Coaches in the Curriculum

Many schools at present employ coaches of different sports to deliver clubs and out of school activities, and increasingly, take PE lessons in the curriculum.

Whilst they will be expert coaches in their own field, many will not have the same amount of experience in teaching physical education games lessons and working within the National Curriculum requirements.

Physical education in Key Stage 2 is about:

1. acquiring & developing skills
2. selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas
3. evaluating and improving performance
4. knowledge and understanding of fitness and health

Within PE lessons all children participate at their own level, achieve success, develop confidence and self-esteem and learn physical, social, personal, cognitive and creative skills.

Our 3 Coaches in the Curriculum manuals are:-

1. Invasion games
2. Striking and fielding games
3. Net, wall & court games

They have been compiled specifically for coaches to use in curriculum lessons and contain:-

• Advice on National Curriculum
• Safe organisation of pupils, equipment and working spaces
• Planning and programme
• Details of Expected Minimum Standards of performance by the end of Yr 4 and Yr 6 which give specific guidelines on what children should be able to achieve at these ages

The relevant units of work (8 units for each "family" of games, (i.e. invasion, net/wall/court and striking/fielding games) have been taken from the Val Sabin Primary School Games KS2 manual). Each unit contains 6 detailed lesson plans (with enough material in each plan to last at least 2 lessons) which coaches can use as their framework and fit in game-specific skills and techniques at appropriate times. These are proven manuals which are National Curriculum compliant and follow QCA guidelines. EAch manual contains a straight-forward assessment system for the coach to complete and give to the class teacher. This communication will help the class techer to determine pupils' level of attainment and inform the reporting process.

Val Sabin Publications & Training and Positive Play Limited have piloted several "Coaches in the Curriculum" Training days. Dates for further courses will be posted on the website shortly.