Change the National PE Curriculum to promote Fitness and Well-being, Not Competition
The Issue
My daughter has recently begun her journey into secondary education, and I am amazed that the Physical Education (PE) curriculum at secondary school doesn’t appear to have changed in essence in last 30 years, since I attended school. And crucially, the dislike that many of my peers felt towards aspects of PE then are now being echoed by my daughter and her friends. This really surprised me, as so many other aspects of children’s lives have improved dramatically in the intervening years. Yet, the existing PE curriculum seems stagnant in time, primarily focusing on competitive sports like netball, hockey, football and rugby.
It fails to mirror the fitness activities that many children routinely enjoy and choose to participate in outside of school. There are many activities which require little or minimal equipment (beyond a sports hall and a teacher) such as yoga, pilates, running, couch to 5K, aerobics, Tai Chi, Zumba, martial arts and self defence classes.
Competitive team sports do not appeal to all, particularly the pupils who experience the joy of movement outside of competition, more so girls and those with disabilities. Evidence points out that a staggering 41% of girls in Key Stage 3-4 reportedly dislike PE as it currently stands (Youth Sport Trust study, 2023). This unnecessary emphasis on competition poses a great risk: turning off pupils, particularly girls, from keeping fit and undermining their long-term physical health and well-being.
Shifting the focus of the PE curriculum from competitive Sports to fitness and well-being can make a substantial difference. The need for this change is now. It is essential that our children perceive physical activity as a source of enjoyment, not a stage for competition. They must understand the importance of fitness as an integral part of a healthy life.
Team sports are still an important aspect of school life for some pupils and can continue to be enjoyed as an extracurricular activity (as they are now for those pupils in the school sports teams). But they should not be part of compulsory physical education.
The focus should be on keeping fit, which will benefit all children far more, now, and in the long run.
Please sign this petition to push for a revised National PE curriculum that prioritises fitness, health awareness, and well-being over competition. The future of our children's health depends on it.
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The Issue
My daughter has recently begun her journey into secondary education, and I am amazed that the Physical Education (PE) curriculum at secondary school doesn’t appear to have changed in essence in last 30 years, since I attended school. And crucially, the dislike that many of my peers felt towards aspects of PE then are now being echoed by my daughter and her friends. This really surprised me, as so many other aspects of children’s lives have improved dramatically in the intervening years. Yet, the existing PE curriculum seems stagnant in time, primarily focusing on competitive sports like netball, hockey, football and rugby.
It fails to mirror the fitness activities that many children routinely enjoy and choose to participate in outside of school. There are many activities which require little or minimal equipment (beyond a sports hall and a teacher) such as yoga, pilates, running, couch to 5K, aerobics, Tai Chi, Zumba, martial arts and self defence classes.
Competitive team sports do not appeal to all, particularly the pupils who experience the joy of movement outside of competition, more so girls and those with disabilities. Evidence points out that a staggering 41% of girls in Key Stage 3-4 reportedly dislike PE as it currently stands (Youth Sport Trust study, 2023). This unnecessary emphasis on competition poses a great risk: turning off pupils, particularly girls, from keeping fit and undermining their long-term physical health and well-being.
Shifting the focus of the PE curriculum from competitive Sports to fitness and well-being can make a substantial difference. The need for this change is now. It is essential that our children perceive physical activity as a source of enjoyment, not a stage for competition. They must understand the importance of fitness as an integral part of a healthy life.
Team sports are still an important aspect of school life for some pupils and can continue to be enjoyed as an extracurricular activity (as they are now for those pupils in the school sports teams). But they should not be part of compulsory physical education.
The focus should be on keeping fit, which will benefit all children far more, now, and in the long run.
Please sign this petition to push for a revised National PE curriculum that prioritises fitness, health awareness, and well-being over competition. The future of our children's health depends on it.
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Petition created on 10 November 2024