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Inclusive PE lessons where every child shines


One of the biggest challenges facing teachers today is balancing the many different needs of children in their class. This challenge extends to PE – how can you manage the diverse needs and abilities while encouraging and supporting all children to develop a lifelong love of physical activity?

As part of our PE Specialist Support package, we work with teachers to explore how the school’s PESSPA offer can be made as inclusive as possible, giving every child a good experience and supporting them to become confident, capable movers.

Here are our top tips that will get you started on your journey to creating an inclusive curriculum:

Understand Individual Needs:

At the start of the school year assess the abilities and needs of each child. This can involve observing them during activities, speaking with parents and caregivers, and reviewing Educational and Health Care Plans (EHCP’s) or any other relevant
documentation.

Differentiate activities:

Plan activities with varying levels of difficulty. For example, in a throwing and catching lesson, provide options such as using larger or softer balls, or allowing students to stand closer or further away based on their ability. Alternatively allow students to choose between different activities that meet the same learning objectives. This empowers students and helps them engage in a way that suits their abilities.

Using STEP (Space, Task, Equipment, People) principle to help with differentiation. Use equipment that can be adapted for different abilities. For instance, provide lighter rackets, larger balls, or accessible sports equipment for students with physical disabilities. Simplify or change the rules of games to ensure inclusivity. For example, modify a game of tag to include a “safe zone” for students who need frequent breaks.

Inclusive Teaching Strategies:

Combine verbal instructions with visual aids like demonstrations, cue cards. This helps students who may struggle with one mode of communication to understand the activities. Where appropriate incorporate technology, such as apps that assist with movement or coordination, or videos that demonstrate activities clearly. Try using the inclusion spectrum to deliver activities (parallel, modified, separate, open activities).

Collaboration and Support:

Work with PE specialists (such as Go Well), teaching assistants, and therapists to plan and teach PE lessons. You can involve pupils too by asking them to support each other. This can help build social skills and foster an inclusive environment.

Create an Inclusive Culture:

Use inclusive and positive language and celebrate diversity in abilities. Encourage your pupils to recognise and support each other’s achievements.

Continuous Feedback and Adaptation:

After each lesson, reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Make necessary adjustments to future lessons based on these reflections. Remember to ask for feedback from your pupils – what activities did they enjoy, what didn’t they enjoy and what challenges did they face? Use this feedback to adjust your lesson plans.

Further information

Ongoing CPD or training will help you stay up to date with best practice and new strategies. Make sure you sign up to receive our newsletter and look at our CPD packages.

Sport England has resources for supporting Children and Young People to be active

Take a look at Youth Sport Trust’s Inclusive Sports Programme

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Choosing the right physical activity

How important is it that children do the right type of physical activity for their age and developmental stage?

Making sure children have positive experiences at an early age can help build the foundations for an active life. Choosing the right activity for your class’s developmental stage can be the difference between your pupils thriving and developing a lifelong love of being active or turning
their back on sport and physical activity forever.

At Go Well, we focus on making sure a child’s experience of physical activity is fun, positive and confidence building, whether that is within the school PE curriculum or in extra-curricular sessions. This means they’re more likely to want to be active in the future.

As teachers, you understand the profound impact physical activity can have on a child’s health and wellbeing. However, it’s not just about keeping them moving, it’s about ensuring they take part in activities that align with their developmental and growth stage.

Choosing the right activity to develop a life long love of being active

Different activities and sports call on different capabilities and understanding. Participating in well pitched, differentiated sessions that provide appropriate challenge and need to make independent decisions allows children to develop these skills. It also keeps them engaged and interested, and reduces the risk of injury or burnout. And, as said above, it sets a good foundation for a lifelong love of physical activity.

Children’s bodies and brains are constantly changing and growing. Different children hit different developmental milestones at different ages. An activity that might be appropriate for a ten-year-old could be too advanced or even harmful for a five-year-old. An activity suitable for one ten-year-old may not be appropriate for another ten year old. As a teacher, you play a vital role in assessing your class’ physical abilities and steering them towards activities that develop their bodies, minds and motor skills appropriately.

Prevent overwhelm and disengagement

Physical activity can be hugely beneficial for cognitive and emotional development. However, if a child is overwhelmed by the demands of a sport, or can’t understand the rules involved, it can lead to frustration or anxiety. If the child struggles to keep up or feels out of place, it will make it harder for them to connect with peers and develop positive social relationships. This is why we advocate a core task based curriculum in Primary, with a holistic approach to Physical Education; developing transferable skills to prepare for learning specific sports as they approach and transition into Secondary education.

Encouraging children to take part in activities that match their developmental stage leads to children feeling a sense of achievement. When children feel successful and competent in an activity, they are more likely to stick with it over time and enjoy being active. By guiding children towards appropriate activities you will help your pupils to excel and lay the foundation for a lifelong love of movement and healthy living.

Three things to think about when selecting activities for your PESSPA programme:

  1. When selecting an activity area think about the cognitive and emotional demands involved. Matching children with activities that challenge them appropriately can develop resilience, problem-solving skills and emotional regulation.
  2. Help children find activities where they feel supported and included, a sense of belonging and camaraderie. This will build their social skills and enhance their self-esteem.
  3. Recognise and celebrate the diversity of your pupils – their different interests and abilities – by offering a wide range of sports and activities that cater to different developmental stages, skill levels and interests. This will create a supportive and empowering environment where every child can thrive.

