Why holiday camps are so invaluable for families

As a parent or carer of a primary-aged child or children, it’s highly likely that every September, as well as preparing uniform, PE kit and school shoes, you’re also thinking ahead to those all-too-common school holidays!

Children need a break from the routine of learning, so it’s only fair that every half term they have some time to relax, play, and indulge in their own interests. But as busy parents or carers, these holidays can pose a childcare issue. Your annual leave allowance only stretches so far, so how can you keep your kids busy during school holidays?

School holiday camps are ideal for keeping kids active and entertained, providing you with the childcare you need while at work. Run by sports or activity organisations like us here at Premier Education, these camps are held in locations all over the UK, either on school premises or at local leisure facilities, and centre around providing kids of all ages with a wide variety of activities.

The benefits of holiday camps

Whether you need your kids to attend summer camps over the long summer holidays, Easter camps or half term camps, there’s something out there for every need and interest. And, the great thing about these school holiday activities is that they bring a number of benefits to your children, not just a quality childcare facility for working parents.

Social benefits

Not only will your child be in safe hands for their school holidays, but they will have the chance to develop and enhance important social skills. Camps get young people away from screens! They are great for building confidence, teaching kids how to make friends with children of different ages and from different backgrounds. Children will also need to learn how to work as a team while also working on leadership skills.

Educational benefits

While children who attend camp will find it nothing like school, that’s not to say these environments aren’t learning opportunities. The structured activities mean children have the familiarity of a ‘school day’ but have the opportunity to learn new skills in activities and sports not usually covered at school.

For example, board games or even simple building blocks are great to get children to develop problem solving skills. Equally, trying a new sport such as fencing or archery can help build resilience, accuracy and independence.

Choosing the right holiday camp

So, you’re looking at holiday camps for your kids, but what should you choose? There are a range of activity camp options meaning you have plenty of choice, whether you have younger children or older children.

Multi activity camps

Multi activity camps are great for kids of all ages as they offer a whole host of activities for participants to experience. Children attending these types of camp can expect new activities or unusual sports, crafting, board games, team games, experiments and even circus skills.

Specific interest camps

You may have a football-mad little one, or a child who dreams of being the next Broadway star. If this is the case, a specific interest camp is ideal. From football-only camps to performing arts, there are plenty of holiday clubs out there designed to get your young people getting active, learning new skills and developing even more confidence within their area of interest.

Is the camp Ofsted registered?

Holiday clubs must be registered with Ofsted if they care for children under eight years old for more than two hours a day. However there are exceptions, for example, if a club runs for 14 days or less across a whole year, they do not have to register.

Many providers voluntarily choose to register with Ofsted to demonstrate credibility and hold themselves to high standards.

Ofsted registration provides you as parents and carers with the confidence that the provision is safe, welcoming, age-appropriate, with qualified staff members.

How do I know my child is safe at camp?

Of course, safeguarding is a priority for you. No matter where your child is and however fun the provision is, you want to know that their safety is paramount. It’s not good enough just to pay lip service to safeguarding, camps and clubs should be rigorous in making sure they are fully up-to-date with their safeguarding processes.

At the very least, all camp staff should have DBS checks, there should be a clear, designated safeguarding lead who has undertaken training, and a safeguarding policy should be in place with a set procedure in place.

More information can be found here.

Preparing your young person

Activity camps are hopefully seen as an adventure by your little one. A chance to make new friends, try new activities and overall have a fantastic time! However, it’s understandable that they might be a bit nervous, especially if it’s their first time.

So what can they expect? Unlike some camps over in the USA, the camps we are talking about are daytime only. Most camps have their days structured similarly to school days, with activities in the morning, with time for break and a snack, a different activity before lunch, then a choice of activities in the afternoon.

All the staff are highly trained in working with children and are there to encourage participation and fun, but if a child isn’t keen on a particular activity, then there’s always an alternative option.

Camps might be traditionally thought of as summer holiday activities, but here at Premier Education, we run them all year round, making sure parents aren’t stuck for ways to keep their young people busy, no matter what time of year. Read more about our exciting winter camps to find out what goes on during our October half term and Christmas camps!

In the weeks leading up to camp, talk about it with your little one, let them know what sort of things they can expect to do and reassure them that there will be plenty of other first-time holiday campers there too! By talking about it with them in an excited way, you’ll help to instill confidence in your child. Find out more about preparing your child for a Premier Education camp and they will love the thought of making new friends.

