The Importance of Physical Education & Guidance for School Sport!

With the current news of a lockdown coming to an end, a new tier system combined with cold and dark winter nights, is resulting in children being less active at home, which makes it even more important that our schools encourage and support their pupils take part in physical activity to keep children mentally and physically healthy activities throughout theses times.

Public Health Minister Jo Churchill said:

The physical and mental benefits of regular exercise can never be underestimated, and I believe all children should have the chance to have fun playing sport and enjoy high quality PE lessons.

The DfE has published new information on what the new national restrictions mean for education and childcare settings. The good news is that PE can and should continue as it is more important now than ever, but we have extracted some important points from the guidance that we should all consider…

Here’s a list of common Primary School team sports that are deemed permitted because their Governing Bodies have developed safety guidance…

Basketball

Dodgeball

Gymnastics

Cricket

Handball

Hockey

Netball

Football

Rugby

Rounders

Volleyball

For a comprehensive list, and links to Governing Bodies… https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/return-to-recreational-team-sport-framework

Although the usual competitions between different schools cannot currently take place it is important to still create both competitive and non-competitive opportunities and events that each bubble can participate in and collate points in. Here at Physical Education & Active Kids we have been ensuring throughout our work educating children in physical education that pupils should be kept in consistent groups and all equipment used is thoroughly cleaned between each use by different individual groups.

Sport England’s Chief Executive Tim Hollingsworth said:

It’s never been more needed given the massive disruption to children’s activity levels during lockdown with our research showing that the number of children meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines has dropped from almost 47% to 19%. Over a third of children say they’ve had less chance to be active because schools are shut. When schools return this welcomed investment will play an important part in encouraging schools to prioritise PE and getting children active - which is important not just for their physical health but because being active builds mental resilience and helps children achieve academically.

Outdoor sports should be prioritised where possible, and large indoor spaces used where it is not, maximising natural ventilation flows (through opening windows and doors).

We are also proud to share that many of our client schools are safely running curricular activities where children are able to spend more time with their friends in their bubble and take part in more physical activities to help their wellbeing.

We have also worked hard to produce our PEAK @ Home Physical Activity Diary to ensure when your child and pupils are isolating at home they can keep active!

Stay safe, The PEAK Team!