By Justin Parkinson BBC News education reporter

Experts from clubs provide sporting tips

School sport is something most children either love or hate.

One pupil's invigorating jaunt along a cross-country course is another's slog through the wind, rain and mud.

How can schools cater for those who love sport and want to take it further, while encouraging those would rather sit watching TV to take part?

St Anselm's Catholic School, a secondary in Canterbury, Kent, is one of hundreds taking part in the School Sports Partnership, a government scheme aimed at doing just that.

It employs a member of staff who spends almost half her time visiting five nearby primary schools.

Teacher confidence

She shares her expertise with teachers there and tries to get younger children more involved in exercise and games.

The hope is that 11-year-olds will arrive better prepared for sports.

Jo Andrews, head of PE at St Anselm's, said: "Teachers need to be quite confident to deal with moving bodies and projecting yourself in the right way.

"It's more difficult for a non-specialist to keep all the pupils working at once at the same activity."

Our parents were very supportive throughout. It all seems to be working so far Philip Wicker, head teacher

Meanwhile, visitors from nearby clubs come to St Anselm's to share tips on sports such as rugby, athletics and gymnastics.

Mrs Andrews said: "We offer all the regular sports but we've also got lots of others.

"A table tennis coach visits sometimes and we've offered cheerleading.

"We also have programmes for our gifted pupils, with about one in 10 children going on to compete at district level or above. The clubs find it very, very useful."

'New-age' curling

The government wants 85% of all school-age children in England to do two hours of "high-quality" PE a week by 2008.

So far at St Anselm's, the under-14s are averaging two-and-a-half hours, while the older pupils are doing one-and-a-half.

Pupils are presented with a bewildering array of activities.

Boccia - an indoor version of French boules - is popular, while "new-age" curling, a form of the Winter Olympic sport which takes place on a hall floor rather than ice, is catching on.

Wherever possible, disabled and able-bodied pupils take part together, as do boys and girls.

Traditional and newer sports are both provided

Mrs Andrews said: "Everything seems to be moving upwards and improving. The changes have been dramatic over the last few years.

"The pupils must be getting fitter with the amount of extra PE they are doing.

"We are going to be monitoring the fitness level when they arrive here and tracking it until they leave. That way, they can know how far they have come."

The school has raised �1m to build a sports hall, used by nearby clubs, and a gym is due to open in December.

Head teacher Philip Wicker said: "The inspectors were impressed by the way we've been able to raise the money without help from the lottery.