Plan ahead

It’s worth seeing what sort of holiday camps are available in your area as soon as your little one starts school. Providers – such as ourselves – often have early-bird discounts available if you book ahead of time, so this can be a great way to save some money as well as getting your holiday childcare sorted!

Making the final choice

Choosing the right holiday camp to keep your kids entertained can feel like a big decision. You want your child to be engaged and active throughout the holidays and you want to know they are at a high quality provision with an excellent standard of care.

We’d recommend doing your homework. Research the clubs available in your area and check out the reviews. We’re proud to have over 20,000 TrustPilot reviews, the majority of which have an ‘Excellent rating’, providing reassurance that our provisions offer the best possible experience.

Ultimately, you know your child better than anyone and you know what sort of school holiday camp would suit them and their needs. Don’t be afraid to approach providers and ask questions, also look for word-of-mouth recommendations.

Every child deserves to have a great time outside of school, even if their parents and carers have to work. Here at Premier Education, we exist to provide exciting activities all throughout the holiday periods to enable children to grow in confidence, learn new skills and make new friends.

If you’re looking to bring fun and energy to the holidays, why not find out where your nearest Premier Education camp is today?

How children benefit from after-school clubs: Academic support, emotional growth and more

After-school clubs offer a safe and well-structured environment for school-age children beyond standard school hours, providing invaluable support to working families such as yourselves.

However, these kids clubs should also be seen as opportunities to enrich children’s lives, as they can stimulate academic, social and emotional growth through homework assistance, tailored mentoring, team sports and other action-packed activities.

But what are after-school clubs, exactly? Are they just an extension of the school day or do they provide valuable after school care? And can they really make children happier, healthier and smarter – as some claim?

Here at Premier Education, we are a huge believer in the power of extracurricular activities, whether that be as part of wraparound care or school clubs with more of a specific focus. In this article we’re going to look a bit deeper into what they are all about and cover a few tips to help you choose the perfect after-school provider.

What are after-school clubs?

After-school clubs can be defined as planned and supervised activities that take place on the school site after the school day ends.

Quality clubs are designed to provide each child with additional learning opportunities, enrichment activities and reliable childcare during the hours before parents or guardians come home from work.

These clubs welcome children of all ages, and can be run by your child’s school, the community or even private organisations. If a club cares for children under five years of age (reception class for example), it will need to follow the early years foundation stage framework, and need to register with Ofsted on the Early Years Register.

Here are some examples of typical activities that you can find in a school club.

Academic support and engaging learning

Doing homework is essential to reinforce learning after regular school hours. Thus, many clubs set aside dedicated time and supervision for completing homework, allowing students to go over again what they’ve learned in school, turning studying into a healthy habit.

After-school clubs can also be a place to take learning to the next level and discover new passions. For instance, taking part in exciting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) projects stimulates curiosity, critical thinking and a genuine love for science.

Sports, art and other enriching activities

A good school club should also allow children to engage in practical activities that build confidence and promote the development of new skills.

Team sports such as dodgeball, hockey, and football, for example, are great for developing social skills, reducing the stress accumulated during the school day, making new friends and promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle.

On the other hand, group activities like dancing, performing arts, chess or competing in fun board games can have similar social benefits while also strengthening the creativity and problem-solving skills of pupils.

Mentoring focused on individual challenges

After-school clubs can be a safe haven to support individual growth, and a well-organised mentoring initiative is key to realising this goal.

Peer mentoring, in particular, yields exceptional results because it allows children to connect on a deeper level. By matching children with similar experiences, you can be sure there will be transparent communication and understanding of problems.

This also helps improve their emotional intelligence as children explain their unique situation and demonstrate progress throughout the year.

The benefits of quality after-school clubs

It’s not just about convenient childcare. High quality after school care can transform the time between school and home into a special moment where fun, personal growth and learning coexist.

But how can these clubs deliver positive outcomes in the daily life of primary school kids? And how can they lead to better achievement, social growth and improved artistic skills?

Let’s explore a few advantages delivered by a well-organised after-school programme.

Purposeful use of after school hours

The most evident advantage of clubs at your child’s school is offering a clear structure for children to spend their time outside the classroom.

