The real PE podcast

real nonsense episode 9: Missing Movement: Why Taking Children Out of PE is Educational Madness

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Podcast Episode Description:

In this thought-provoking episode of Real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the most frustrating practices in education: removing children from PE lessons as punishment or to catch up on other subjects.

This episode explores why treating physical education as expendable is not just counterproductive but fundamentally wrong. The team discusses how PE should be viewed as a right, not a reward, and examines the damaging cycle created when we remove the very movement opportunities children need most.

Key discussion points include:

  • Why PE is often the first subject to be sacrificed
  • The counterproductive nature of removing active time from children who need it most
  • How this practice sends the wrong message about the value of physical education
  • Practical advice for PE subject leaders on having those difficult conversations
  • The importance of courage in standing up for your subject

    • The hosts acknowledge this is a challenging topic but provide thoughtful guidance for PE professionals who face this nonsense daily. They emphasise that every child has the right to be physically educated and make progress, regardless of behaviour in other areas.

    Episode Length: 16 minutes

    Featuring: Tony Smyth, Ronnie Heath, John Parsons
    Special Thanks: Steven Pritchard for suggesting this topic

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