Physical Education, Physical Activity And Sport For .

Physical Education,Physical Activity and Sportfor Children and Young PeopleA Guiding Framework

Get Active! Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sportfor Children and Young People: A Guiding FrameworkPublished by The Professional Development Service forTeachers and funded by The Teacher Education Section ofthe Department of Education and Skills Department of Education and Skills, 2012Reproduction authorised for non-commercial purposesprovided the source is acknowledged

ContentsForewordAcknowledgements12Introduction to the Get Active GuideWhy was this Guide Developed?Who should Use this Guide?What are our Definitions?What does this Guide Entail?Time FrameNotes:455666Section 1: Get Active 1Physical Education, Physical Activityand Sport for Children and Young PeopleAgreeing a vision for all to work towards91Introduction to Get Active 1101.1Desired Outcomes of Physical Education, Physical Activityand Sport for Children111.2Desired Outcomes of Physical Education, Physical Activityand Sport for Young People19Section 2: Get Active 2Physical Education, Physical Activityand Sport for Children and Young PeopleDeveloping a plan to achieve our vision272Introduction to Get Active 2282.1How does the Get Active Guide Relate to OtherSchool Schemes?30Developing a plan to achieve our vision: the process at a glance2.2The Process at a Glance2.3The Co-ordinating Team2.4The Planning Cycle in Context2.4.1In School: In Class2.4.2In School: Co-Curricular Activities2.4.3In Community32323436364248Stakeholder Involvement2.5School Leaders and Teachers2.6Children and Young People2.7Parents and Families53535656p3

2.82.9Community-based Organisations and GroupsOther Sources of InformationSection 3: Get Active 3Physical Education, Physical Activityand Sport for Children and Young PeopleEvaluating our progress3.3.13.23.33.43.53.6Introduction to Get Active 3Self-Evaluation: The What and WhySelf-Evaluation: Getting StartedSelf-Evaluation: The ProcessLight-Touch EvaluationOther Sources of InformationAppendix 157606162636466737476

ForewordThis government is committed to the promotion of physical education, physical activityand sport in recognition of the educational, social, health and cultural benefits that canbe gained through participation.A series of measures has already been adopted to promote awareness and actionrelated to the cultivation of a more active, physically educated and healthier society.These measures include the development of a national physical activity plan, the creationof physical activity guidelines and the establishment of the Active School Flag.This guide is intended as an enabling framework which opens the way to furtherdevelopments involving a deeper level of cooperation across agencies, in the interest ofchildren and young people. It is a framework which organisations and individuals involvedin the promotion of physical education, physical activity or sport can use according totheir needs. The guide is not prescriptive or exhaustive in detail as its purpose is moreabout encouraging dialogue and generating new ideas which act as a catalyst for action.I hope this guide will inform debate about the links between education and othersectors involved in the provision of sport and physical activity, in the belief that acollaborative approach is the most effective in cultivating an active healthy society,now and into the future.Enda Kenny TDAn Taoiseachp1

AcknowledgementsThis guide is a joint initiative by the Department of Educationand Skills, the Department of Health, the Department ofChildren and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.Advisory Group (2008-2010)Dr. Alan Wall (Chairperson), PrincipalOfficer, Teacher Education Section,Department of Education and SkillsDr. Sinéad Breathnach, NationalCo-ordinator (NCO), School DevelopmentPlanning InitiativeMr. Tony Weir, Senior Inspector,Department of Education and SkillsMs. Sharon McGrath, NationalCo-ordinator (NCO), Social, Personal& Health Education Support ServiceMr. Sean McGrath, Inspector, Departmentof Education and SkillsDr. Mary O’Flaherty, NationalCo-ordinator (NCO), Junior Cycle PhysicalMs. Rita Nic Amhlaoibh, Divisional Inspector, Education Support ServiceDepartment of Education and SkillsGet Active 1: ChildrenMr. Brendan Doody, Divisional Inspector,Department of Education and SkillsThe desired outcomes in reference tochildren were developed in consultationwith the following: Ms. Caitriona Cosgrave,Mr. Donagh Morgan, Assistant Secretary,Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute ofDepartment of Tourism, Culture and Sport Education; and Ms. Susan Marron, St.Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. TheMr. John Treacy, Chief Executive, Irishoutcomes were then reviewed bySports Councilmembers of the Irish Primary PhysicalEducation Association (IPPEA) and theMs. Patricia Lee, Assistant Principal Officer, Colleges of Education Physical EducationHealth Promotion Policy Unit,Consortium (CEPEC).Department of Health and ChildrenGet Active 1: Young PeopleMs. Biddy O’Neill, Health Promotion Manager, The desired outcomes in referenceProgrammes, Health Service Executiveto young people were developed inconsultation with the following: Ms.Mr. Dave Fadden, Principal Officer, Strategic Margo Jackson, Mercy Secondary School,Planning and Policy Division, DepartmentWaterford; Ms. Marian Carey, Presentationof TransportBrothers’ College, The Mardyke, Cork; andp2