If left unsupervised, many kids might engage in risky behaviour, indulge in excessive screen time or simply fail to study productively. After-school clubs prevent these outcomes by guiding children through meaningful activities that foster emotional and academic growth while keeping them safe during critical hours.

Last but not least, school clubs allow children to explore new interests, become passionate about topics they might not encounter in a regular school day and reduce their stress levels as they get to enjoy activities that are both fun and fulfilling.

As mentioned before, after school care can play a significant role in boosting academic performance. By offering additional help with homework – as well as tutoring and captivating STEM activities – these opportunities provide students with time and resources to improve their understanding of key subjects.

This customisable approach can be particularly effective among pupils who may be struggling in traditional classroom settings, where extroverts tend to emerge more, or those needing a little support with new concepts.

Moreover, research shows that children taking part in quality after-school clubs obtain higher test scores, improving their general attitude towards school. The special attention dedicated to each pupil helps them learn at their own pace, enabling them to get ahead academically in subjects like maths, English and science.

Social and physical development

School attendance gives students the opportunity to socialise and make friends, but without a well-structured environment, some kids may struggle with social interactions – especially at the beginning.

By participating in team sports and fast-paced group activities, children get to practice essential social skills such as communication, cooperation and conflict resolution.

Another area that is often overlooked during normal school hours is physical activity which is so important for young people; according to the NHS, young people aged between 5 and 18 should aim for 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout the week. After-school clubs can play a pivotal role in reaching this quota by offering a wide selection of sports and activities for your kids, getting them moving, their blood pumping, and tiring them out!

Preventing summer learning loss

During extended periods away from school and the intellectual stimulation it provides, some kids experience what is commonly referred to as “summer slide” – the decline of academic skills or knowledge that occurs during the summer.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is especially common among low-income families, who may not have access to adequate resources and enrichment activities for education outside school.

As many after-school clubs now extend their services into the summer, however, this issue can be avoided with holiday play schemes, such as our holiday camps which take place during every school holiday. With a consistent routine and plenty of enrichment opportunities, children will be better prepared to return to school in September, minimising the need for additional support.

How does before and after school childcare differ?

We’ve talked a lot about the role of school clubs specifically; activity or sport-based clubs that allow children to pursue a particular interest, develop skills and have fun. But another key part of school care is ensuring working families have access to childcare during the before and after school periods to align the school day with a typical working day.

As soon as your child starts reception class, a key consideration is how you’ll cover childcare before and after school. Childminders are an option that some families choose but you may be stuck if they are ill or on holiday.

Wraparound care, which is usually the term used for breakfast clubs and after school care, is a secure and reliable provision which typically is based at your child’s school and provides games, activities, sports and fun for all children who attend.

This service can be run by the school staff or by external providers, such as ourselves, who use the school premises to provide a caring, nurturing and supportive setting.

Younger children are mixed with the older children but are provided with age appropriate activities. Of course, there’s always the option to sit quietly and read or complete homework tasks, but we find that building in some physical activity is so important!

Similar to schools, these services should be Ofsted registered and have a suitable ratio of staff to ensure the provision is safe.

Unlike the school clubs we’ve addressed above, this type of school care isn’t focused on one particular activity, but it’s still true that children benefit hugely from breakfast and end of day clubs. As we mentioned earlier, getting physical during these times is hugely beneficial and can even improve classroom concentration and behaviour.

The role and value of Premier Education

In this article, we explored the importance of well-rounded before and after school care (wraparound care) and after school clubs for school age children, led by trained professionals.

Our after school clubs allow children to experience activities not usually covered during the school day, and our wraparound care provision activates children before and after school, getting them ready to learn and helping them wind down.

We make sure every child can find rewarding activities to explore and enjoy, regardless of their ability and background. Find out which school clubs are running near you.

10 safety tips for trick-or-treating this Halloween

It’s that time of the year again, the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and the nights are drawing in. But also, for many, October is synonymous with Halloween. Love it or hate it, if you have kids you will probably be getting involved in ‘Spooky Season’ in some way or another. 

Whether you decorate every inch of your house and garden with witches, ghosts, graves and cobwebs or just have a few tasteful pumpkins adorning your porch, there’s no escaping this popular event.

Children love the exhilaration of the darker nights – a great excuse to dress up in scary costumes, go mad with some face paint and enjoy getting creative with some pumpkins.

