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The Report of the Review Group on Physical Education
The Case for Physical Education
The case for PE at one level is a very simple one - all children and young people in Scotland need to have a physical education. However, the task of delivering a quality physical education to every child and young person in Scotland is a more challenging one.
In responding to the challenge it is important to remain focused on that simple goal - every child, everywhere in Scotland, must have a quality physical education. This requires practical and pragmatic solutions, immediate changes as well as long-term developments and all of this underpinned with a strong scientific and educational rationale.
Children need a physical education to allow them to participate fully in 21st century life, work and leisure.
Physical education is the only subject that focuses children's efforts and learning on their body and its physical development. It further links this to cognitive and social processes thereby making a real connection between how mind and body develop. Evidence indicates that the health and wellbeing of children affect their ability to achieve and their confidence to learn. When children and young people are fit and healthy, they are more able to concentrate, learn and do well in school.
A good quality physical education can:
- include all children and young people whatever their cultural background and physical or cognitive abilities;
- enhance social inclusion and engagement in school life;
- develop pupils' confidence and self-esteem;
- contribute to the social life of the school and its ethos; and
- provide foundation skills and knowledge for a lifetime of activity and perhaps a future working life in sport, physical activity, culture and leisure.
It is the ONLY comprehensive and educationally sound way we have to ensure that ALL children and young people learn the skills and understandings necessary for living a physically active life. Some children may go on to excel in sports, others may enjoy a range of recreational activities, but all will need to learn the basic skills and understanding for lifelong activity. There is an alarming growth in sedentary lifestyles and poor mental health and this provides a compelling driver for quality physical education.
It is clear that schools have a key role in encouraging pupils to have positive attitudes to physical education, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. In addition, school sports and other in-house activities are important events that pupils can and do identify with, fostering a sense of community. Competition is part and parcel of sport and young people need to learn how to prepare for an event, to take part, and to win or lose well.
Physical education is an investment for the future - for individuals and for Scotland.
Physical education cannot be left to chance - it is a core part of education as a whole and as such requires all parts of the infrastructure for educational development in Scotland to respond to the challenge.
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