Fit for Girls Evaluation- Interim Report 2

The first Interim Report from the evaluation was published in early 2010 and presented findings from a baseline survey of S2 girls in all secondary schools across Scotland. This second Interim Report presents baseline findings from a survey of Physical  Education staff and Active School Coordinators in all secondary schools across Scotland undertaken during the beginning of Year 2 of the programme. In addition, baseline findings from focus groups with low active girls undertaken during Year 1 of the programme are also presented.

Delivered to all secondary schools across Scotland over a 3-year roll out period, the core focus of the Fit for Girls programme is to bring about sustainable change in schools that builds a positive future for girls’ participation in physical activity.

This is achieved through providing an interactive workshop for practitioners to allow them to share and exchange necessary knowledge, tools and skills to be able to successfully consult, plan and implement positive PE experiences and sustainable physical activity programmes for girls in the school setting, and build stronger links with community provision.

By the end of September 2010, 327 of the 372 mainstream secondary schools and 13 of the 27 Additional Support Needs (ASN) secondary schools were engaged in the Fit for Girls programme. A national evaluation of the programme is being conducted by the Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU) at the University of Edinburgh.

A mixed method approach is used and findings here are from questionnaires to gather baseline findings from Physical Education staff and Active Schools Coordinators and group discussions with girls.

The overall aim of the evaluation is to assess the impact of the Fit for Girls programme on levels of participation in PE, physical activity and sport among secondary school girls. Overall, responses were received from 297 of the 372 mainstream schools and 12 of the 27 ASN schools across Scotland, giving total school response rates of 80% for mainstream schools and 44% for ASN schools.