Last updated: 18 Oct 2007

Resources for teaching and assessment

QCA produces resources to support the teaching and assessment of PE in primary schools.

Programmes of study
At key stages 1 and 2 schools must deliver the programmes of study for PE. The programmes of study and level descriptions can be found on National curriculum online.

PE and School Sport (PESS) website
The PESS website provides guidance and case study material on achieving high-quality PESS and using it to make a difference to pupils and schools. Case studies from 50 schools and partnerships around the country, including 19 primary and four special schools, show how schools have increased participation, raised standards in PE and school sport, improved attainment across the curriculum, and used PESS to improve behaviour, attitudes to learning, attendance and leadership skills.

A range of guidance, posters and leaflets can be downloaded from the publications section of the PESS website, including:

• guidance and a poster pack on the high-quality outcomes of PESS
• a pack on how to use high-quality PESS to make a difference to pupils
• a chart and booklet to support the use of core tasks
• guidance on achieving effective school-club links
• a pack on increasing participation at key stages 1 and 2.

Safe swimming
QCA's Swimming safely, swimming well website provides practical ideas and guidance to help children and young people swim. Central to the site are a range of core tasks designed to help improve pupils' swimming skills, techniques and strokes.

Schemes of work
In 2000 QCA produced schemes of work designed to help teachers deliver the programmes of study. The schemes are non-statutory and show one way that the PE programmes of study can be interpreted for the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to adapt ideas from the schemes to meet their pupils' needs and the priorities of their school or department.

The schemes of work are on the Standards website or bought from QCA orderline.

Examples of pupils' work
The National Curriculum in Action website contains examples of pupils' work with commentaries explaining why the work exemplifies a particular national curriculum level. The examples come from different pupils, contexts and schools and include video clips of pupils, pupils' accounts of activities and responses to structured tasks and questions.

Encouraging creativity
Creativity: find it, promote it helps teachers recognise and promote creativity in the classroom. It includes an example of creativity in PE.

Assessment for learning in physical education
This pack, written by the QCA PE team, is a practical guide to effective assessment for learning in PE at key stages 1 to 4. It includes some excellent case study material with an accompanying CD-ROM. Available from the Association for Physical Education, it costs £29.99.