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PE Subject Leadership

The role of the Primary School PE Subject Leader is extensive and can include: PE, sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing. Evidence now shows how crucial this area of the curriculum is in enabling pupils to reach their genetic potential across the whole school curriculum.

Ofsted Education Inspection Framework

In a review of Sussex inspection reports, PE, school sport and physical activity were mentioned within all four judgement areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

It is crucial for a school to carefully plan and implement their PE curriculum so that all pupils meet the end of key stage expectations. Check out our useful guide below.

Active Sussex useful guide for schools

Active Sussex has developed a useful guide for schools to use to demonstrate how PE, sport & physical activity fits in with the Ofsted framework, including questions for improvement.

PE Sport Premium - A guide for governors, head teachers and PE subject leaders

A Guide to Leading PE

To support schools, Active Sussex has established a simple checklist for PE subject leaders:

Phase One – Audit and review:

  • Audit your school’s current provision using the Youth Sport Trust’s self-review tool or Primary PE & Sport Premium and Health Assessment Wheel.
  • Audit staff skills in teaching PE to ensure the training available is demand-led.
  • Review your school’s PE and physical activity policies.
  • Review your school’s PE curriculum resources (end of key stage expectations, curriculum map, medium term plans, schemes of work and assessment system).
  • Put in place a tracking system to audit how much activity your pupils are participating in (we have created a free one, email to request it for your school).
  • Review your school’s extra-curricular sport and activity provision.

Phase Two – Implement:

  • Look at the Active Sussex guidance on the Primary PE & Sport Premium (PPSP) to ensure your school is utilising the grant in the best way possible and appoint a governor to oversee this spending.
  • Register for and attend CPD opportunities highlighted through your staff skills audit.
  • In line with government guidance, ensure your school is offering a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity to every pupil, every day.
  • Ensure your school is registered on the School Games website and contact your School Games Organiser who will have information on local School Games competitions and CPD available to your school.
  • Use your activity tracking system to establish who your least active pupils are. Utilise programmes such as Change4Life to target these pupils.

Phase Three – Stay up to date:

Key Resources

Writing a PE Policy PE National Curriculum (KS1/2) The New Inspection Framework: PE, Sport and Physical Activity School Swimming FAQs School Games website afPE Quality Mark Youth Sport Trust School Membership Youth Sport Trust Curriculum Mapping Guide NGB School Sport Support 2023/24 afPE Questions for Designing your Curriculum Swim England Water Safety Clarification

David Taylor

Active Schools Officer

David works with Sussex schools to put PE, sport and physical activity at the heart of school life. He supports and promotes initiatives, programmes and local offers that develop PE, sport and physical activity provision within education.

Email: dtaylor@activesussex.org

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