When I was At School...
One of the more frequent comments we hear from older brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents and family alike, at SSP festivals, tournaments, coaching sessions or after-school clubs, is "we never had this when I was at school."
This is understandable. The National Curriculum has 'only' been implemented in schools across Great Britain since the early 1990s. I'm sure we all remember, as the picture above suggests, the long cross country runs in the driving rain and hail, the seemingly year round PE lessons of Rugby, Football, Netball or Athletics, or the endless gym-based games inside if the weather outside was too extreme!
School PE, or more specifically, high quality PE, has come a long way since those 'heady' days. School sport is not just about running around for an hour or so - it is now a key part of the National Curriculum, with targets based on ten High Quality outcomes and development focusing not just on the 'physical' but also 'education.'
It is important to remember, in relation to the 5 hour target, that 2 hours of curriculum PE doesn't necessarily mean 2 hours of physical activity. Education on theory as well as practical is a vital part of the PE curriculum.
The ten High Quality outcomes are linked to Ofsted and 'Every Child Matters' criteria. They are based around; commitment, confidence, participation, a desire to improve, enjoyment, understanding, healthy active lifestyles, skills, thinking and making decisions and stamina, suppleness and strength. These are the fundamental principles around which the SSP works.
We hope that this information sheds some light on how SSPs are tasked with working. We are always happy to hear from individuals outside of education, be they parents, pupils or professionals. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at ssp@roadeschool.northants.sch.uk.