Why should you use PE Award in your school?

For many of you looking at introducing this course to your schools you will be asked by the leaders of the school, why?

What is the value to learners?  To results?  And to the school as a whole?

In many cases the decision will be financial, and we have tried to limit this impact as much as possible. PE Award is a summative assesment and as such should be funded by the qualifications or curriculum fund, not from departmental budgets. The administration, moderation and printing costs have been significantly limited to increase uptake and support the award being used nationally.

The learners

  • Increase physical wellbeing through physical adaptations. Learners stay fit and healthy for longer, and continue to exercise into adulthood if they enjoyed the provision afforded to them in compulsory education.
  • Improve wellbeing and contribute to a positive metal health.
  • ‘Greater sports participation in school is associated with higher levels of wellbeing.’ (Activity alliance, 2023)
  • Quantifies the sporting ability for prospective jobs in the sport/leisure industry.
  • Positive body image for those who continue to engage in exercise.
  • Provides a physical certificate of competence in PE.
  • The Chief Medical Officers' physical education report in 2019, stated that physical activity has many benefits ‘included improved learning and attainment; managing stress; self-efficacy; improved sleep; the development of social skills; and better social interaction'.

Results

  • Although this award does not currently contribute the P8 or school value added scores, the greater the uptake the increase likelihood that this will be an option in the future.
  • Exercise boosts academic success, as reported by the youth sport trust (2022) “Physically active children are happier and achieve higher levels of academic attainment than their less physically active peers”.
  • We believe this course will positively support curriculum reviews and curriculum design at KS4. It will provide more purpose in delivery and rigour around assessment in order to build the curriculum around the end of unit summative assessment. We believe this will be commended by any deep dives conducted by Ofsted.
  • The use of assessment in KS4 PE has long been required but not implemented by curriculum leaders. This course provides a valid assessment framework to be used with minimum effort and disruption to the current provision.
  • Sets a national standard for KS4 sport competence.
  • The March 2024 non statutory guidance for PE. Clearly outlined benefits in term of attainment. They stated that performing regular physical activity is ‘associated with improved attainment, concentration, and learning’.

The School

  • Validates the capital culture provided to learners through PE by assessing their wider knowledge and soft skills such as communication and confidence.
  • Builds the soft skills essential for life beyond education in order for learners to enter society as well-rounded citizens.
  • Will motivate learners to remain engaged in core pe rather than opt out and revise for core subject. Obviously, there is a place for additional work for the qualifications that schools are measured against, but this should not be at the expense of high-quality PE that improves the wellbeing of the learners.
  • Many learners absolutely love PE and sport. This award provides a recognised pathway for them to continue to compete throughout ks4 and then ks5. Please see the PE Certificate for more information on this at PEcertificate.com.
  • It has been known since the introduction of organised sport into the private schools some 140 years ago that giving secondary aged students an outlet through sport can reduce the disruption in lesson and around school. Research evidence continues to highlight the potential of sport and physical activity in facilitating positive social behaviour, reducing risky behaviour, and providing opportunities for the development of healthy and supportive peer friendships. Youth Sport Trust (2022.)
  • Provide a competitive outlet for learners who need time away from their studies.

For more information on the benefits of PE on education and academic performance and to support your own justifications further please have a look at these articles:

Fit for learning: what research says about the benefits of sport | Teacher Network | The Guardian

How physical exercise makes your brain work better | Education | The Guardian

Exercise is more precious than ever. So let’s stop scaring kids off PE | Anna Kessel | The Guardian

References

Activity Alliance (2023) Benefits pf physical activity in schools. Available at: Benefits of physical activity in schools shown in new research (activityalliance.org.uk)/ (Accessed January 2024).

Cairney J, Dudley D, Kwan M, Bulten R, Kriellaars D (2019). Physical literacy, physical activity and health: toward an evidence-informed conceptual model. Sports Med. 2019;49(3):371–83.

Department for Education (2013). National Curriculum in England: PE programmes of study. Available at: National curriculum in England: PE programmes of study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)/(Accessed January 2024).

Non-statutory guidance (March 2024). Enhancing physical education provision and improving access to sport and physical activity in school Available at: Enhancing physical education provision and improving access to sport and physical activity in school (publishing.service.gov.uk)/ (Assessed March 2024).

Ofsted (2013) Beyond 2012 – outstanding physical education for all. Available at: Beyond 2012: outstanding physical education for all - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)/(Accessed January 2024).

Ofsted (2023) Levelling the playing field: the physical education subject report. Available at: Levelling the playing field: the physical education subject report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)/(Accessed January 2024).

UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines (2019). UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines. Available at: UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines (publishing.service.gov.uk)/ (Accessed March 2024).

Updated School Sport and Activity Action Plan & Refreshed Primary PE and Sport Premium Guidance 2023.) Avaliable at: Updated School Sport and Activity Action Plan & Refreshed Primary PE and Sport Premium Guidance - Association for Physical Education (afpe.org.uk)/ (Accessed January 2024).

Youth Sport Trust (2018). What we do – youth sport trust. Available at: What we do - Youth Sport Trust/ (Accessed January 2024).

Youth Sport Trust (2022) New government report reveals reduction of PE in schools. Available at: New Government report reveals reduction of PE in schools - Youth Sport Trust/ (Assessed January 2024).

Youth sport trust (2022). The role and value of physical education and sport in alternative provision schools. Available at: the-role-and-value-of-pe-and-sport-in-alternative-provision-schools-final-report-september-22.pdf (youthsporttrust.org)/ (Accessed January 2024).