IN RESPONSE to recent letters regarding school sport, I would like to reassure readers that competition is not the only reason for sports and activities in schools.

One of the main elements of school sports is to encourage young people to lead active, healthy and balanced lifestyles.

Schools in York are working hard to improve the opportunities offered to children and young people both in regards to sporting and physical activity opportunities.

All schools in the city are part of a School Sports Partnership, with the aim of increasing the number of pupils being physically active and taking part in PE and school sport.

Raising participation levels in young people is the primary objective, with competitive opportunities being secondary.

In the past three years, there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of pupils taking part in two hours of PE and school sport in their school.

Schools have been offering a broader range of activities for children and young people during curriculum time.

Examples of some of the non-traditional curriculum additions include rock climbing, mountain biking, trampolining, aerobics, fitness and circuit training, tri golf and multi skills.

These complement the existing statutory curriculum and meet the needs raised during annual pupil consultations.

In addition to changes to the curriculum, schools are providing more opportunities for activities, both competitive and non competitive, traditional and non-traditional, for individuals as well as teams.

This is being done through schemes that encourage physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle such as organised playground games, skipping, and the walk/run/jog a golden mile initiative.

Liz Burkinshaw, PE and school sports consultant, City of York Council, York.