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Experience the Beijing Olympics through the SkillsActive blog

Ever wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics games?

SkillsActive launch play on toolkit to improve playworkers’ english and maths skills

SkillsActive, in partnership with Move On Up, has developed a toolkit for playwork employers called Play On.

SkillsActive offers free activepassports for playwork

As a result of a generous donation from the Association of Playworkers (England), SkillsActive is launching a UK wide Bursary scheme and is also offering both qualified playworkers and playwork students who are members of the Community and Youth Workers’ Union (CYWU) the opportunity to have a FREE activepassport for one year subject to criteria.

Play England appointed to support national play strategy.

The Department for Children Schools and Families has appointed Play England to help deliver the Government's vision for the future of play.

Paul Bonel meets with DCSF to highlight issues and discuss best outcomes with EYFS

This week SkillsActive met with the Children’s Minister, Kevin Brennan and other members of the Department for Children, Schools and Families to raise concerns over the Early Years Foundation Stage.

£81m to prepare teachers for the 14-19 overhaul

Schools Minister Jim Knight has today announced £81 million of additional funding to prepare teachers to deliver the new Diploma.

Celebrating excellence in working with children and young people

Children and Young People Now is seeking entries for this year’s Children and Young People’s Services Awards, run in association with the Children’s Workforce Development Council.

National Skills Academy for sport and active leisure: Designed by the industry for the industry

This week the government gave the go ahead for a National Skills Academy for sport and active leisure. Led by employers in the sport and leisure sector and coordinated by SkillsActive, the skills academy will open later this year and will mean significant changes in our sector.

Government gives green light to sports skills academy

The government has made a significant commitment to improving skills by giving the go ahead on a National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure today. This move promises to improve the standard of coaching across England, giving athletes training towards the 2012 Games an even better chance of claiming a place on the medals podium.

SkillsActive Publishes 2006/2007 Annual Report

Today, SkillsActive publishes its 2006-2007 Annual Report. The report is available online, allowing readers to easily navigate electronically through the report.

Government ministers presented with activepassport for Playwork

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Rt Hon Ed Balls MP and Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan have been presented with an activepassport for Playwork following a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Play.

SkillsActive meets with Ed Balls and Kevin Brennan

SkillsActive joined Ed Balls and Kevin Brennan to discuss the government’s commitment to play at yesterday’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Play.

Development of new National Occupational Standards in Sport and Play surfaces

SkillsActive, working with partners such as The Sports and Play Construction Association, South Birmingham College and Edexcel, is proposing the development of a set of National Occupational Standards at Level 3 for Sport and Play surfaces.

Ministers to discuss the Children’s Plan and play

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Rt Hon Ed Balls MP and Children’s Minister Kevin Brennan will be addressing the next meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on children’s play.

DCMS funding supports SkillsActive position as playwork Sector Skills Council

SkillsActive have been successful in their bid for funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and have been awarded £350,000 per year for the next three years.

SkillsActive welcomes next steps for children's workforce

SkillsActive warmly welcomes the release of the latest addition to the Children’s Workforce Strategy and, in particular, the emphasis on specific measures to develop the playwork workforce.

Ministers call for Fair Play

Children across the country are to get an extra 3,500 play areas and 30 local authorities will get £2 million each to build new adventure playgrounds, as part of £235m Government investment on children’s play.

SkillsActive publish Diploma magazine for young people

A recent poll at a Schools’ Science Conference found that 86 per cent of 14 to 18 year-olds would like to know more about the new Diploma in Society, Health and Development (SHD) being launched in September this year. And, at SkillsActive we’re on the case.

Bursary available for coaches and leaders

Time is running out for applications for this year’s Nancy Ovens Bursary, which offers up to £2000 for voluntary coaches and leaders in the active leisure and learning sector.

An update on Playwork and the Early Years Foundation Stage

SkillsActive has been working closely with the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which is due to be introduced in September 2008.