Get support

At Go Well offer a broad and balanced programme of activities for schools. The different sports and activities that we have carefully selected for each age group give your pupils the greatest chance of experiencing success and, most importantly, are fun for them to take part in.

We help teachers develop a staged whole-school approach to PE, school sport and physical activity, ensuring their pupils are introduced to new activities when they are physically, cognitively and emotionally ready. This means children discover a love of being active which is so important to long-lasting health and wellness.

Further information

Find out more about our different programmes and services

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    How can PE help children manage their emotions?

    Children enjoying PE lesson at school

    Young children feel a range of emotions but often find it difficult to interpret, process or know how to express them. This can lead to challenging behaviour in class, it can also affect a child’s confidence and control, their sense of self and their resilience.

    PE lessons and physical activities are valuable tools to help children learn how to manage their emotions. During PE lessons or sport, children can also learn how to set simple goals and see how they are making progress which builds their confidence in their abilities.

    Here are seven ways you can use PE to help children learn how to understand and manage their emotions.

    Using PE lessons to reduce stress

    Endorphins are your body’s ‘feel-good’ chemicals. You produce them to block pain or stress, which puts you in a positive state of mind. Physical activity helps children to release stress hormones. Running around, throwing balls, jumping and skipping – any physical activity that makes children work hard and increases their heart rate in a safe and enjoyable environment gives children the chance to let off steam, release tension and flood their bodies with the happy chemical, endorphin.

    Building social skills through PE 

    PE, team sports and group activities help children learn how to work together, how to communicate effectively and help to develop their social skills. This can help build a sense of connection and belonging. Skills such as negotiation, co-operation, appreciating strengths of those around you, making positive contributions within a team, all build positive self esteem and empathy, allowing a better chance of coping with big emotions in a positive and confident way.

    PE lessons can help to regulate emotions

    Mindfulness activities such as yoga allow children to connect with their bodies and become more aware of how physical activity can affect their emotions. It can also help to calm their mind and regulate their emotions.

    Building confidence through PE

    Success – whether it is mastering a new skill, improving their own performance, achieving a goal or working as part of a team – can boost confidence and self-esteem by providing opportunities for children to experience a sense of accomplishment and pride.

    Coping with challenges

    Taking part in PE lessons, sports or physical activities often involves facing challenges and overcoming obstacles. Learning how to persevere increases resilience and makes a child better able to deal with and respond to wider life challenges.

    Using PE to teach emotional intelligence

    Sports and games provide opportunities to teach values such as sportsmanship, fair play and respect for others. Learning to manage emotions when taking part in a competition or event, and cooperating with others also helps children develop emotional intelligence.

    Don’t forget to play

    Having fun is so important, don’t forget to include time for play in the school day. As well as giving children a break from academic learning, play is an essential part of their development and supports emotional wellbeing whilst also contributing to a positive balanced mood.

    Creating a warm, positive and inclusive environment where children feel safe and supported, is crucial to enabling children to learn and understand their own feelings and those of others. 

    More information

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    Leaders aren’t born, they’re made

    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.

    Why is it important for 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.

    Using PE lessons to develop leadership skills

    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.

    More information:

    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.

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    Boosting the quality of PE in your school

    Children running and playing games

    Ofsted’s latest report on the quality of PE in primary and secondary schools recognised the importance of PE for children in helping them to build a healthy, active lifestyle. However, it concluded that ‘many schools are failing to meet the breadth and depth of the national curriculum’ and that only a small number of schools have a clearly defined and broad PE curriculum.

    What does this mean?

    In its research, Ofsted found that schools were focused on providing activities and sports rather than looking at how they could develop the skills pupils need over time to achieve the ambitious goals of the National Curriculum.

    If a school has a strong focus on a specific activity area or sport, its pupils are potentially missing out on opportunities to practise and refine their skills and build their competence and confidence, before moving on to more complex skills. It also highlighted that a large number of teachers were unable to identify these gaps and adapt content to help children to embed knowledge and competence.

    Why is it important to have a clearly defined and broad PE curriculum?

    By setting a clear objective, considering the needs and abilities of the class then choosing the most appropriate activities and sports, you can ensure all pupils are supported, have a positive experience of PE and the opportunity to achieve their goals. 

    Putting in a plan where specific sports and activities work together and follow on from each other will also help your pupils to progress and develop their skills, understanding and experience as they move through the curriculum. Sequenced curriculums with clear intent are key.

    What can you do to increase the breadth and depth of PE in your school?

    Start off with reviewing your PE curriculum. Is it clear, comprehensive and well-defined? Does it meet the needs of the national curriculum? Is it well sequenced across a key stage? Does it allow the children to be continually developing key skills?

    What is your plan for introducing different activities and sports? How will you do this and when? Is there a planned sequence that allows for development and progression as well as enabling pupils to experience different sports so they can find something they enjoy and do well in?

    Are you providing opportunities for pupils to learn about the importance of being active and the wider benefits of PE?

    You can make a start on developing PE in your school by working your way through these questions. However, given lack of confidence was cited as a reason why many schools weren’t achieving their potential when it came to PE, bringing in some external support could help to kick start the process. 

    We can help

    Trainee teachers receive just six hours of PE training. Additional professional development is therefore essential to ensuring pupils get to experience and enjoy high quality PE in your school. 

