As physical education (PE) plays a pivotal role in the holistic development of children, it's essential to ensure inclusivity so that all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), can participate and benefit from sports and physical activities. Engaging SEND pupils in PE and school sports can be challenging due to diverse abilities and needs, but you can create an inclusive and supportive environment with the right strategies. Here are some practical tips to help you effectively engage SEND pupils in your PE classes and school sports programmes.

Understanding individual needs

1. Conduct thorough assessments
Before designing your PE activities, complete comprehensive assessments to understand each SEND pupil's unique needs and abilities. Work closely with SEND coordinators, occupational therapists, and parents to gather detailed information. This will help you tailor your activities to ensure they are accessible and beneficial for all students.

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Educators play a crucial role in fostering our pupils' lifelong love for physical activity. Keeping kids engaged and active can be challenging when the weather turns cold. However, with some creativity and strategic planning, we can ensure that our pupils get the recommended 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily at school and at home. Here's how you can inspire and motivate your pupils to stay active, regardless of the season.

The importance of daily physical activity

The NHS guidelines recommend that children and young adults engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.  This vital exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and enhances mental well-being. Encouraging physical activity also sets the stage for a healthier lifestyle into adulthood.

Strategies for keeping your pupils active during school time

-Incorporate physical activity into the daily schedule

Design a daily routine with...

Who is our guest?
Sajid Akram brings a wealth of experience and passion to his roles at Chandos Primary School. With eight years of teaching under his belt and 18 months as the assistant PE lead, Sajid's dedication to enhancing the physical education landscape is evident. His journey began as a local to the school, and despite moving further away, he remains deeply committed to the community he serves. Sajid's background in teaching and his role as a PE lead uniquely position him to drive innovative strategies and programmes that engage pupils in physical activity.

What do we discuss?

• Sajid emphasises the critical role of physical activity in children's education, focusing on developing balance, coordination, and confidence, not just muscular strength.
• How sport boosts confidence, social skills, and overall well-being, making it essential to their upbringing.
• Financial constraints and bureaucratic hurdles are recurring challenges, with pupil premium funding quickly diminishing after...

Managing behaviour effectively in primary Physical Education (PE) lessons is crucial for creating an environment conducive to learning, safety, and enjoyment. Knowing how to manage young pupils effectively is essential in an era where primary PE plays a pivotal role in children's development. This blog will explore top techniques for managing behaviour while keeping your PE lessons active and engaging.

Why behaviour management in primary PE matters

Behaviour management in primary PE lessons goes beyond discipline; it enhances the pupils' overall educational experience. It helps maintain order, prevents injuries, and promotes inclusivity. Educators can dedicate more time to teaching and nurturing essential physical and social skills with well-managed classes.

Top techniques for managing behaviour in Primary PE

1. Set clear expectations

Establishing clear rules and expectations at the beginning of the school year is fundamental. Effective behaviour management in primary PE starts with...

Autumn's arrival brings more than just cooler weather and colourful leaves; it’s also a reminder that it's time to pay attention to something far more important in our schools – mental health. World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th of October and this year it's shining a light on mental well-being at work, which is quite relevant for our busy school communities.

The latest figures from the Mind are concerning: more young people in the UK than ever have higher mental health needs than ever, with the percentage affected jumping up to 1 in 6 young people (aged 5-16). Nearly one-third of 16-24 year olds in the UK (31%) reported some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2017 to 2018. Since individuals aged 16 to 24 may begin working depending on their career path, mental health must be taken seriously in the workplace. 

Teachers aren't spared from these challenges. A Royal Society of Chemistry survey has revealed that burnout is...

Who is our guest?

Stephen Clarke has been a school governor for 15 years in the Staffordshire three-tier school system, firstly at Primary School, then Middle School and finally High School. He then stepped up to the challenge of being Chair of Governors back at the Middle School in 2019 and shortly after helping to guide the school with the Headteacher strategically through the COVID crisis, remote learning, and several risk assessments!

Outside of the school environment, Stephen has over 25 years of experience in education technology and running award-winning multi-million pound small to medium enterprises. This included managing teams of sales, marketing, finance and technical people. He has his own Education Technology business providing communication Apps for schools, offers consultancy services to other Education technology companies to provide them with insights and help them grow and is undertaking a part-time MBA at Keele University.

What do we discuss?

• ...

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plays a crucial role in the education sector, empowering educators with skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their roles. At Aspire:ED CPD, we are dedicated to fostering an environment of growth and learning by providing an array of CPD opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of teachers and coaches. Here, we explore the rich resources available to our members and highlight the value of CPD development.

Why CPD matters?
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, staying updated with the latest teaching methodologies, management strategies, and curriculum enhancements is essential. CPD ensures that educators can:

Remain current: Stay up-to-date with the latest educational trends and best practices.

Develop new skills: Acquire new teaching techniques and tools to enhance classroom efficacy.

Enhance performance: Improve both student outcomes and personal professional satisfaction.

Boost confidence: Gain confidence in...

For coaches in sports, fitness, or teaching PE, it's important to be the best you can be. One way to show you're really good at your job is to get a special approval called CIMSPA accreditation. This special approval tells people you are serious about doing a great job. If you want to get better in your career, research potential Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, which will help you achieve a better understanding of coaching and specific learning objectives.

What CIMSPA does?
CIMSPA is a group in the UK that helps sports and exercise coaches by setting high standards for their work. Courses which gain their approval means their content is aligned to the national curriculum, and the usefulness of the content in the course is measured by CIMSPA points. 

Grow with Aspire:ED
Working with AspireED to get CIMSPA's approval means you go above and beyond. Which will also help you learn a lot and do well within your PE lessons. Whether you want to...

In the ever-evolving world of education, continuous professional development (CPD) plays a pivotal role in ensuring educators remain at the forefront of delivering high-quality teaching. This holds particularly true for physical education (PE) teachers who are responsible for fostering a love of movement and physical activity among pupils within their school and community. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why regular CPD is key to equipping PE educators with the essential knowledge and skills needed to inspire engaging and effective PE sessions.

Staying current with educational trends
One of the most significant benefits of regular CPD is that it helps teachers stay in sync with the latest educational trends and teaching methodologies. In the realm of PE, new research emerges frequently, shedding light on how children learn and respond to physical activity. CPD offers PE teachers insights into new ways to captivate their pupils, effectively manage behaviour management,...

Welcome to Outdoor Adventures in Learning!

Something beneficial that can make a big difference to your pupils' school life: Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA). Our programme is all about getting children excited about learning outside the classroom. It's designed to be fun, inclusive, and filled with lessons that stick.

Why OAA is important:

• Physical and Mental Benefits: Active kids are happy kids. Getting outdoors and tackling challenges is great for their bodies and minds.

• Life Skills: Through these adventures, children learn teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. These are skills they'll use forever.

• Everyone can join: It doesn't matter the child's ability or background. We’ve designed our course with accessible activities so that every child can take part and have a blast.

What we offer through our Aspire:ED course:

1. Understanding OAA: We start by showing you the benefits of getting young people outside and active. It's not just playtime; it's a...