Meeting the Physical Education Challenge in Inverclyde
A new plan to ensure every school pupil in Inverclyde enjoys the benefits of physical education has been launched.
The PE Framework sets out guidance on lesson planning, advice from Education Scotland, sample lesson plans and support from experts for every school in the area to deliver two hours of PE in primary schools and two periods in S1 to S4 classes a week.
Education & Communities Vice Convener Councillor Martin Brennan said: “Physical education plays a vital role in improving the health and fitness of our children and young people as well as their personal and social skills. We are able to offer a wide range of activities including sport, dance and outdoor learning which go a long way to teaching the lessons needed for leading a fulfilling, active and healthy lifestyle. We have invested heavily to provide the best facilities money can buy in nearly all of our schools so it is important to ensure we match that excellence with the best possible teaching resources and support available.”
The PE Framework has been developed from work being undertaken nationally and with the appointment of a Physical Education Lead Officer in Inverclyde to support schools in achieving their PE target.
This includes providing guidance on how to plan PE effectively and on monitoring and assessment; providing training and mentoring so that all pupils receive quality PE; developing staff confidence, particularly in primary schools; raising the profile of PE and its value within the curriculum and helping to develop links between early years, primary and secondary school in line with the national 3-18 curriculum.
Inverclyde’s Sports Champion Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld said: “It is almost a case of back to school as far as physical education is concerned for many children and young people. In this age of technology, tablets and the internet it is a challenge to re-acquaint them with the fun and health benefits taking part in sport can bring. We are now delivering on the national PE targets in all of our secondary schools and all but two of our 20 primary schools so from that point of view Inverclyde is achieving a great deal. However we cannot afford to be complacent and the new PE Framework puts in place the pieces of the jigsaw to allow teaching staff to deliver lessons with confidence and to standards that will benefit our children and young people for the rest of their lives.”
In 2012 the Scottish Government announced the Physical Education Support Fund to assist with achieving the target. Education Scotland and sportscotland worked with local authorities to support schools to achieve the target locally. The investment nationally amounts to £5.8 million over two financial years.
The Primary PE Framework includes:
• Guidance on effective planning
• Education Scotland Advice
• Sample lesson plans
• Supporting documents
The planner looks at teaching PE through 7 key concepts:
Athletics (Travelling) run, jump, throw, Highland Games
Outdoor & Adventure orienteering, climbing, team-building activities
Aesthetics dance, gymnastics
Possession basketball, netball, football, rugby, hockey
Central Net & wall tennis, badminton, table tennis, volleyball
Target golf, bowling, boccia, curling
Striking & Fielding kwik-cricket, baseball, softball, rounders, kick ball, T-ball
Every primary school will receive one hardcopy of this resource and every primary teacher will receive an electronic copy. This is a positive milestone in Inverclyde’s journey to deliver 2 hours/2 periods of quality PE for every pupil.
Photo: (L to R) Lynne Cooper, PE Lead Officer Inverclyde, Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, Councillor Martin Brennan and Christine Combe, PE Champion, St Mary’s Primary School, Greenock with P4 pupils at the school.