    This is where Go Well can help. Gareth and Annalisa, our curriculum experts work with schools to help PE leads to develop a well-constructed, needs-driven curriculum that matches the aims of the national curriculum and supports pupils to lead healthy active lives.

    We can audit your provision, work with you to develop a strategic plan, advise on implementation, look at your action planning and develop assessment opportunities. These sessions can be 1-2-1 or with small groups. 

    It is our mission to inspire more children to lead active, healthy lives. We would be delighted to work with you to develop and enhance PE in your schools. Get in touch to talk about how we can help you move PE in your school forward.

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    4 ways to boost concentration skills with physical activity

    Children doing yoga

    A survey has found that most primary school teachers think children’s attention spans are getting shorter and classroom behaviour has deteriorated since before the Covid pandemic. 

    So, what can you do to help your pupils to build up their attention spans?

    Use physical activity to boost concentration

    Studies have shown that children who are physically active have better attention spans than those who are not. 

    Researchers discovered that students who took part in moderate physical exercise before taking a test that measured their attention spans performed better than those students who didn’t exercise.

    Young people with higher levels of fitness also demonstrate superior concentration when compared with less fit children.

    How does exercise improve attention span?

    Having a regular physical activity routine helps build the brain’s ability to ignore distractions. Exercise also helps to increase blood flow to the brain. This in turn fires up your neurones and promotes cell growth, particularly in the hippocampus. Being active releases endorphins too, which have mood-boosting effects and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. All these factors can help boost attention spans.

    A good night’s sleep is also essential for cognitive function. Exercise and being active improves sleep quality, meaning children are more likely to arrive at school rested and refreshed. 

    How active do children need to be to improve attention span?

    The amount of physical activity needed to improve attention span varies from child to child. However, most experts, including the Chief Medical Officer, recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to- vigorous physical activity each day. This doesn’t need to be completed all in one go. Breaking it down to short active bursts throughout the day and encouraging children to be active outside of school makes this goal achievable. 

    Just 20 minutes of exercise before studying can improve concentration and help children focus on learning. 

    4 ways to improve attention span:

    • Add active bursts to the day. Short bouts of moderate physical activity have been proved to boost concentration and mood immediately following the exercise. 
    • Shake up the timetable. Consider adjusting the timetable so subjects requiring more thought or greater concentration levels take place after a break period and encourage active play during playtime so children arrive back in class reinvigorated and ready to learn.
    • Join a team. As well as building teamworking skills, there is some evidence that exercise which requires decision making can have added benefits in terms of building concentration as the brain is engaged during these kinds of activities. So team games like football and netball could be particularly beneficial.
    • Try mindfulness. Researchers have found that just 10 minutes of meditation a day can help improve focus and extend attention span and you can see improvements after just four days.

    More information

    Add active bursts to the school day with Fit for Life

    Try out Team Up to help children manage their wellbeing

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    Six top tips to motivate children to be active every day

    Children enjoying PE lesson at school

    While as adults we may struggle to fit regular bouts of physical activity into our lives, children naturally have more energy and typically spend more time in physical activities such as playing and running around so it should follow that they are easily achieving the recommended 60 minutes daily activity goal. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.

    Increases in technology and screen time (which can lead to children spending more time indoors), a reduction in time for PE or games in schools, a lack of safe and accessible places to play and fewer opportunities to be active in their community all mean less time moving around. 

    Encouraging children to make physical activity a regular and usual part of their day is important for a number of reasons. It can help children maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity as they get older. It also helps with attention and concentration leading to improved behaviour in class and academic performance. 

    Physical activity can improve a child’s quality of life – helping them to sleep better, feel better and be more independent. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and self-esteem and provides opportunities to socialise and make friends.

    Importantly, if you are regularly active as a child, you are more likely to be active as an adult. Supporting children to be active in childhood really does set them up for life.

    How can you motivate children to be active?

    Over the last decade, we have worked with hundreds of schools and thousands of children, sharing ideas and supporting children to move more every day. Here are our top six ideas:

    1. Lead by example: Children often look up to adults and are more likely to engage in physical activity if they see the adults around them being active.
    2. Make it fun: Children are more likely to be physically active if it is enjoyable for them. Incorporating games, challenges and other fun elements into your PE sessions can help motivate pupils to take part.
    3. Share details of sports clubs, teams or physical activity classes: Joining a sports team or going to a club can provide a structured environment for children to be active; it can also give them a sense of accomplishment.
    4. Provide positive reinforcement: Create a sense of achievement and reward children when they reach a goal. Setting small, achievable goals and praising them when they reach those goals can help build a sense of accomplishment and can motivate children to continue to being active. Use praise, stickers, or small prizes.
    5. Build on their interests: Children are more likely to be motivated to be active if the activity aligns with their interests. Ask your pupils what they enjoy doing and incorporate these into your PESSPA programme. You could also try running a ‘multi-sport taster session’ where they can try out different activities to discover new interests. 
    6. Vary what you do: Having a varied and vibrant PESSPA programme will prevent it from becoming tired and stale for your pupils and for you. Regularly refresh what you do – include a mix of traditional and more modern sports and games or incorporate challenges to keep children engaged and excited.  

    We have a number of programmes that can help you to motivate your pupils. Our Personal Best Challenge and Active Ted will help encourage children to make being active part of their everyday life while you can use our Coaching Days to give pupils a taster of new sports and activities and help you to understand what appeals to your class and gets them moving.

