How do we as primary educators prepare children for intra and inter competition in a primary school setting?

Competition in the primary Physical Education National Curriculum, has been placed within not only the purpose of study but also within the aims of the Key stages 1 and 2, showing the current value of competition (DfE, 2013). Opportunities to compete and engage in competitive sports and activities are recommended, yet no guidance as to how to prepare the children to be ready for competition or how to cope with competition are offered within the curriculum guidance to ensure that all children continue with physical activity and go on to lead healthy active lifestyles.

Competition in the primary Physical Education National Curriculum, has been placed within not only the purpose of study but also within the aims of the Key stages 1 and 2, showing the current value of competition (DfE, 2013). Opportunities to compete and engage in competitive sports and activities are recommended, yet no guidance as to how to prepare the children to be ready for competition or how to cope with competition are offered within the curriculum guidance to ensure that all children continue with physical activity and go on to lead healthy active lifestyles.

The data was analysed through the coding process and the results showed that to prepare children for competition, strategies were dependent upon the type of child. For the talented children these were: frequent opportunities to practice skills, regular opportunities to compete, working alongside someone of the same ability. For the non talented children, they needed to: compete in a safe environment that focused upon improving personal best and to work alongside someone of the same ability. The results also indicated that teachers needed the following support: regular continuous professional development (CPD) to improve Physical Education subject knowledge and team teaching to enhance opportunities for competition within lessons.