Physical education has lost its way in many schools in England and needs to refocus on improving student wellbeing rather than just sports skills. The statistics show declining student health with many not meeting activity targets or having poor body image or mental health issues. As physical educators, the job is to provide a strong foundation for lifelong student health and wellbeing, not just facilitate exam success or identify sports talent. The physical education curriculum needs to make activity meaningful, relevant and fun for all students to improve physical literacy and instill a passion for lifelong participation.

1. Physical Education
has lost its way
in many schools across
England
Will Swaithes
Head of Physical Education & Achievement
#PECatalYST

2. PE cannot be to
blame for the
health of the
nation..

3. PE teachers cannot
shoulder the burden
of the lifelong
wellness of all

4. But because PE can be a
part of the solution..

5. Surely that’s where the job needs to focus

6. Core PE is the right of every
young person…

7. So, every young person has
the right to receive what
they need from it

8. If 33% of 10 year olds
are overweight or
obese

9. If just 14% of boys &
8% of girls
are meeting daily 60
active minute targets

10. If 33% of 11-16 year
olds have poor body
image

11. If 10% of 5-16 year olds have a mental illness

12. If 25% of 15 year olds
have suffered from
bullying

13. If 20% of 15 year olds are self
harming

14. If 48% of 11-17 year
olds don’t get
enough sleep to
function at school

15. Then does your PE offer
provide the solution?
We know it could…
Surely it should?

16. What is the Power of your Physical Education
offer?

17. The biggest barrier to
achievement...
Increased social,
emotional and physical
wellbeing
Increased attainment
and achievement
is declining pupil
wellbeing

18. There are pockets of great practice,
and some individuals get what they
need from curriculum PE…

19. but we must re-imagine
its purpose and
re-consider where it can
have the greatest impact!

20. To provide all
students and all
schools with what
they deserve from our
subject

21. If PE provision has been
effective then all students
will have achieved a love for
lifelong participation in
physical activity

22. We owe it to all students to become
physically literate…

23. to develop the motivation,
confidence, physical competence,
knowledge and understanding to …

24. value and take
responsibility for
engagement in physical
activity throughout their
lifespan.

25. As physical educators
our job is not just to
facilitate PE
examination success
for the few…

26. not just to provide career pathways into sport
for a few…

27. … not just to recognise
and direct talent in
sport for very few…

28. not just to provide
competition
opportunities for the
same few…

29. not just to provide physical activity
during the timetable to break up the
week…

30. But to provide a strong
foundation for lifelong
health, wellbeing and
engagement of all

31. So, why is that calling so exciting and important?

32. If PE can successfully deliver and promote
active lifestyles for all then it has earned its
place in every school

33. But is that even
possible?

34. Is it possible in your
school?

35. We talk a good game but can we
deliver?

36. Is your PE offer more obsessed by
activities (sports)than outcomes?

37. We are all different,
does your current offer
excite & engage all?

38. How far do you go to personalise your offer?

39. So, you are a
well qualified PE
professional

40. desire
who needs to be
able to diagnose
as well as technique

41. instil passion and
belief
who needs to be able to
as well as skill

42. why
who needs to be
able to connect
the
as well as the how

43. If we get our PE
curriculum right at
primary…

44. young people will be physically literate

45. If we get our PE curriculum right at
secondary…

46. young people will remain physically literate and become
increasingly socially and emotionally literate

47. PE teachers have the
power to discover,
differentiate and
diagnose the how…

48. As long as we remember the why
Increased social,
emotional and physical
wellbeing
Increased attainment
and achievement

49. Enjoy what you do…
Make the most of what you can do!
PE has the Power to make a difference
Enjoy making the difference

50. physical education
Mission statement for 21st Century
ALL young people, find
Meaningful, relevant and fun
physical activity,
which improves their physical
literacy and wellbeing,
today and for life

51. Is your PE offer ‘world leading’?
Is your PE department ‘world leading’?

52. Have you followed the 10
steps to a world leading PE
department?

53. Will Swaithes
Head of Physical Education & Achievement
#PECatalYST
Read my tips on creating a world leading
PE Department here