Curriculum focus Does
From the Olympics to Euro ’16, sport promises to dominate the news this summer, but will this inspire our lethargic charges into action? Perhaps a focus on fun ways to improve tness is the answer. By Nicolette Sheehan
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Just four short years ago Britain won a record-breaking 65 medals at the London Olympics. We were elated, and the much-hyped Olympic legacy promised to boost our sporting prowess and our nation’s health. But just one year later Ofsted found problems with PE
at school: a fth of primary-aged children weren’t learning to swim, a small minority played competitive sport to a high level, and many primary school teachers lacked specialist knowledge. Add into the mix obesity at levels described by the WHO as ‘one of the most serious global health challenges of the century’, and it
might look like the battle for our children’s health is already lost. But in December 2015, the Government released Sporting Future:
A New Strategy for an Active Nation, which emphasises the importance of encouraging active play at younger ages to help develop healthy habits. More importantly, they’re putting their money where their mouth is, with new funding being made available through Sport England (
sportengland.org) – not just for traditional
sports, but for all forms of physical activity. Establishing the purpose of PE in schools
So does PE in schools need a rethink? The National
Curriculum states that PE should give pupils a range of opportunities to become physically con dent and competent, and to support health and tness. It should help children to learn values such as fairness and respect, and also allow them to compete in competitive sports – the importance of which is outlined in the DfE’s physical education
programmes of study for primary and secondary schools. Before children hit the rugby pitch, some basic skills are essential. These are commonly known as ABC: Agility, Balance and Coordination. In the past, most children would have arrived at school able to move safely, but sedentary lifestyles and poor diets are limiting their movement. Indeed, one fth of 4- to 5-year-
olds, and a third of 10- to 11-year-olds are overweight or obese. While these are the key years for creating healthy adults, primary school teachers are busy keeping up with the pressures of academic subjects. Jane, a PE Coordinator at an Essex primary says, ‘Some children in my class need extra reading, and teachers will sometimes take them out in the middle of a game, saying, “It’s just PE”. This irritates me so much! We need teachers to champion PE, but it’s understandable because even though Ofsted might look at your PE provision, it’s the children’s levels of English and maths on which the school is judged.’
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