We love Halloween but safety must come first, and at this time there are a lot of potential hazards, from naked flames which can cause flammable material to catch fire, to busy streets. In this article we are going to cover some top tips for getting spooky safely.

How did Halloween begin?

The earliest origins of Halloween can be traced to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival observed around November 1. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time associated with death.

The Celts believed that on the night before Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. On October 31, spirits of the dead were thought to return to earth, causing mischief, damaging crops, and even possessing the living.

Pope Boniface IV created All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows’ Day) on May 13 to honour Christian martyrs and saints. Pope Gregory III then moved it to November 1, probably to replace Samhain and absorb some of its traditions.

The night before All Saints’ Day, October 31, became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually shortened to “Halloween.”

Ultimately, Halloween has been inspired by a number of ancient festivals and traditions, evolving into the fun, social and community-based event it is today.

Why do we ‘trick-or-treat’ at Halloween?

Of course, one of the biggest Halloween activities is trick-or-treating. This tradition, which sees groups of children put on their most frightening costumes and visit friendly neighbours for treats, is a great chance for kids to get involved in Halloween and replenish their stocks of sweets.

How did it all start? In the early Christian era, during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day poor people would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. This practice, known as souling, is seen as one of the direct ancestors of modern trick-or-treating. Instead of sweets, children would ask for soul cakes.

In the Middle Ages, the practice of guising (wearing costumes) and begging for treats continued in Scotland and Ireland. Children and the poor would dress up and go door-to-door performing songs, reciting verses, or telling jokes in exchange for food or coins. This practice was sometimes known as “mumming” or “guising.”

These days, the practice has evolved, and certainly here in the UK we no longer encourage any tricks if a request for sweets is refused! Children enjoy the camaraderie of getting dressed in Halloween costumes and respectfully visiting friendly neighbours to see what goodies are on offer.

How to have a safe Halloween

But of course, it’s important to stay safe while enjoying the sugary treats, so we’ve compiled our top tips so you and your children can enjoy a safe Halloween. It goes without saying that young children should always trick-or-treat accompanied by an adult, with older children always sticking together in groups of three or four.

1. Stay visible:

Have your kids wear bright or reflective clothing while trick-or-treating, even if it’s not fully dark when you’re going out. You want to make sure you’re all fully visible! We know children won’t want to ruin the effect of their Halloween costumes, so why not use reflective tape or stickers or glow sticks to provide a more subtle but impactful effect.

2. Only knock on Halloween-friendly homes:

It’s important to only visit houses that are happy to welcome trick-or-treaters. Homes that are well-lit, have pumpkins and Halloween decorations will no doubt have bags of sweets ready for little visitors, but other homes should be left alone.

3. Be fire aware:

Torches, glow sticks and lanterns are great to not only enable you to see where you’re going but add extra atmosphere. Always opt for battery powered lanterns and tealights to reduce any risk of fire as fancy dress costumes are highly flammable – check costume labels to make sure they carry a UKCA or CE mark to show that they meet safety standards. Ultimately, make sure children stay clear of pumpkins with naked flames.

It’s advisable for children to wear a layer of clothing underneath their costume in case the worst does happen and they catch fire. Teach children to ‘stop, drop and roll’ in this instance rather than acting on instinct and fleeing. Read more here.

4. Be extra cautious of road safety:

Halloween will see lots of people out and about and crossing roads, and cars may not be able to see those trick-or-treating very well. Teach children to take extra care around parked cars, try not to cross the road in between them and always walk, don’t run.

5. Ensure fancy dress costumes don’t compromise safety:

Opt for face paints over masks to make sure little ones can see and hear cars and fellow trick-or-treaters properly. Stay safe by staying alert around roads in the dark.

6. Teach children to stay outside:

Never go inside a stranger’s home, but politely stay on the doorstep, no matter how tempting an offer may be or how impressive their decorations.

7. Stay local:

It’s best to stick to the streets around your own home, walking down well-lit, well-populated streets are ideal.

8. Once home, check your child’s bags of sweets:

Make sure younger children aren’t given hard sweets that can be a choking risk. Check Halloween treats are fully sealed and don’t accept ‘home-made’ goodies.

9. Plan your route:

The dark can make streets seem unfamiliar and even disorientate us, so make sure you know exactly where you’re going, and which houses you’ll knock at. Keep the route short so little legs don’t get worn out!

