The results of the 2009/10 survey, which questioned well in excess of 21,000 schools, displayed an encouraging increase in the number of young people taking part in three hours of PE and school sport, raising to 55 per cent in 2009/10, an increase of five points on 2008/09.

The survey also showed a "very large increase" in the number of pupils participating in intra-school competition - up from 69 per cent in 2008/09 to 78 per cent in 2009/10 - which Grainger admitted was a huge bonus for his organisation.

He said: "The results of this survey today demonstrate the great strides that schools across the country are taking to improve PE and school sport and make it the best it can possibly be for young people.

"It’s great to see the significant increase in the number of young people taking part in intra-school competition. 

"Whilst there’s also been an increase in inter-school competition we recognise that there is more that can be achieved in this area.  

"As an example, just three weeks ago we staged the Sainsbury’s UK School Games, a great celebration of what is being achieved by the most talented young people, and it’s fantastic to see competitive sporting opportunities starting to reach schools across the country."

Grainger (pictured) added that he believes that the new School Olympic-style competition announced by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Michael Grove in May will help create further opportunities for children to get involved in sport.

He said: "We’re also delighted to support the new Government in its plans for a School Olympics-style competition and hope this can drive even greater opportunities for young people to compete.

"The structure of school sport has been transformed in recent years and the network of 450 school sport partnerships is the envy of the world. 

"We are proud to see the hard work of Partnership Development Managers, School Sport Coordinators and Competition Managers being recognised with these encouraging results.

"However, with less than two years to go to London 2012, the greatest sporting spectacle in the world, there is still much to do. 

"These figures should act as a catalyst for further developments in school sport to ensure the momentum that is being gained continues. 

"It’s extremely exciting to be contributing towards a lasting legacy for the London Olympics and Paralympics and it’s vital that everyone involved in the future of school sport remain focused and committed to this task."

The annual School Sport Survey is conducted by an independent company (TNS-BMRB) on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE).

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