PADSIS Forum Questionnaire Results (N=123)
1. What proportion of practical PE lessons are currently delivered “live” ?
Less than 25%: 59%, 25–50%: 18%, 50–75%: 11%, Over 75%: 12%
2. Are you intending to trial new, or different, sports in the programme from September?
No: 4%, Yes: 46%, Undecided: 50%
3. Are you hoping to run a version of traditional team games from September?
No: 15%, Yes: 85%
4. Are you intending to have a regular Saturday sport offer next term?
Not at all: 6%, Occasional Saturdays: 15%, Every Saturday: 55%, Undecided: 24%
5. Do you think the current seasons of school sport FOR BOYS require adjustment ?
No: 28%, Yes: 29%, Undecided: 43%
6. Do you think the current seasons of school sport FOR GIRLS require adjustment ?
No: 32%, Yes: 33%, Undecided: 35%
7. Are you intending to include traditional summer term activities in the autumn term?
No: 29%,Yes: 71%
8. Are you intending to use the autumn term to experiment with changed seasons ?
No: 14%, Yes: 19%, Undecided: 67%
9. How many of your sports staff/PE teachers are currently furloughed?
Less than 25%: 34%, 25–50%: 22%,50–75%: 22%, Over 75%: 22%
10. Are you expecting all full time sports coaches/PE teachers to return from furlough in September?
No: 3%, Yes: 50%, Yet to be decided: 47%
Commentary
The most significant conclusion from these results is that there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the sector, and plans for next term.Many decisions remain to be taken regarding programmes and staff.
There is fairly wide agreement that summer sports will feature in the autumn term, for the first time in a lot of schools.This may reflect the missed opportunities for pupils in the current term, as well as the relative ease of socially distancing these activities relative to winter games.There has long been debate about this possibility, and it may be that many schools are taking the opportunity to experiment with the feasibility of this.Views on other seasonal adjustments – temporary and permanent – are very inconclusive.Any re-arrangement would probably require a greater level of commitment than this.
Equally clear is that the great majority of schools will seek to run a programme as close as possible to previous years, with an emphasis on traditional activities and a clear commitment to Saturday activities.