10. Be a careful driver:

If you’re out and about in the car during Halloween, anticipate high numbers of people walking around town trick-or-treating. Slow right down and be especially vigilant at junctions and crossings.

We hope you have a fun, safe and spook-tastic time trick-or-treating this Halloween! For additional, free safety resources, please check out ROSPA.

What are the best school sports to teach?

After a summer jam-packed with sporting events and competitions, it’s fair to say many of us are feeling inspired by the incredible talent seen around the world, and are keen to give different sports a go. But with so many sports out there, it can be hard to know which ones to introduce your primary pupils to in a way that’s fun and accessible.

As a teacher, you want to give the young people you teach opportunities to experience a range of sports at school during PE lessons, while also meeting curriculum requirements. In this article we’re going to look at why sport at school is so important, and which ones we think are the best to teach to bring the most enjoyment and development benefits to your pupils.

Let’s briefly remind ourselves why school sports are so beneficial to young people:

Health and wellbeing

Physical activity is vital for all children. It helps to build strong bones and muscles and keeps the heart healthy. The Chief Medical Officer’s guidance is that children should participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. School sport helps all children to achieve this even if opportunities outside of school are minimal.

Being physically active is also proven to benefit mental health, reducing anxiety and providing a positive physical outlet for emotions.

Social opportunities

Sport is a great chance for children to work together, make friends and learn important social skills around communication, cooperation, leadership and teamwork.

A chance to shine

Not all children are suited to the classroom and to academic subjects that form the basis for school activities. Having regular access to PE and school sports allows those children the opportunity to develop other skills and a passion for sport, giving them confidence and a sense of achievement outside of academia.

Improved behaviour

Research shows that participation in sports has a positive impact on attention in the classroom and academic attainment as a whole. How? Playing sports develops cognitive function thanks to the strategic thinking and decision-making necessary to succeed.

Which school sports should I choose?

Here at Premier Education, we are passionate about all sports, as they each have their own benefits and advantages for every child. When choosing which sports to teach at school, it’s not only important to think about age and ability but also to consider accessibility, skill development, inclusivity, and the promotion of lifelong physical activity.

Ultimately, as long as you’re clear on the outcomes you want to achieve, you can make any sport work for your school. PE planning can be a headache, but there are plenty of resources out there to help!

Here are our favourite school sports to teach the next generation, encouraging more children into sport and living healthier lives.

Football

We’ll start with an oldie but a goody! Probably the world’s most popular sport, football is accessible, easy to teach and requires minimal equipment. It’s a sport ALL children, boys and girls, should be encouraged to try during school PE lessons.

Why it’s so great: Football is a fantastic team sport, so it helps to teach children how to work together towards a common goal. Adaptable for all skill levels, football is a game that is not only ideal to build cardiovascular fitness but helps children develop communication skills, empathy, resilience and endurance.

Top tips:

• Football can be far more than just playing matches. Be imaginative with football-inspired games
• Build in simple dribbling warm-ups that can first be practised without a ball, adding the ball once pupils are confident. Have progressions available depending on the age and ability of the pupils
• Support and encourage all players to focus on their own enjoyment and ability.

Basketball

This fast-paced game can be played either indoors and outdoors. It promotes social interaction and is easily adaptable to suit numbers and abilities.

Why it’s so great: Basketball is a fun sport to help develop strength, coordination and balance. Similar to football, it’s a team sport so requires good communication and accuracy. Kids love the different ways to pass the ball as well as the challenge of getting the ball through the hoop.

From a practical point of view, a basketball court is usually already marked out within school premises which makes setting up the PE lesson straightforward!

Top tips:

• Mini basketball is a great way of introducing the sport to younger kids
• Start by simply having the children pass the ball in pairs, stepping out a pace as they get more confident
• Use small, light balls that kids can practice dribbling and encourage them to use their fingertips rather than their palms.

Gymnastics

We love teaching gymnastics in schools, it’s such a good sport for teaching kids body awareness, control and enhancing their flexibility.

Why it’s so great: Not all pupils will be drawn to team sports, so gymnastics is an ideal activity for them to do individually. Kids love the variety of fun apparatus that can be used for gymnastics. They may also find that the balance, strength and coordination developed through the movements actually benefit their performance in other sports too.

Top tips:

• Start by focusing on fundamentals such as balance and creating shapes. Use games such as ‘Simon Says’, with you demonstrating the movement or shape
• Use music where possible to add an extra element of fun
• Progress your class by putting several movements together to create a mini routine. Check out this blog on gymnastics activities for more inspiration.

