Schools with the best PE provision enabled pupils to achieve well by providing an ever increasing range of extra-curricular and traditional activities. In many of the schools visited, the more able pupils were not challenged sufficiently because teachers’ expectations of them were too low. Some teachers talked for too long and pupils were not provided with enough activity to enable them to learn or practise their skills. In particular, we found there often wasn’t enough physical, strenuous activity in PE lessons. Generally, PE in our schools is in good health, but there are some issues the report highlights as areas for improvement. Physical education is part of every child’s entitlement to a good education. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw said: In more than a quarter of schools, teaching did not improve pupils’ physical fitness. However, in some schools Ofsted found there was not enough physical activity in PE lessons. Considerable investment over the last decade has ensured PE is a central part of school life for pupils of all ages. The report found that PE is generally in good health.
‘Beyond 2012 – outstanding physical education for all’ makes recommendations for schools and the Department for Education to secure the quality of PE in schools and draws out improvements made to PE and sport over the last four years.