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Rules on school playing fields in England 'relaxed' Rules on school playing fields in England 'relaxed'
(about 4 hours later)
Ministers have relaxed rules that set out the minimum outdoor space schools have to provide pupils for team games.Ministers have relaxed rules that set out the minimum outdoor space schools have to provide pupils for team games.
Secondary schools in England previously had to provide pitches ranging from 5,000sq m to 54,000sq m, depending on the number of pupils.Secondary schools in England previously had to provide pitches ranging from 5,000sq m to 54,000sq m, depending on the number of pupils.
But it has emerged schools must now only provide "suitable outdoor space".But it has emerged schools must now only provide "suitable outdoor space".
Critics claimed it would make it easier for schools to sell off playing fields but the Department for Education said "strict rules" were still in place.Critics claimed it would make it easier for schools to sell off playing fields but the Department for Education said "strict rules" were still in place.
The criteria for agreeing a sale includes ensuring that there are enough remaining playing fields for local schools and communities and that sale proceeds are re-invested preferably in outdoor sport facilities.The criteria for agreeing a sale includes ensuring that there are enough remaining playing fields for local schools and communities and that sale proceeds are re-invested preferably in outdoor sport facilities.
It comes amid a debate about how best to build on the legacy of the London Olympics following the success of Team GB, who won their best haul of medals since 1908.It comes amid a debate about how best to build on the legacy of the London Olympics following the success of Team GB, who won their best haul of medals since 1908.
The government was criticised earlier this month when it was revealed the education secretary had approved the sale of more than 20 school sports fields in the past two years.
And the scrapping of a target for state schools to provide at least two hours of PE a week, has also drawn criticism.
'Jeopardise future''Jeopardise future'
Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, an umbrella organisation for sports bodies, told the Guardian it undermined future provision of sport.Tim Lamb, the chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, an umbrella organisation for sports bodies, told the Guardian it undermined future provision of sport.
"Without a minimum requirement, the danger is that short-term expediency could jeopardise the ability of schools to deliver sport for future generations," he said."Without a minimum requirement, the danger is that short-term expediency could jeopardise the ability of schools to deliver sport for future generations," he said.
"We're confident that the Education Funding Agency understands the need to require schools to retain a minimum playing field space because the previous requirements were one of the key tools for preventing the sale of land.""We're confident that the Education Funding Agency understands the need to require schools to retain a minimum playing field space because the previous requirements were one of the key tools for preventing the sale of land."
The new regulations were laid in Parliament last month but have only just come to light.The new regulations were laid in Parliament last month but have only just come to light.
The DfE said that in the next 12 months it would publish guidance with a formula setting out the minimum outside space schools would have to provide - although it had yet to consult on it.The DfE said that in the next 12 months it would publish guidance with a formula setting out the minimum outside space schools would have to provide - although it had yet to consult on it.
'Firmly in place''Firmly in place'
A spokesman said: "These regulations set out for the first time that all schools must have access to suitable outdoor space for both formal PE lessons and for outdoor play.A spokesman said: "These regulations set out for the first time that all schools must have access to suitable outdoor space for both formal PE lessons and for outdoor play.
"By removing pages and pages of bureaucratic restrictions we will make it easier and cheaper to provide the extra school places that this country needs so urgently."By removing pages and pages of bureaucratic restrictions we will make it easier and cheaper to provide the extra school places that this country needs so urgently.
"Our extremely strict rules on playing fields will stay firmly in place. This government has only approved sales if the school has closed, has merged or if equal or better facilities are being put in their place."Our extremely strict rules on playing fields will stay firmly in place. This government has only approved sales if the school has closed, has merged or if equal or better facilities are being put in their place.
"We will be consulting later this year on how the new guidelines should be implemented.""We will be consulting later this year on how the new guidelines should be implemented."
An estimated 10,000 playing fields were disposed of between 1979 and 1997 when the Conservatives were in power.An estimated 10,000 playing fields were disposed of between 1979 and 1997 when the Conservatives were in power.
Figures from the DfE also show 213 playing fields were approved for sale between 1999 and April 2010, under the last Labour government.Figures from the DfE also show 213 playing fields were approved for sale between 1999 and April 2010, under the last Labour government.
But shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove was "weakening the standards Labour introduced to protect school playing fields" after ending the party's targets for sport in schools. However, shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove was "weakening the standards Labour introduced to protect school playing fields".
"Parents want reassurances that these changes won't allow more to be sold off," he said."Parents want reassurances that these changes won't allow more to be sold off," he said.
"If we are to ensure the Olympic legacy, the government must ensure that schools provide a decent amount of space for competitive sports and play.""If we are to ensure the Olympic legacy, the government must ensure that schools provide a decent amount of space for competitive sports and play."
He also pointed out that the government had scrapped a target for state schools to provide at least two hours of PE a week.
The government was also criticised earlier this month when it was revealed the education secretary had approved the sale of 21 school sports fields in the past two years.
But the DfE later said that 14 of the fields were of schools that had closed, four were sites that became surplus when existing schools amalgamated, one was surplus marginal grassland on the school site and the proceeds were invested in the school library and better sports changing facilities.