Tennis

Tennis is another popular sport for schools and it’s not hard to see why. Future Wimbledon stars have to start somewhere, so grab some tennis balls and get started.

Why it’s so great: The benefits of tennis for kids are well-documented, and the principles are easy to pick up. A non-contact sport, tennis requires discipline, resilience, concentration and accuracy, and is great for building fitness.

Top tips:

• Start by handling the ball and getting comfortable with it before introducing the racket
• See if the children and catch and throw after a bounce. Can they throw it so it lands in front of their partner?
• Bring in some accuracy games, for example, can they knock down a pyramid of balls by throwing a tennis ball at them?

Dodgeball

While not a classic sport, dodgeball is an ideal sport for helping both boys and girls develop their physical literacy. It’s ideal for PE lessons because it keeps the whole class engaged.

Why it’s so great: Dodgeball is one of our favourite sports to teach because it is a lot of fun and pupils of all abilities and fitness levels can join in. It helps build hand-eye coordination, agility and balance, and also promotes communication between team members.

We like the fact that no one is passively waiting around to be passed to – anyone without a ball needs to keep their wits about them and be ready to dodge!

Top tips:

• Get children to practise their shots by throwing the foam balls at ‘targets’ such as cones or into hoops. Vary the distances they shoot from
• Bring in some extra challenges (and fun!) by seeing if the throwers can stand on one leg!
• Set up some slalom-style courses for the children to practise their ‘dodging’ without any balls being thrown. Check out our blog on dodgeball games for PE for even more ideas.

Need further PE inspiration?

Look no further. We bring schools a fresh perspective on both their curricular PE and extracurricular activities, as well as active childcare in the form of holiday camps and wraparound care. So if you feel like your school sport isn’t quite having the impact on pupils you’d like, get in touch.

Our coaching staff are trained in a wide range of sports, and bring engaging ideas to get every child active and enjoying PE.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us today to find out more.

Covering different types of school sports in your PE classes

We know that not all children have access to the same sport and activity opportunities, which is why making sure pupils have two hours of high-quality PE lessons a week is crucial.

Physical activity brings such a range of benefits to children that it’s no wonder that more and more schools are treating PE as a core subject. But as with all subjects, bringing variety into PE isn’t always easy. Schools have limitations, and it’s unrealistic to expect school sports to include specific facilities such as watersports and climbing.

So how can teachers ensure they include different types of sports within their PE lessons? And why is experiencing a range of sports so important?

Let’s start by looking at why participating in various sports is beneficial.

The benefits of doing different types of sports for kids

Physical benefits

Physical exertion helps to build strong muscles but practicing a range of sports helps to develop different muscle groups necessary for overall health. As well as cardiovascular health, being involved in a variety of sports also helps to develop skills such as balance, strength and coordination.

Psychological benefits

Mental health and wellbeing is often associated with sport and for good reason. It’s a fantastic stress reliever, and participating in numerous sports provides multiple outlets for easing anxiety and stress. Experiencing different types of sports can be a confidence boost too — it allows both boys and girls to find what they are good at.

Alongside this, taking part in a variety of school sports can enhance cognitive abilities, as many sports need some strategic thinking and fast reactions.

Social benefits

Sport bring opportunities to build social skills and make friends, but particularly team sports, where communication, cooperation and teamwork is needed.

Even individual sports are great learning opportunities, especially when it comes to sportsmanship — children need to learn to respect coaches and officials, and also be able to win or lose.

Exposure

As mentioned previously, participating in different types of school sports means children have the opportunity to find a sport they love. We’re all different, and have different preferences. Finding a sport that you enjoy can help to create a lifelong passion, in turn ensuring a healthy long-term lifestyle.

Eight different sports to teach

For some inspiration, we’re going to explore eight ‘swaps’ you can make in your PE lessons to help you ensure greater variety. Don’t worry, we won’t suggest anything complicated or with excessive equipment requirements!

Team sports

Of course, teaching team sport at school is easily suited to a PE lesson as the class can easily be split into two teams. As mentioned earlier, working as a team can develop a wealth of skills in kids, and they often enjoy the camaradarie of working together to defeat the opposite team!

Team sports can be broken down further into: invasion games, net games, fielding and striking games and target games

Invasion games

Swap 1: if you normally teach handball, why not try touch rugby?

