We believe that with the right training and support, and by being given the opportunity, every child has the potential to be a leader. We also believe that PE lessons can be a valuable tool in helping children to develop leadership skills.
Being a leader isn’t just about motivating a team on a pitch; children with strong leadership skills are more likely to be successful in other areas at school, within their chosen career and in personal relationships.
When children are given opportunities to lead, they learn to trust their judgment and make decisions. It helps a child to find their voice and build their confidence.
This confidence and self-belief is carried across into other areas of school and home life. Studies have shown that children with strong leadership skills tend to perform better academically as they are more engaged in their learning and are more likely to seek help when needed.
Leadership skills can also help children to develop important social-emotional skills such as teamwork, communication and conflict resolution. They learn how to work together to achieve a common goal and how to communicate effectively.
PE lessons provide a myriad of opportunities for pupils to take on leadership roles, to practise teamwork and collaboration, to support each other and resolve conflicts. Here are our top three tips on how to effectively use PE lessons to develop leadership skills in your pupils:
Incorporate different activity types – The flexible nature of PE lessons means you can incorporate different activities or challenges so children learn how to think critically and make decisions on the spot – how can you get a piece of equipment from one end of the room to the other? or what is the best way to defend against an opponent?
Assign roles – With warm-ups, cool-downs and team activities, there are a plethora of ways for pupils to take on a leadership role and for them to build their confidence in their ability to lead others. Other roles such as equipment monitors, team captain, timekeeper can develop a sense of collective responsibility and respect for others.
Provide training and support – creating a positive and supportive environment where children feel comfortable taking on a leadership role or practising their skills is vital. This includes giving children the right training so they develop the knowledge and the insight to be successful in the role.
By encouraging children to be PE leaders, you are helping them to develop important life skills. They will also be positive role models promoting physical activity and encouraging their peers to join in, and they will create a more inclusive and positive environment for everyone.
Try Go Well’s Leadership Package – Children will learn the vital skills of leadership and access a programme of tasks to put those skills into action. They can gain awards throughout the year for tasks completed and hours volunteered. Get in touch to find out more.
Chilton Academy, Chilton, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 0PT