    Get in touch for a chat about how we can help motivate your pupils to move more.

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    Don’t fear the call – tips to get your PE Ofsted ready

    teacher helping child play hockey in PE lesson

    If your school has a strong PESSPA programme, your headteacher might put it forward for a ‘deep dive’ as part of the inspection visit. While this may cause a sharp intake of breath, you don’t need to be afraid. 

    We have spent many years helping PE leads, teaching staff and head teachers prepare for Ofsted visits and reviewing PE in schools. Here are our top tips to make sure your PE, school sport and physical activity is Ofsted-ready whenever the phone call comes.

    Have a long-term plan 

    Set out your long-term vision for PE, school sport and physical activity within your school. This is a helpful tool to share with an Ofsted inspector and can help guide your discussions. 

    Your plan is also extremely useful within your day-to-day work. It should be a working document, not something gathering dust on the shelf. Review it regularly and track your progress; make amendments as challenges or opportunities arise. This will show inspectors how you are actively monitoring your PESSPA and ensuring it is on track to achieve your vision.

    When putting together your long-term plan make sure you involve all stakeholders – staff, children, parents, and governors. Be ready to talk about how you consulted and involved these groups and incorporated their suggestions and ideas. 

    Some questions to answer when putting your plan together:

    • Why you have designed your curriculum in the way you have (what is it based on)?
    • How are you ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum?
    • How have you used the National Curriculum aims in planning your curriculum?
    • How does your curriculum meet the needs of different pupils – SEND, most able, disadvantaged?
    • What do you want children to know, understand and be able to do by the time they leave in Year 6 and why?
    • How does your curriculum link with your school’s values?

    This vision will demonstrate clear ‘Intent’ and allow you to discuss this in a way that is bespoke to your individual school setting and your children’s needs. Being able to discuss how you construct your curriculum and why, what works well, how adaptable it is will show the “implementation” of your vision.

    Chronicle staff development

    Keeping your skills and knowledge up to date is important in ensuring your pupils enjoy high-quality progressive PE, as is making sure your colleagues are confident to deliver sessions independently. 

    A staff and self-development plan is useful evidence for Ofsted and will mean your PESSPA continues to progress and improve. 

    • Undertake a skills audit of teaching staff in your school, identify what could be improved and how
    • Keep a record of what CPD you and your colleagues have received – this includes INSET training sessions, externally-led CPD, membership of organisations such as AfPE and reading their magazine.
    • Capture what difference training has made – both to teaching staff and to pupils.

    Monitor the impact

    You have a plan but how do you know if it is working? Regular reviews and assessments, formal and informal, will help you understand the impact your plan (and PESSPA) is having on your pupils.

    You need to know where you are starting from and where you would like to get to. Don’t just collect data for the sake of it. Make sure it connects with your vision and will give you meaningful information on which you can base decisions.

    • Set a base, benchmarks for progression and a goal
    • How are lessons differentiated? Is this effective?
    • How do you monitor progression? When do you know that children are ready to move on?
    • How do your results compare to national averages?

    Being able to discuss the ‘Impact’ of the curriculum and wider offer in place and evidence this is key.

    Further help

    We run bespoke training to help schools prepare for a deep dive into PE. Our PE specialists spend half a day working with the subject leader, either virtually or in school, to build confidence and prepare for PE to be an inspection focus. This support ranges from ensuring all paperwork is in place, analysing statistics, a mock Q&A following the trail of a child’s development within the subject or looking at how your PESSPA is impacting other curriculum areas.

    We also offer a supportive visit to audit your PESSPA and identify areas for development. This service includes a one-day visit to your school from one of our Education Team who will talk with your subject leader, Head Teacher and children regarding PE and observe PE taking place. You’ll receive a report detailing the strengths of PE and areas for further development. Our PE Health Check can be used as evidence of Sport Premium impact. 

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    How to choose an external partner for your PESSPA programme? 

    Sports coaches on playing field

    People tell us that a lack of confidence is the biggest challenge they face when teaching PE. Trainee primary school teachers receive just six hours of PE training before embarking on their teaching career. Using external specialists or coaches can be the perfect solution. A good school sports specialist or coach will help build knowledge, understanding and, most importantly, confidence. To get the most from this kind of support, it is important that you find a delivery partner that works WITH you and helps you to reach your goals. 

    Here are three things to consider when selecting a school sports partner or coach:

    Set out what you want to achieve

    What are your goals for PE, school sport and physical education (PESSPA) in your school? What support do you want your school sports provider or coach to provide? How will this support help you achieve your goal?

    Be as specific as possible eg. I want to increase pupil activity levels across the whole school by introducing regular daily active bursts to make being active a normal part of everyday life. I need support to help my colleagues understand the importance of physical activity and how active bursts can support their non-PE lessons.

    Knowing your goals will help you to choose the right partner, it will also help your partner understand where you are and where you want to get to. They will then be able to advise on the best approach or the best solution. You will also be able to keep track of how you are progressing towards your goal.

    Evaluate the different options

    You will likely find a number of different solutions to what you want to achieve. Take time to look at the provider/solution to understand the support that they can provide and how it will be delivered (eg online, face-to-face, mentoring, session delivery, idea sharing etc). Talk to schools that have used the provider previously. Check staff qualifications – how up-to-date are they with their training, for example.

    Review the contract

    Don’t get caught out by the small print. Make sure the contract outlines what service will be provided, who will be responsible for what, what does the sports provider/coach provide and what do you/the school need to make available? Check payment terms are in line with school/academy payment terms. What would happen if the provider/coach is unable to attend a session for some reason? 

    Further information

    Take a look at the services and support that we provide for schools

    Guidance and advice on how to spend PE and Sport Premium for primary schools

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    Is variety the answer to a lifelong love of being active?

    children in playground climbing

    Think back to your most successful PE lesson. The chances are it was when all children were engaged and involved, working together, supporting each other and having fun. Successful PE is when everyone takes part and learns something to aid their progress. 

    Making sure all pupils have a positive experience of PE can sometimes be a challenge. Children who are good at sports can get frustrated with those less able, and those less skilled can resent being made to take part. 

    Our enjoyment, or not, of PE can have a long-lasting impact on our lives. 

    What difference does enjoying PE make? 

    A report from Youth Sport Trust highlights that a positive experience of PE, school sport and physical activity at school lasts a lifetime. Parents who have happy memories of PE and school sport are more likely to be active as adults and encourage their children to be active. This is the latest in a long line of research looking into the long-term impact of PE at school. 

    A study by Middlesex University also found that bad experiences of physical education at school can put some adults off exercise for decades. It also found that it can lead to some people experiencing ‘corporeal dissociation’ – a state of physical detachment which potentially results in adult inactivity and making particular life choices such as opting for sedentary jobs and hobbies. 

    How can I ensure all children enjoy PE?

    We are all different; finding out the kind of activities that your pupils enjoy will help you create a broad and balanced PESSPA programme that the whole class wants to take part in.

    Letting children try out different sports and activities can significantly increase the chances of them finding something that they enjoy, succeed in and/or that interests them. Children who have good balance might realise they enjoy climbing, cycling, dance or gymnastics. Those with good hand-eye co-ordination could find they shine at games – frisbee, cricket or tennis, for example.

    Including a variety of traditional and more modern sports and games will keep your children excited about moving. Trying out different activities means they can discover and develop new skills. It keeps them interested, stimulated and challenged too.

    How can I add variety to my PE lessons?

    Go back to basics. Look at your PE curriculum and make sure it includes different activities, sports and games that focus on developing different skills – running, jumping, throwing and catching, balancing, agility and co-ordination. 

    Provide opportunities for children to have a go at both competitive and cooperative physical activities. 

    You can also use external providers to boost your curriculum offer. Our Coaching Days can broaden children’s experiences of different sports and activities by providing exciting taster sessions in the chosen activity. This could spark a half-term of engagement in the activity on your playground or inspire pupils to join community clubs.

    Providing a platform for children to realise their sporting potential in a safe environment will help them to remain active throughout their life. 

    Further information

    Get in touch to find out more about our Coaching Days

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    PE – more than keeping fit

    Children doing PE with teacher

    Do you find PE, school sport and physical activity generally come off ‘second best’ at your school? Lessons or activities are cancelled to make way for school photo shoots, plays, exams or tests…

    While many people understand the benefits of being active in terms of our physical health, less well understood are the wider benefits and how PESSPA can be used to help children to develop key skills and values. These wide-ranging benefits are often overlooked and there are few schools that capitalise on the full potential that PE offers as an educational tool.

    What are the wider benefits of PE?

    A subject frequently dominated by traditional sports such as football, netball and athletics; teams and fixtures, there can be a limited understanding amongst the school staff team as to the wider benefits of PE.

    PE can support all-round development, from intellectual to emotional. Children learn how to negotiate, collaborate, compromise, make decisions, lead and communicate. PESSPA also supports resilience and determination. 

    How to overcome challenges, plan, set goals, adapt, assess and manage risks can all be learned, developed and practised through PE.

    3 ways to use physical activity to support personal development 

    Here are three activities that you can use to support personal development in your school:

    Teamwork, collaboration and leadership: Divide the class into groups and give each group the task of creating their own game, physical activity routine or exercise session. As well as working together to decide on the structure of the game or activity, they would need to decide on rules, what equipment is needed and plan how they will explain and deliver the session. 

    Empathy and kindness: Have the group form a circle (or two circles if a large group), players must pass the ball across the group to someone. The person throwing the ball must say something kind about the person they are throwing to. Everyone must be passed the ball and the ball must continue to move so there is limited time to think. 

    Self-motivation, determination and resilience: Set a series of short challenges or activities eg squats, burpees, lunges, torso twists. Start a timer and each child counts how many of each activity they can do in 3 minutes. They record their results and repeat the challenges weekly to see if they can perform more repetitions in the 3 minutes. 

    Further information

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    The six dimensions of wellness pt 3 – Social Wellness

    Community people working together

    Welcome to our third blog in our series exploring the six dimensions of wellness. Being ‘healthy’ isn’t just being illness or disease-free; good health encompasses our physical, mental and social wellbeing. Practising positive habits every day will help us to achieve optimum health and wellness.

    What is social wellness?

    The social dimension of wellness is how we connect with others and the part we play in our local community – the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Positive and satisfying relationships are fundamental to our physical and emotional health.

    We are living through a time where non-face-to-face interactions have grown substantially. We spend more time interacting with people digitally and as a consequence, we are becoming more isolated. Social connections and interactions affect our brain health and numerous studies have shown the better our relationships, the longer and happier our lives are.

    Feeling part of something bigger than we are is also important to our social wellness. Being ‘socially well’ means playing an active part in the world around you, actively making this world a better place by caring for the environment, enabling important relationships and friendships to flourish.

    It also means believing that contributing to the common good – our community – is better than thinking only of ourselves, and that it is better to live in harmony with others and nature.

    Social wellness involves developing positive interpersonal skills, growing a strong support network and playing an active role in your community.

    What can you do to develop your ‘social wellness’?

    • Talk to friends and family regularly – make an effort to keep in touch and check in on those in your support network. Be there when they need you and they will be there for you when you need them.
    • Get involved in school, work or other community activities – being part of a community unites us, it makes us feel as though we are part of something greater than ourselves. It gives us an opportunity to connect with people, to work towards a goal and it makes us feel safe and secure.
    • Learn about the social issues in your community – understand the challenges your community faces and ask yourself what you can do to help.
    • Deal with conflict respectfully – as we have discussed in previous blogs, conflict isn’t always a bad thing; the world would be a less exciting or interesting place if we all agreed all the time. However, how we respond to conflict is the crucial point. Nurturing your communication skills, practising active listening and looking at our body language can all help to manage conflict positively.

    Further information:

    Find out more about the six dimensions of wellness at the National Wellness Institute

    Read our previous blogs on the subject: Pt 1 – Physical Wellness and Pt 2 – Emotional Wellness

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    Six Dimensions of Wellness – pt 2: Emotional Wellness

    children exercising

    It is International Stress Awareness Week and therefore, a very relevant moment to return to the Six Dimensions of Wellness.

    A number of studies over the past year (since lockdowns began) have noted that people are experiencing significantly more stress, anxiety and depression. Women and young people have been found to be the most affected.

    Understanding wellness and the different elements of our lifestyle that contribute to it, will help you make healthy choices each day and support your pupils to do the same.

    Six areas, or ‘dimensions’, make up overall wellness – physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and occupational – these complement each other to provide a well-balanced, vital and prosperous life.

    What is ‘emotional wellness’?

    In our first blog we looked at physical wellness – eating well, sleeping well and exercising regularly. In this blog, we will explore emotional wellness; the awareness of, and the acceptance of a wide range of feelings in yourself.

    We all experience emotions. Successful emotional wellness is your ability to recognise, accept and manage your feelings. To do this, we need to reflect on how we feel, accept these feelings rather than deny them and know when to ask for help.

    Being aware of and understanding your emotions and also respecting how other people feel is crucial to being ‘emotionally well’. This empathy and understanding will help you to develop relationships with other people that are based on a foundation of trust and respect. You will be able to take on challenges, take risks and recognise that conflict can be healthy.

    Emotional wellness follows these two principles:

    • It is better to be aware of and accept our feelings than to deny them.
    • It is better to have a positive, rather than a pessimistic, approach to situations and challenges.

    How can you support your pupils to develop emotional wellness?

    Teach healthy ways to relieve stress.

    • Take a deep breath – stress often causes us to take short shallow breaths. Take a moment to slow down and breathe in through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth as you count to 10.
    • Find a friend – a good way to beat loneliness, sadness or boredom (all of which make us stressed) is to be with someone else.
    • Talk about it – bottled up emotions cause stress. Sharing how you feel with someone else can help clear your mind. Make sure your pupils know who they can go to if they need to talk; either a teacher or teaching assistant, or maybe a nominated buddy in an older class.

    Teach children that positive thoughts can make a difference.

    Approaching a challenge or problem with a positive mindset means you think the best is going to happen, not the worst. What can we do to help develop a positive attitude?

    • Surround ourselves with positive people – negative people can increase our stress levels and make us doubt our ability. Make sure we have positive, supportive people who we can depend on for helpful feedback and advice in our lives.
    • Follow a healthy lifestyle – exercise positively affects our mood and reduces stress. Aim to exercise for about 60 minutes a day, this can be broken up into shorter chunks e.g. 6 lots of 10 minutes each day.
    • Practice positive self-talk – here are some examples of how to change the language we use:
      • I’ve never done it before / This is the chance to learn something new
      • It’s too complicated / I’ll try looking at it a new way
      • This won’t work / I can give it a go and see if it will work
      • It’s too difficult / I will try
      • No one talks to me / I will talk to them
      • I’m not going to get better at this / I will try again

    Include social and emotional learning in your teaching.

    Social and emotional learning (SEL) aims to improve how pupils make decisions, interact with others and manage their emotions. SEL helps children to:

    • Identify and manage their feelings and behaviour and reach out for help where necessary
    • Build and manage healthy relationships
    • Have self-control
    • Resolve conflict
    • Be self-aware
    • Handle and overcome difficulties
    • Make good decisions
    • Build resilience, self-esteem and confidence
    • Think positively about themselves and how they perceive the world around them
    • Recognise and prevent poor mental health

    Further information

    Read our last blog on Physical Wellness

    You can find out more about the Six Dimensions of Wellness from the National Wellness Institute

    See the Education Endowment Fund for examples of social and emotional learning interventions

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    Six Dimensions of Wellness – pt 1 Physical Wellness

    children yoga

    We believe passionately in the power of physical activity to improve lives. Over this term we will be looking at how we can develop healthy minds and bodies through the six dimensions of wellness.

    Firstly, what is wellness and why is it important?
    Wellbeing? Physical health? Happiness? What does ‘wellness’ mean?
    Often misunderstood and confused with similar terms, wellness is actually an active process that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. It is the state of being healthy in body and mind by practicing healthy habits on a daily basis.

    What are the six dimensions of wellness?

    Six areas of our lifestyle make up overall wellness – physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and occupational. These complement each other to provide a well-balanced, vital and prosperous life. By making simple healthy choices each day, we will move further towards achieving wellness.

    We want to help you develop your own wellness and that of your pupils. In this first blog in the series, we’re exploring physical wellness.

    Physical wellness

    Physical wellness is an important contributor to our overall wellness. This means eating well, sleeping well and exercising regularly. Feeling physically good also enhances self-esteem, aids self-control and provides a sense of direction.

    How can you support your own physical wellness and that of your pupils?
    At Go Well, we want to impact on the wellness of 1 million people by 2025. One of the ways we are doing this is by introducing children to a broad range of healthy activities. Encouraging children to develop healthy habits whilst they are young will improve the quality of their life as they grow.

    Here are three ways that will help you to achieve optimal physical wellness:

    Eating healthily – a healthy diet where you eat a range of healthy foods, particularly fruit and vegetables, is beneficial for short and long-term health. It will also help keep you full and satisfied throughout the day. Change for Life has some great tips on nutrition and what a healthy diet looks like, as well as meal ideas and food swaps. You can also download a free food scanner app which makes it easier to find out what is really in the food and drink that you’re buying.

    Exercising regularly and consistently – being active every day helps to strengthen your body and mind. Children aged 5 – 18 should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a day (this means you should be breathing faster and feeling warmer). Children should take part in a range of activities across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones. Spreading active periods out across the day will also help to reduce the length of time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving. You can get more information about activity guidelines different kinds of activities on the NHS website

    Getting adequate rest – sleep is critical to good health and helps us to feel better physically and mentally. Not enough sleep can lead to difficulties in concentrating and a higher likelihood of getting ill. Children aged 6 – 12 years need 9 to 12 hours sleep every night. Quality sleep is essential for children’s growth and development, it will help them to do better at school, they will be able to react more quickly to situations, learn more effectively and solve problems more easily. The Sleep Charity has resources to help support children to get a good night’s sleep.

    Find out more

    You can find out more about the Six Dimensions of Wellness from the National Wellness Institute

    Read our introductory blog

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    Inequalities in Activity Levels: The Importance of Physical Activity

    As educators, we all know the power of movement. It is not just about physical health; it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. Unfortunately, recent data paints a concerning picture of children’s physical activity levels in England. Over half (53%) of children and young people are not meeting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

    That is a statistic that should give us all pause.  To add to this:

    • Activity levels among children aged 7-9 are the lowest (40%).
    • Only 44% of children from the least affluent families are meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines, compared to 55% of children from the most affluent families.
    • The gender gap in activity levels is already evident in infant school (Years 1-2).

    We have work to do.

    We know dedicated primary teachers and headteachers are doing fantastic work in challenging circumstances. Time and resources are precious commodities, and the pressure to deliver across the curriculum is immense. However, let us take a moment to consider why prioritising physical activity matters so much:

    ● Active Children Learn Better: Research consistently shows that physical activity improves children’s cognitive function, attention and engagement in the classroom. It is a win-win; active bodies lead to active minds, ready to absorb knowledge and tackle new challenges.

    ● Building Life Skills Through Movement: Beyond academic performance, physical activity is a powerful tool for developing essential life skills. Teamwork, resilience, self-discipline, and communication – all these qualities are fostered on the playground, in an active classroom, and on the sports field. These are the skills that will help our children thrive, not just in school, but in life.

    ● Mental Wellbeing and Social Connection: In today’s world, supporting children’s mental well-being is more important than ever. Physical activity is a proven mood booster, reducing stress and anxiety while fostering a sense of belonging and connection. We all want our children to feel happy, confident, and connected – physical activity can play a vital role in achieving that.

    Go Well: Your Partner in Creating Active Opportunities 

    At Go Well, we understand the challenges facing primary schools. Our mission is to empower you to create a school environment where movement is celebrated, where physical activity is seamlessly integrated into the school day, and where every child discovers the joy of being active.

    How can we help?

    ● SMILE Days: Inject a burst of excitement and energy into your school with a Go Well SMILE Day. These fun-filled activity days introduce children to a wide range of sports and activities – from Dragonball to Hoopstarz to Quidditch. It is a fantastic way to broaden horizons, spark new passions, and create positive memories that will last a lifetime. Find out more here.

    ● Specialist PE Teacher Support: Whether you need help with curriculum planning, assessment or developing teacher confidence, our team of highly qualified PE specialists is here to provide tailored support. We work collaboratively with you to identify your school’s specific needs and develop strategies that maximise the impact of your PE provision.

    ● Move with Max: Move with Max is an evidence-based movement program aimed at EYFS that teaches fundamental movement skills through readily available storybooks. Supporting children to move well in the early years sets the foundation for a lifelong love of physical activity. We offer various support packages to help you maximise Move with Max in your school, including taster sessions, bespoke support for your EYFS teacher and a full-day CPD course.

    Let Go Well be your partner in building a brighter, healthier and more active future for your pupils. Together we can make a real difference.  

    Contact info@go-well.org for further information on the services available to your school or MAT or view our brochure here.

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    10 steps for sports day success 

    children running in field

    Sports day…eagerly looked forward to by many, it can also be dreaded by others, including you. How can you make sure it is a day to remember for everyone, for all the right reasons?

    A break from the usual school day, sports days can be a really rewarding experience. By choosing the activities carefully, you can help to build teamwork and cooperation, with children supporting and encouraging each other. It can boost confidence and provide an opportunity to develop social skills. Bringing the whole school together also helps foster school spirit and pride, and, of course it is a great way to promote and encourage physical activity.  

    However, organising the event can feel daunting – being responsible for delivering an event involving multiple classes and possibly parents and teachers…Here we outline our 10 steps for success.

    10 steps for a successful sports day

    1. Set the date and time well in advance. Check the school calendar to make sure there are no clashes and the date works for everyone involved – teachers, pupils and parents. Decide how long it will last and what role your colleagues and parents will play – will they participate, supervise, spectate only?
    2. Decide on what you want to achieve from the event. Is it a celebration of physical activity and personal achievement or do you want to unite your school and encourage pupils to work together? Setting an objective will help you organise your plan for the day.
    3. Decide on the activities. Reflect on your objective for the day and choose activities that will best help you achieve your goal. Consider involving pupils in choosing a theme and/or deciding on what activities to include. 
    4. Decide how teams will be formed. Will you divide pupils into teams or will you allocate that task to a student group, perhaps with some guidance? Make sure each team has a mix of abilities and talents.
    5. Consider how you will recognise success. Is it first past the post or are there rewards for effort, contribution, teamwork, creativity? Who will decide on the winners? How will you recognise success – certificates, medals?
    6. Assign responsibilities. Who will be present – teachers, parents, volunteers? Who will be able to assist and how? Could they help to set up the venue or activity stations? What about managing the different activities so the event works in carousel form? Who will provide first aid or supervise groups/teams as they move between activity stations or wait for their turn?
    7. Plan the day. What will happen when? What is the order of activities? How long do you need to allow for each event? By setting out your timings you will ensure you allow sufficient time, children won’t be hanging around getting bored and you (and they) won’t be rushing.
    8. Plan for safety. Ensure you have a nominated first aider, and that everyone knows who this is and where they will be during the event. If you are allowing parents on site for the event, make sure they know where they need to stand/sit and if there are any areas that are out of bounds. 
    9. Consider the weather. Do you need a wet weather option – either a scaled back event that takes place in the school hall or fewer/shorter activities outside? If it’s hot, do you have water readily available? Make sure children arrive prepared with sunblock and hats.
    10. Promote the event. Posters in school, announcements in assembly, reminders during classes, practice days…these all help to create excitement and encourage everyone to get involved.

    Sports day is a special moment in the school calendar. As well as being a chance to show that there is more to school life than academic success, it gives children who struggle to achieve elsewhere the chance to shine. But most importantly, it is an opportunity for a school to live out its values.

    Further information

    Your School Games

    Twinkl sports day resources and decoration ideas

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    What does being a PE lead in a Primary School mean?

    PE teacher in playground with children

    You are starting your first teaching job or have been assigned as PE lead for your school – what does being a PE lead mean and how can you make sure you do the best for your children and the school?

    Being the PE lead means you have overall responsibility for the PE, school sport and physical activity (PESSPA) programme in your school. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will deliver every PE lesson or extra curricular activity, but  you will be responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the school PESSPA offer. You will also be responsible for supporting staff to deliver a high quality curriculum, assessing children accurately and look at embedding physical activity opportunities into the school day.

    What does a PE lead do?

    One of your responsibilities will be to develop a broad and balanced curriculum that has a clear intent relative to the need of your children. Ensuring that all staff delivering PE lessons are aware of the long term plan and have access to training and support if required to deliver high quality lessons will be key. As a PE lead, your role may be much wider than the requirements of the curriculum – facilitating a well structured programme of physical activities, exercises and sports opportunities to encourage the physical development, fitness, health and wellbeing of children in the school. While the specifics of the role will vary between schools, here are the main areas that you may be responsible for:

    1. Developing and facilitating the schools PESSPA offer in accordance with national guidelines
    2. Working with other teachers to ensure physical education/activity is integrated into the broader school curriculum
    3. Providing professional development and training (directly or indirectly) to other teachers in the school to help them deliver high quality physical education
    4. Monitoring PESSPA sessions to ensure that they are appropriate for the age and ability level of the children
    5. Ensuring the school’s PESSPA programme is inclusive and accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities or background
    6. Organising a programme of extra curricular activities
    7. Developing inter and intra school competitions opportunities
    8. Introducing children to a variety of new activities and sports, widening their experiences
    9. Helping children understand why it is important to be active every day
    10. Developing a positive attitude towards physical activity and sports, and encouraging children to take part in exercise and sport regularly
    11. Managing a budget – identifying the best ways to spend the School Sport Premium funding to have the biggest impact

    Being a PE lead is an immensely rewarding role and often is much bigger than people realise. You have the chance to make a significantly positive difference to the physical, social and mental health and wellbeing of the children in your care. If done well, this will have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of future generations.

    You will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the school as well as contacts within the local community.

    More information

    Chilton Academy, Chilton, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 0PT

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