Speed and agility are required in this team sport, which is a fun and accessible adaptation of the classic sport.

Start by setting out a pitch with two halves, and a try zone at either end. The game involves two teams who are attempting to score tries at the try zone in the opposite end, with every player wearing a ‘tag’. The attacking team start by passing the ball backwards and then between their teammates — making sure the ball isn’t passed forwards

The attacking team has five chances to score. If they are tagged, they lose an attempt to score. The ball must be played from wherever the tag happens. After five tags, the other team win possession.

After a tag, the defending team must retreat five paces and the attacking team re-start play by passing the ball backwards.

Swap 2: if you normally teach football, why not try speedball?

This fast-paced game combines elements of football (or soccer) and basketball with plenty of opportunities for scoring points!

A rectangular playing area is set up with two basketball nets at either end and four hockey goals (or similar) at each corner. Divide the class into two teams — their main objective is to score goals at the opposite end to where they begin.

Using a foam ball, play begins with players passing the ball within their team using passes and throws to try and score a goal. If the ball is dropped, it is played as a football, with players able to flick it back up using their feet to be played in their hands once again.

Defending players can attempt to intercept the ball but must remain at an arm’s length distance from attacking players.

Teams score one point for scoring in a hocky goal and two for scoring in a basketball net. After points are scored, the defensive team re-starts play from the centre.

Net games

Swap 3: if you normally teach tennis or table tennis, why not try volleyball?

Volleyball is a fun team game and popular Olympic sport which can be easily adapted for all ages and abilities. All you need is a net — which can be set at any height deemed appropriate for your class — and a light, soft ball. You can even start by using a balloon to get children used to the actions.

Ultimately, the aim is to try and return the ball over the net inside the court, while preventing it from touching the ground on your side.

We’d recommend starting by putting the class into pairs, one either side of the net, and letting them practice using their hands — in that two handed fist — to get the ball over the net. From here, you can progress to bigger games.

It’s tempting for kids to try and catch the ball as it comes towards them, so encourage them to practice pushing it back up!

Swap 4: if you normally teach badminton, why not try battleships?

With the fun element of ‘throwing blind’ this game is great for teamwork and ideal for all abilities. Start by dividing the play area using mats, parachutes, or anything that creates a visual barrier, so the opposing team’s half can’t be seen.

Ask pupils to set up their ‘battleships’ (bowling pins or similar) which the opposing team will try to knock over using soft balls, from the other side of the barrier.

The first team to knock down all of the battleships on the other side, wins.

Fielding and striking games

Swap 5: if you normally teach rounders, why not try kick rounders?

Field-based games are lots of fun and get kids outside! As you’ve probably guessed, this sport is very similar to traditional rounders, but instead of using a bat to hit a ball, players are thrown a football underarm, and have to kick it as far as they can.

Set up the game as you normally would, split your class and have one team fielding and the other kicking. Four posts are positioned as bases in a playing area, and the player’s aim is to run around as many bases as possible before the football is returned to the ‘bowler’. If the player makes it around all four bases, they score a full rounder.

This is a great twist on rounders and tests kicking skills as well as speed.

Individual sports

In addition to team sports, children will often be doing a mixture of competitive and non competitive individual sports during their PE lessons. From gymnastics and cross country running to archery and swimming, there is a comprehensive list of sports that are done independently.

Swap 6: if you normally teach gymnastics, why not try yoga?

A great chance to encourage the class to slow down, check in with their mind and body and stretch those muscles, yoga requires some patience, but can be picked up quickly.

Don’t worry about getting poses spot on, and don’t expect them to practice it for long periods, rather focus on the children being present.

Why not try these simple poses to start with. Each pose should be held for 3-5 breaths.

• Mountain pose
• Warrior pose
• Cobra pose
• Bridge pose
• Cat-cow pose

Swap 7: If you normally teach dance, why not try fitness circuits?

Fast and fun, circuits will mean your lesson goes by in a flash and the kids have fun and get their heart pumping.

Depending on the age of the class, set up approximately five to seven stations each with a different challenge. You’ll need to divide your class so a few children are at each station.

You can keep it simple with no equipment, for example, jumping jacks and running on the spot, or you can bring in some equipment such as skipping rope, and cones to jump over.

See if the kids can do ten repetitions of each movement before moving on.