Mr. Michael Carey, Glanmire CommunityCollege, Glanmire, Co. Cork. This workwas carried out under the direction of Dr.Mary O’ Flaherty, National Co-ordinator,Junior Cycle Physical Education SupportService. Consultation Process The following groups were consultedduring the drafting of this guide Association of Community &Comprehensive Schools CARA Adapted Physical ActivityCentre, Institute of Technology, Tralee Catholic Primary School ManagementAssociation Church of Ireland College of Education Church of Ireland Managerial Bodies Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute ofEducation Department of Health & LeisureStudies, Institute of Technology, Tralee Educate Together Froebel College of Education Health Promotion Officers - PhysicalActivity Health Promotion Policy Unit,Department of Health & Children Health Service Executive Irish Heart Foundation Irish Primary Physical EducationAssociation Irish Second-Level Students’ Union Irish Vocational Education Association Joint Managerial Body for VoluntarySecondary Schools Mary Immaculate College, Limerick National Association of Principals &Deputy Principals National Council for Curriculum &Assessment National Parents Council, PrimaryNational Parents Council, Post PrimaryNational Youth Council of IrelandNetwork of Local Sports PartnershipsOutdoor Education Department,Galway Mayo Institute of Technology,CastlebarOutdoor Education, IrelandPhysical Education & Sports ScienceDepartment, University of LimerickPhysical Education Association of IrelandSchool of Health & Human Performance,Dublin City UniversitySports Studies & Physical EducationDepartment, University College CorkSports National Governing BodiesAthletics IrelandBadminton IrelandBasketball IrelandCumann Camógaíochta na nGaelFootball Association of IrelandGaelic Athletic AssociationIrish GymnasticsIrish Rugby Football UnionLadies Gaelic FootballSwim IrelandTennis IrelandVolleyball Association of IrelandSt. Patrick’s College, DrumcondraThanks to all of those who provided oraland written submissions. A special thanks toKathy Campbell, Programme Administrator(JCPESS), for her role in co-ordinating theconsultation process and collating feedback.A special thanks also, to Gráinne McConnellfor her contribution to the development ofthe document.p3

Introduction to theGet Active GuideWhy was this Guide Developed?Physical activity plays an important role in the livesof children and young people: as a medium for educationas a basis for healthy livingas a vehicle for social inclusion1In recognition of the potential within this role, this guide sets out to create theframework for a co-ordinated approach to physical education, physical activity andsport in school and community settings for children and young people2. It draws onthe National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland (2009), which outline the nature,frequency and intensity of physical activity to be engaged in for health benefits. Thoseguidelines form the foundation for this and related documents which seek to clarify thedesired outcomes, in terms of knowledge, competencies and attitudes, of quality physicaleducation, physical activity and sport.The formulation of this guide reflects the commitment of the Department of Educationand Skills; the Department of Health; the Department of Children; and the Departmentof Transport, Tourism and Sport to the promotion of children’s well-being and interests.More specifically, this guide is an effort to realise the strengths that can be gained interms of quality provision and experiences if common goals are promoted and pursuedacross a range of physical activity contexts3.It is envisaged that experiences across the three settings in this framework wouldsupport and reinforce each other. In this way, all children are provided with a clearaccessible pathway for progression so that they can achieve their potential and live anactive, healthy lifestyle. Reference is made to ‘play’ in the document, in recognition of thefact that young children often participate in physical activity in this way.These contexts are:1. In Class: Physical education and related programmes, taught as part of the curriculum;2. In Co-curricular Activities: School-related physical activity and sport outside ofcurriculum time;3. In Community: Physical activity and sport outside of school hours in thecommunity setting, including walking or cycling for everyday travel needs.p4

Who should Use this Guide?The guide is targeted at: Young people and those who work directly with children and young people inphysical activity settings in schools. This includes teachers and external providers(EPs)4 at primary level, and physical education teachers and teachers involved inorganising co-curricular activity at post-primary level, and sports leaders5. Those who influence the nature of physical education, physical activity and sportsexperiences, such as: school leaders; Boards of Management; and ParentAssociations of all schools; after-school childcare providers at primary level; andStudent Councils at post-primary level. Those involved in co-ordinating and providing physical activity and sport incommunity contexts, such as the Co-ordinator attached to Local Sportspartnerships; Sports National Governing Bodies; and Physical Activity Co-ordinators.Additionally, it is aimed at parents / guardians and Parent Associations at primarylevel as they play an important role in the provision of co-curricular andcommunity-based physical activity and sport.What are our Definitions?In this guide: The term physical education refers to activities taught as part of the curriculumwithin class time where the emphasis is on learning. Physical activity is an all-encompassing term which includes physical education,sport, play and activity undertaken for enjoyment or health or performanceenhancing purposes. Sport refers to those activities that are organised in a structured way and have afocus on competition.p5