PE Department - Participation Policy

This Policy relates to participation within Physical Education and Games lessons. It is aimed at Key stage 3 and 4 pupils and therefore covers Core Lessons as well as Examination lessons.

As with the theory behind the department’s Risk Assessment, it is a general guide from which staff and parents can make informed decisions as to the level of a pupil’s participation.

Although it is comprehensive and progressive, it is assumed that ‘common sense’ will always be the basis for individual cases.

The Physical Education department believes that :

1. Physical activity is fundamentally important to a pupil’s health and fitness.

2. Every lesson is an opportunity to learn.

3. There are a four key strands to learning in this subject :-

Within the context of the lesson, pupils learn and experience different roles, e.g. performer, coach, official etc.

Stage On - Full Participation

Standard Participation or If a pupil has or is recovering from an injury / illness, but they can fully participate in the practical element of the lesson – they must inform the teacher of the situation so that it can be monitored. Full appropriate kit must be worn.

Stage Two - Part Participation

 As with stage one, but in this instance a parental letter must be submitted to enable the teacher to make informed decisions on the level of participation. Full appropriate kit must be worn.

Stage Three— Participation in a different activity

Where a pupil can not physically take part in their allocated activity, there is a possibility of them being moved to a different activity in order for them to still be active / learn. Stage three is only possible where it has been prearranged with the head of department, due to the obvious logistical issues.

Stage Four—Non-participation in chosen activity

If a pupil has an injury / illness which prevents any participation in the practical element of the lesson, it is expected that they will still take part fully in the learning. Full appropriate kit must be worn, so that they are suitably dressed to undertake different roles e.g. official, coach etc.

(Pupils are strongly recommended to bring extra protective clothing, for example the school rain jacket or similar, dependent on weather conditions)  

Note – If it is not possible to change due to the type of injury, then indoor activities go ahead as normal - outdoor activities may need to consider stage five depending on the weather & the activity.

In this situation please contact Head of the PE Department as early as possible to discuss

Stage Five - Alternative arrangements

If a pupil is unable to undertake the different roles, it will be necessary to make alternative arrangements for their learning. Staff and parents have a number of choices available. Please contact Head of the PE Department to consider the issues