In this thought-provoking episode, Toni, Ronnie, and John tackle the common practice of praising performance in Physical Education. They challenge educators to move beyond generic praise and focus instead on recognizing effort, growth, resilience, and the journey to improvement. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, the hosts demonstrate how purposeful praise can transform classroom culture, student behaviour, and create more inclusive learning environments. Discover how to use praise as a powerful tool that nourishes long-term development.
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18:53
real nonsense episode 5: A sport first curriculum
Join hosts Toni Smith, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons as they tackle a common but questionable practice in physical education:
Sport-first curriculums
The team discusses why PE programs often prioritize specific sports over comprehensive skill development, the unintended consequences for pupils, and practical solutions for creating child-centred learning experiences. Whether you're a PE teacher, coach, or education professional, this episode offers valuable insights on building curricula that develop fundamental movement skills and positive learning behaviour’s while still incorporating sports in a meaningful way. Discover how making sports the servant, not the master, of your physical education program is a much improved approach.
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19:07
real nonsense episode 4: Mastering skills though playing games
Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath and John Parsons as they tackle the "nonsense" practices that persist in physical education but wouldn't be tolerated in any other subject.
In Episode 4, we explore why putting children into games before they've developed fundamental skills is setting many up for failure. As educators, we wouldn't expect children to write essays without teaching letter formation and sentence structure first, so why do we expect this in PE?
Our hosts discuss: Why game-based learning is valuable BUT insufficient alone. How to make deliberate practice engaging and effective. Creating progression that builds physical literacy year-on-year. Solutions for differentiation in physical skill development
Listen now and join the conversation about creating more coherent, inclusive physical education experiences.
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23:56
Episode 4 - What makes the biggest difference in PE?
Join host Toni Smyth and real PE founders Ronnie Heath and John Parsons to discover how to transform PE from an experience that too often leaves children feeling "embarrassed" and "humiliated" into one where every child feels they belong.
Listen as these passionate educators reveal why they felt compelled to challenge the status quo, how they identified that many primary teachers lacked confidence in PE due to their own negative experiences, and why they believe quality physical education is more crucial now than ever. With authenticity and conviction, they explain what "real" in real PE truly means - putting education back into physical education with a child-first approach that ensures every pupil can succeed.
Whether you're a PE specialist, primary teacher, school leader, or simply interested in educational transformation, this episode offers valuable insights into creating inclusive learning environments where all children can develop positive relationships with physical activity for life.
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real nonsense - Episode 1 - Is it ever okay for children to be "out" during PE lessons?
Join host Toni Smyth alongside real PE's CEO, Ronnie Heath and Director of Innovation, John Parsons as they tackle the outdated practices that still plague Physical Education. Each episode identifies ‘real nonsense’ - ineffective PE approaches that hinder children's learning and enjoyment - and offers practical solutions to transform these into engaging, inclusive learning experiences.
In our debut episode of the real nonsense podcast, we explore how traditional "out" games disadvantage those who need practice most while offering limited challenge to confident movers.
Our expert panel discusses how simple modifications can transform these activities into inclusive learning experiences where EVERY child gets maximum practice time.
Whether you're a PE teacher, coach, or educator passionate about physical activity, real nonsense provides actionable insights to create more joyful, effective Physical Education for all children.
Welcome to The real PE podcast - a friendly space for primary school educators passionate about transforming Physical Education and creating positive relationships with physical activity for EVERY child.
We're here to empower fellow educators. Join us as we explore ideas tailored for teaching 4-11 year olds:
1.Innovative approaches to engage, challenge and support EVERY child
2.Inclusive strategies to help EVERY child feel valued and included
3.Insights from our professional learning experiences to enrich your PE lessons
4.Practical ideas to create meaningful impact through Physical Education
We'll share experiences and success stories, discuss creative methods and offer helpful tips to refresh your PE curriculum. Whether you've been teaching for years or are just beginning your journey, The real PE podcast is a supportive community for educators committed to nurturing active, confident and healthy young people.
Come and join us as we explore new possibilities in Physical Educat...
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