Experiences of PE tend to split people. For many, the thought of PE brings back some painfully awkward memories and the statistics agree. Whether it’s the lack of inclusion, accessibility of sport, or equipment. Everyone has a story to tell when it comes to PE classes!
Wider variety of activity choices
Primary School children can often become unenthusiastic when the same sports and activities are being used week in week out for PE. The same rule applies to teaching staff too, if they are stuck delivering something they feel uncomfortable with, then this will have a knock-on effect for your pupils’ learning experience.
To solve this, it is so important that the school offer a broad range of sports and activities to maintain interest. This provides children with the opportunity to try new things and ensures there is something for all pupils to enjoy. Not only that, but it helps keep lesson plans and teaching fun for staff, so they can be creative and get the most out of sessions!
Any kind of favouritism
When it comes to picking teams, children may worry. Whether it is the PE teacher choosing favourites or being picked last, leading to children that dread PE, and this can have a long-lasting effect on them. Most teachers and classmates don’t even realise the lasting effect it can have on children.
To ward off favouritism, institute a basic numbering system. Number children at random from 1 to 4 as needed and have them split into the designated numbers. With random groups, all kids get to learn the value of all players, rather than just the most athletic.
PE Equipment
The disappointment that struck children every day, that the hall’s climbing frame was not used in PE left an indelible mark. Mainly because kids love the creativity of using apparatus. Most kids remember simple games played with multi-coloured parachutes, long games of rounders in the summer sun, and using the indoor PE climbing frame alongside benches, trestle tables, and mats.
Even circuit training worked better using PE apparatus. The different levels and endless options for how to interact with equipment were exciting. Kids could explore all the different ways to work across the space too. Imagination was the key ingredient, so exercise was never a chore. Schools should also consider investing in CPD training to make the most of your equipment.
Girls & puberty
64% of girls stop playing sport when they reach puberty and more than a third cite specifically that their periods stopped them from being active at school. For many girls, lack of empathy, pain, draconian rules on PE kit, and time carved out for changing is often key to keeping girls off the field.
Worst still, lack of organisation or accessibility means that girls are acutely aware of the differences. Separate PE lessons in mixed schools are great but without socialising girls and boys in PE lessons, big sports days are not accessible to girls. Flexible kit choices, separate changing areas, and time invested in mixed-gender sport would greatly increase participation.
PE doesn’t have to be a chore. Work with First Step PE and we’ll help you create a lifelong commitment to physical activity! Visit our website to view our services here.
