afPE Launches Innovative Pilot Placing PE at the Heart of the School Curriculum

15/11/21

The Association for Physical Education (afPE) set to deliver pilot in partnership with United Learning.

18-month programme will see PE trialled as a core subject across a selection of the group’s primary and secondary academies.

Today, Edward Timpson CBE MP, Chair of the afPE Taskforce, announced the launch of a new pilot to review the impact of PE as a core subject on the school curriculum.

Over the next 18 months, the action-research pilot will see up to twenty United Learning primary and secondary academies reframe PE as a core subject, alongside English, maths and science, as opposed to its present position as a foundation subject.

Whilst there is no regulatory difference between the two, the ‘Test and Learn’ initiative will explore what an increase in expectations in PE looks like in practice, and ultimately assess the impact this has upon young people’s physical, social and mental health.

As part of the pilot, afPE and United Learning will be working in partnership with staff across the participating schools to review their existing provision, and support them in developing a broad and balanced PE curriculum that is at the heart of school life. This will involve ensuring PE time is adequate and protected in the curriculum, and that all schools are meeting a required set of standards.

The initiative follows calls from across the sector to give PE, sport and physical activity a greater focus in schools, including the Physical Education Expert Group and the afPE Taskforce. In its 2021 report on theFuture of Physical Education, the Taskforce suggested the subject needs clearer goals and priorities that focus on the holistic development of every child and young person.

Sue Wilkinson MBE, afPE CEO said:

“afPE is delighted to be partnering with United Learning in order to test and learn from physical education being a core element of the school’s curriculum. It is critical that we embrace change, test various curriculum models, learn from the pupils and the workforce to secure the best outcomes for children and young people. As a result they will be confident, motivated and enabled. We know that change isn’t easy and it can often be uncomfortable but we will embrace this together to make a difference and share the learning to inform policy and practice. We would like to put on record our thanks to the United Learning Schools and their CEO, Sir John Coles for being trailblazers and courageous in trialling this work for afPE.”

Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, said:

“Across our schools, we know how important it is to ensure our young people not only receive an enriching education, but can develop the skills and knowledge they need to lead happy, healthy and successful lives. PE, as well as the arts, challenges our young people to test their resilience and endurance, giving them opportunities to achieve things they did not believe themselves capable of achieving. This pilot is testament to the value we place on a broad, balanced and ambitious PE and sport programme that inspires all our pupils and brings out the best in everyone.”

Edward Timpson CBE MP, Chair of afPE Taskforce, said:

“The evidence is clear that PE, as the only subject that educates through the physical domain, is central to children building an active and healthy lifestyle, developing other key life skills and improving their academic attainment.

 

“This exciting pilot provides the opportunity to demonstrate why PE should rightly sit at the heart of school life and become a lifelong habit for all children whatever their background.”