Schools must spot stars

Schools must raise their game to spot potential sports stars of the future, education watchdog Ofsted warned today.

Specialist sports colleges need to get better at identifying under-achievers who may have what it takes to become professionals in sport, a report from the inspection body said.

Schools are urged to improve their talent-spotting methods and teachers must do more to get the best out of pupils who could excel. Good schools organised plenty of pre- and after-school sports sessions, had strong links with local clubs and helped pupils organise homework schedules around the demands of training.

The report on the national school sports programme intended to develop high-fliers was released to coincide with the Olympics. It also comes as Liberal Democrats spelled out their proposals for a fitter Britain which included replacing traditional PE teachers with specialising sports experts.