This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Primary school PE in focus
07/12/2001
The quality of learning and teaching in physical education in primary schools is generally good, according to a report from HM Inspectorate of Education published today.
However, only in about one third of schools could the physical education programme be described as very good.
The schools with very good programmes often used flexible curriculum time to ensure a minimum of two physical education sessions of around 40 minutes weekly for pupils, the report found. They provided broad and balanced programmes which included games, sports, gymnastics, dance and swimming. Programmes in these schools often extended beyond the school day. The headteacher and senior staff played a key role.
In schools where visiting specialist teachers of physical education were deployed, they made an effective contribution to the curriculum.
The report highlights the need to raise expectations of what pupils achieve in physical education and to assess their achievements against national standards. Around 60% of schools visited for good practice had important weaknesses in assessing pupils' work. Teachers needed to improve assessment significantly, giving pupils better feedback to improve their performance. Provision for meeting pupils' learning needs had important weaknesses in 25% of these schools.
Commenting on the report, HM Senior Chief Inspector Douglas Osler said:
"All young people should benefit from a positive experience of physical education. Experience in the primary school years is of critical importance. This will help them to have confidence in their capabilities and to choose activities which match their needs and interests.
"Physical education which aims to develop motivation, competence, excellence and active participation should be central in promoting an active lifestyle. Raising achievement in physical education will help more pupils develop their physical talents to the full.
"This report shows evidence of good practice in PE in some schools but there is much still to be done to raise standards and broaden pupils' experience."
The HMI report draws on extensive evidence from the inspection programme in primary schools between January 1997 and June 2000. It also incorporates evidence from an additional 40 primary schools in 18 education authorities inspected specifically to identify and describe good practice. Since these schools were recommended by their education authorities as examples of good practice in physical education, they are not necessarily representative of all Scottish schools.
Media copies of the report ' Improving Physical Education in Primary Schools' are available from David Bilton on 0131 244 0650 or on the HMIE website: www.scotland.gov.uk/hmie