As Primary Teachers, we stand at the forefront of shaping children’s attitudes toward physical activity. We are not just delivering lessons—we are inspiring the next generation of active, healthy citizens. But how often do we reflect on our teaching practices during the busy life of teaching and ask ourselves, What can I do to improve and make PE sessions more engaging, impactful, and memorable for my students?
If you’re ready to rethink your approach and elevate your PE teaching to the next level, this blog is for you. Let’s explore some strategies that will not only make your PE sessions more effective but will also energise your teaching and inspire your students to embrace physical activity in a way they never have before.
1. Embrace the Power of a Positive Learning Environment
The foundation of any successful PE lesson begins with the atmosphere we create. As teachers, we are tasked with making movement exciting and encouraging participation from every child, no matter their ability or confidence level. A positive learning environment isn’t just about the space—it’s about the energy we bring into the room.
How to improve:
• Celebrate effort, not just success. Make sure to praise every child for trying, not just winning. This can be particularly powerful for students who may not be naturally athletic but thrive on encouragement.
• Use inclusive language. Shift away from phrases that might alienate or make some students feel inferior. Phrases like “Every effort is valuable,” or “Everyone’s journey is different” go a long way in making students feel welcomed and supported.
• Set clear expectations for behavior. A structured environment can make a huge difference. Children need boundaries to feel safe and focused during physical activities.
2. Get Creative with Lesson Planning—Focus on Fun!
Gone are the days when PE was just about running laps or doing exercises. Today, we have the opportunity to tap into the creativity of each student while helping them develop essential motor skills, teamwork, and resilience. When we design lessons they should be dynamic, fun, engaging and relevant to the children’s lives, we not only engage them, but we also help them develop a lasting love for movement and sports.
How to improve:
• Integrate cross-curricular links. For example, a lesson on throwing and catching could be connected to learning about geometry (shapes and angles) or even stories from history (ancient games and sports). This gives a sense of purpose to the activity beyond just physical skill development and will also help to engage the more academic children.
• Gamify lessons. Create challenges, friendly competitions, or skill-based games that make students feel as though they are actively participating in something exciting. Gamification adds an element of resilience, enjoyment and achievement, motivating even the most reluctant participants.
• Incorporate different forms of physical activity. Movement doesn’t have to be limited to traditional sports. Why not try yoga, dance, or mindfulness activities? Introducing new ways of moving keeps students interested and opens their minds to a variety of ways to stay active.
3. Personalise PE and Focus on Skill Development
We’re all aware that every child comes to PE with their own strengths and weaknesses, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work and in our eyes at HSSS, it never has. To truly see progress, we need to tailor our lessons to meet the diverse needs of each and every student that walks through them doors, while also encouraging each child to set personal and ACHIEVABLE goals to help build resilience and a sense of achievement.
How to improve:
• Differentiated instruction is key. Offer different levels of challenges for different abilities. A child who struggles with hand-eye coordination should have a simpler task than one who excels at catching and throwing. The goal is to create opportunities for success for all students, regardless of their starting point.
• Set personal goals. Encourage students to set individual goals (such as improving their speed or distance) and track their progress throughout the year/s. This not only boosts motivation but helps children take ownership of their own development.
• Focus on skill progression. Rather than just focusing on the outcome (e.g., scoring a goal), emphasise the small steps that lead to success, like improving footwork or timing. This approach builds confidence and teaches perseverance.
4. Be a Role Model—Live the PE Values You Teach
It might sound simple, but as PE teachers, we are role models for a healthy lifestyle. Our own attitudes toward fitness, movement, and well-being can have a significant influence on our students. They are watching us more closely than we think, and they look to us for guidance on how to approach physical challenges.
How to improve:
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for physical activity. If you are excited and passionate about movement or sports, your students will pick up on that energy and be more likely to mirror it.
• Prioritise your own health. Regular physical activity isn’t just a “lesson plan” topic—it should be a lifestyle choice. When students see their teacher taking part in physical activities (whether it’s joining in on a game, talking about their own weekly fitness routines and the team the play for on the weekends) it reinforces the importance of making exercise a lifelong habit.
• Promote holistic well-being. PE isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about mental resilience and emotional well-being too. Encourage students to use movement as a way to reduce stress, build confidence, and improve their emotional health.
5. Utilise Technology to Enhance Engagement
Technology is everywhere in our world and education is no exception. Whether it’s using apps to track progress or incorporating virtual tools to analyse performance, there are countless ways technology can enhance your PE lessons and create exciting new opportunities for engagement.
How to improve:
• Use fitness apps or activity trackers. Tools like pedometers, fitness trackers, or apps can help students visualise their progress, whether it’s counting steps, measuring distances, or tracking improvement in strength or flexibility.
• Incorporate video analysis. Capture students’ movements (with permission) and review them together. This is especially useful for activities like gymnastics, athletics, or sports where technique matters. It offers immediate feedback and allows students to understand the movement visually and have the ability to self-correct.
• Leverage online resources. There are many videos, tutorials, and online games that can be used to supplement your lessons. Technology opens the door to creating a more interactive and engaging PE experience for your students.
6. Reflect and Continuously Improve
The best teachers are those who are always looking for ways to improve. We know that no lesson is perfect, and there’s always room to grow. Reflection is the cornerstone of any professional development journey, and as PE teachers, it’s essential we take time to assess our own practice regularly.
How to improve:
• Get feedback from students. Ask them what they enjoy about the lessons, what they find challenging, and what they would like to learn more about. This not only helps you adjust your teaching approach but also empowers your students by giving them a voice.
• Collaborate with colleagues. Share ideas, strategies, and resources with other teachers, particularly those in similar roles to you or at the same school. Collaborative teaching can offer fresh insights and help you develop new techniques that you might not have considered or thought about on your own.
• Stay informed. Attend CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses, read the latest research on physical education (check out more of our blogs here), and stay updated with new teaching methods or trends. The more you learn, the more you can bring back to your PE sessions.
Conclusion: A PE Session That Inspires Change
Being a successful UK Primary PE teacher isn’t just about teaching physical skills—it’s about creating an environment where children feel excited, empowered, and capable. It’s about fostering a lifelong love for movement that will serve them for years to come.
So, as you reflect on your teaching practice, think about how you can create PE lessons that are dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring. Revisit the strategies shared in this blog, but most importantly—always be open to learning and evolving as a teacher. When we improve, our students improve, and we can truly make a lasting impact on their physical and emotional development.
Here’s to the soon arriving 2025 - A year of growth as a PE teacher where you can increase your creativity, and knowledge to help to inspire the next generation of active and healthy learners!
For more help with your PE development dont hesistate to get in touch with us!
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