Over the past decade research has shown the importance of having more time for physical education, and with the increase in childhood obesity, PE is an ever key subject within the new curriculum. In March 2014 we have seen new studies from JAMA Paediatrics that shows there are "significant positive relationships" between physical activity and academic performance.

Overall, the new programme of study for physical education provides a slimmer framework, giving more flexibility to schools in delivering their Physical Education programmes. There is also a focus on schools to ‘take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team’. So where does Adventure Learning fit in to this? Learning through adventure is a powerful tool. Why not complete your PE specification by mountain biking, rock climbing or orienteering in the mountains? A typical programme at any residential outdoor education centre will often include a selection of adventurous activities, but concentrate on those which include control and balance, movement skills and other skills relevant to the chosen area of assessment. Ian Mitchell Director of Excellence at Brownhills School uses Adventure Learning to inspire his students: Adventure Learning programmes can deliver both taught and assessed elements of the new Physical Education curriculum, delivered with an experienced team of qualified PE teachers and outdoor instructors. Learning in this way creates long lasting, memorable experiences as well as providing a sense of discovery, challenge and fun.

Wide Horizons is a charity that works with schools to help develop adventurous learning programmes that work for your pupils and your subject. We work with PE Departments to;

Deliver outdoor and adventurous activities challenges, helping pupils work in a team and individually

Develop flexibility strength, technique, control and balance

Allow pupils to take part in competitive activities such as climbing, kayaking and challenge courses

What better way to engage your group with their PE criteria, than taking them Mountain Biking! The class had a great time whilst developing key physical and mental skills.”

The PE and Sport Premium is ring fenced funding that has been available to all state-maintained Primary Schools since the Autumn term of 2013. The funding has been allocated directly to Primary Head Teachers.

1: To improve the quality of existing PE teaching through Continuing Professional Development in PE for generalists, so that all primary pupils improve their health, skills and physical literacy, and have broader exposure to a range of sports. 2: To increase participation levels in competitive sport and healthy activity of pupils, and maintain these into adolescence. 3: To increase the quality of initial teacher training in PE and sport, and to promote PE specialisation in the primary level workforce. 4: To ensure schools understand and value the benefits of high quality

PE and sport, including its use as a tool for whole school improvement.

Funding for schools will be calculated by the number of primary aged pupils (between the age of 5-11) as at the annual schools’ census in January 2013.

All schools with 17 or more primary-aged pupils wi ll receive a lump sum of £8000 plus a premium of £5 per pupil

Smaller schools will receive £500 per pupil

Subsidise residential and day visits offsite, enriching the curriculum, and embedding learning, e.g. residentials at Wide Horizons Adventure Learning Centres

Support and involve the least active children by running after-school adventure clubs and holiday clubs, e.g. Wide Horizons Outreach and Summer Camps

Provide resources and training courses in PE and sport for teachers, e.g. Wide Horizons Professional Development Courses for Teachers

Integrate PE and sport into the school’s improvement plans. PE is not a stand alone subject and can support other areas of development throughout the school.

Invest in your Staff. Give your teachers the confidence and skills to lead innovative PE sessions in a safe environment. This will create a sustainable PE strategy for your school, with the support of the funding.

Build Partnerships. You won’t always have the expertise in your school to provide a well rounded and rich PE curriculum for your pupils. Work with outside organisations who have the experience and competence to deliver these areas effectively.

Talk to your Pupils. If you want to fully engage your pupils with PE and sports, get them involved from the beginning. Simply asking what they think would make a good session and could lead to increased enthusiasm for the topic.

Think Outside the Box. PE doesn't have to be just football, bleep tests and athletics. Climbing is great for developing flexibility, strength, control and balance. Often learning something new and exciting will encourage a deeper understanding of the subject.

Residential visits allow more time to

experience the adventure and activities,

increasing the options and scope of what can

be achieved within your PE objectives. Staying

away from home for the first time is a

memorable experience for children and can

teach valuable life skills. We promote a team

ethic throughout the stay which introduces

concepts of team work, trust and cooperation.

Day visits are a great way to introduce your

pupils to adventure and outdoor learning,

helping to bring alive your PE lessons, develop

new skills and have new experiences.

We offer a wide range of day visit adventures

from curriculum-based courses combining PE,

science, geography, history, literacy and

numeracy with inspirational outdoor adventure,

to personal development courses .

Whether it’s a corner of a local park, a

Wide Horizons centre or your playground, our

Outreach Team will work with you to make the

most of the resources available to you.

Our highly experienced team can visit you in

school to plan and develop sessions linked

specifically to the PE Curriculum, supporting

you with enriching your lesson plans.

In the new PE Curriculum, Outdoor Education features heavily

as a requirement in the primary programme, stating;

“Pupils should take part in outdoor and adventurous activity

challenges both individually and within a team.”

Physical Education Programmes of Study: Key Stage 1 and 2.

National Curriculum in England. 2013.

77 Bexley Road, London SE9 2PE T 0845 600 65 67 E enquiries@widehorizons.org.uk W www.widehorizons.org.uk Widehorizons is a registered charity number 1105847

T 0845 600 65 67 E enquiries@widehorizons.org.uk