Whats the status on P.E. in schools?

katie1812

PE is part of the national curriculum as far as I'm aware so your daughter would have to do the compulsory PE lessons that all students do but obviously not the 'options' lessons as she will be in a different lesson.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Quite often schools will introduce more agreeable activities in the last year - when I was 15/16 (back in the twelfth century ), we were able to choose a lot, could use the gym machines, do aerobics, play badminton, football, baseball, that kind of thing. I did more exercise in that one short year that I had done in the previous four.

Katexx

What will they actually do if she refuses to take part? In Year 10 and 11 I only did racquetball - 90% of the time I was 'ill'. I hated PE with a passion. I would've happily gone swimming twice a week but running, netball, rounders, etc? Not a chance! The teachers clearly knew I was making it up but they didn't bother with detention or anything so there was absolutely nothing stopping me from not taking part. Pretty sure skipping PE did me no harm, and it stopped me dreading to go to school on those days.

Callie22

Janepig wrote: »

How is she going to manage in employment when she's asked to do a task that she doesn't want to do? Get you to ring up and see if she can be excused?

Jx

To be fair, I can't recall a single occasion in my working life where I've had to get undressed in front of my colleagues and take a communal shower with them, and I don't recall being made to wear a teeny skirt and run around the office whilst my male colleagues make fun of my boobs either. I absolutely loathed PE at school and did everything I could to get out of it but it bears no relation to how I now conduct my working life as an adult.

jackyann

When I was a school governor, some of the girls sent us a letter asking about doing different activities during PE, for all the reasons above (and I have to say, that those who can sight a ball, have absolutely no idea why the rest of us can't!)
It was discussed properly, and we did what we could (quite a small school).
I suggest a proper approach by the student herself (stating she has your approval) to the relevant teacher / head of PE with a copy to head & governors, explaining her dislike of formal PE, but willingness to participate in exercise. Whatever the response & result, she will have learned a valuable lesson. And I would add, that were I her parent, I would say that I would back her in this approach, but not in any attempt to flunk or "can't be bothered".

Janepig

Callie22 wrote: »

To be fair, I can't recall a single occasion in my working life where I've had to get undressed in front of my colleagues and take a communal shower with them, and I don't recall being made to wear a teeny skirt and run around the office whilst my male colleagues make fun of my boobs either. I absolutely loathed PE at school and did everything I could to get out of it but it bears no relation to how I now conduct my working life as an adult.

Heavens above, how many times!!! WHAT you are trying to use Mummy to get out of is not the point, it's the fact of TRYING to use Mummy to get out of it that I'm getting at. Can't you see that? No, obviously not <rolls eyes>. As mentioned twice, I spent years getting out of doing PE, but I did it myself, I took whatever punishment was doled out for getting out of it myself. I didn't need Mummy to try and help me wriggle out of it - and she wouldn't have anyway. Hence, when I entered the world of work, I didn't turn to my mother when I wanted to get out of doing something I didn't like, whether that be having to wear a teeny skirt (well a skirt anyway, which yes, I've had to do) or interview not very nice people in prison cells, etc...

Jx

ciderwithrosie_2

Maybe she could do a bit of a poll amongst her year group as to whether they're happy with the curriculum or if not, what sports/activities they'd like to be offered in PE lessons e.g. zumba, circuit training, dodgeball. Then if you do contact the board of governors she's got a bit more to back her case, i'll look like she's doing it for everyone's benefit not just being a pain. If they won't budge, then at least she's only got a few months left!

jackyann

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

Maybe she could do a bit of a poll amongst her year group as to whether they're happy with the curriculum or if not, what sports/activities they'd like to be offered in PE lessons e.g. zumba, circuit training, dodgeball. Then if you do contact the board of governors she's got a bit more to back her case, i'll look like she's doing it for everyone's benefit not just being a pain. If they won't budge, then at least she's only got a few months left!

I agree that the collective approach is a good one (in principle, see below), but again, needs to be done properly - for instance she might suggest examples of alternative activities, but be aware that there might not be qualified instructors for some of them.

Doing a poll without talking to the school first might look like stirring things up, whilst an approach from only a small number might look elitist or exclusive. However, an approach from a few, including a consultation suggestion might be useful.

GobbledyGook

Janepig wrote: »

Heavens above, how many times!!! WHAT you are trying to use Mummy to get out of is not the point, it's the fact of TRYING to use Mummy to get out of it that I'm getting at. Can't you see that? No, obviously not <rolls eyes>. As mentioned twice, I spent years getting out of doing PE, but I did it myself, I took whatever punishment was doled out for getting out of it myself. I didn't need Mummy to try and help me wriggle out of it - and she wouldn't have anyway. Hence, when I entered the world of work, I didn't turn to my mother when I wanted to get out of doing something I didn't like, whether that be having to wear a teeny skirt (well a skirt anyway, which yes, I've had to do) or interview not very nice people in prison cells, etc...

Jx

15 year old children shouldn't be making the decision to drop a school subject, any school subject, without a discussion with their parents. A school also shouldn't ever allow a 15 year old child to drop a school subject, or continually dodge a school subject, without speaking to the parent.

I worked with my grandparents and my school to get out of P.E. and in many ways it didn't do me any harm workwise. In fact in many ways it helped as it was a time where I wanted to be an adult and make a decision, but (as is often the case in a work situation) I had to deal with the negotiating around the requirements of other people. I didn't "turn to my Mummy" when I had a work situation I wanted out of either, but when I was a child at school it was only right that the people in the parenting role for me were involved imo.

savingmummy

PE is important not only for exercise but for team building and communication reasons too.

I would speak with the PE teacher and see if they can help make PE better for her.
I wouldn`t imagine school has changed much since i left but in the final year we did get a choice of different activities and it wasn`t set PE lessons as other years were.


I hated PE used to sign myself off many a time until i got caught out LOL!!