Physical Education students arrange outdoor education day

Published 12 November 2012

Over 250 year 7 pupils from the St Leonards Academy recently took part in a day of outdoor education at the School of Sport and Service Management. The day was run by first year Physical Education BA(Hons) students as part their level 4 module.

Pupils took part in orienteering sessions, trust games and problem solving activities that involved group decision-making.

Physical Education BA(Hons) student, James Taylor thought it was a very rewarding experience. He said: “It was helped me to realise the positive benefits that children get from taking part in activities that have an element of managed and controlled risk.”

St Leonards Academy pupils taking part in problem solving activities

Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS student Chinice Oliver said: “This has added to my existing subject knowledge and helped me to appreciate ways in which these types of outdoor and adventurous activities can help young people to work more effectively in teams and groups.”

The day was facilitated by principal lecturer Dr Gary Stidder, senior lecturer Kevin Morton and projects officer Graham Spacey.

Principal lecturer Dr Gary Stidder said “These types of activities dispel the myth that Physical Education teachers just coach sport. The activities help young people to work collaboratively to solve problems where there is always an uncertainty in the outcomes. This involves a range of different teaching styles and educational approaches which can be a valuable pedagogical tool for those aspiring to become teachers of Physical Education.”

Watch the video below to learn more about the day: