Physical education in primary schools
This SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) funded project commenced in April 2011
The seven-month project will address SPARC’s Research Grant Theme 1.3 ‘Schools’. The project is designed as a scoping study focusing on the primary school sector. It aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of:
- The types of Physical Education (PE), sport and recreation opportunities that are being provided within and beyond the school curriculum. Provision ‘within and beyond the curriculum’ is defined as encompassing PE, sport and recreation opportunities that are directed towards students from any given school, occurring within the formal curriculum, in co-curricula activities, and outside of school hours.
- Who (in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and ability) provision is directed towards and ‘connecting with’ (in terms of (i) participation in opportunities presented, and (ii) the perceived appeal of opportunities available).
- The key factors influencing provision, including the skills, knowledge and respective roles of teachers (specialist and non-specialist) and others (including coaches and ‘external providers’) involved in provision.
- Ways in which provision may be enhanced, from the perspective of students, teachers and other stakeholders.
The above issues will be explored in three localities (reflecting demographic variations) and within each locality, varied school contexts. A qualitative-interpretative approach and multiple case study design will be used to provide rich insight into the ‘lay of land’ in relation to provision of PE, sport and recreation within and beyond the school curriculum for Aotearoa New Zealand students.
Project outputs
Penney, D., Pope, C.C., lisahunter, Phillips, S., Dewar, P. (2013). Physical Education and Sport in Primary Schools. Executive Summary. Sport New Zealand.
Penney, D., Pope, C.C., lisahunter, Phillips, S., Dewar, P. (2013). Physical Education and Sport in Primary Schools. Final Report. Sport New Zealand.