The real PE podcast

In this thought-provoking episode of real Nonsense, Ronnie Heath (CEO of Create Development) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle a critical issue in physical education: the dangerous acceptance of low ambition targets. The conversation centres on a startling reality - when children start formal schooling, the recommended physical activity drops from three hours to just one hour per day. Why? Not because it's what children need, but because it's deemed "achievable" within current constraints. John and Ronnie explore how accepting these lowered expectations creates a cascade of problems: Post-COVID data showing children are three years behind in fundamental movement skills The shifting of "normal" that accepts declining physical competency How low ambitions affect not just PE, but cognitive functioning, concentration, and overall development The duo shares powerful examples of how expectations shape outcomes, from maths setting errors to basketball coaching breakthroughs, demonstrating that our beliefs about what's possible directly impact children's achievements. Most importantly, they offer solutions: identifying children needing support earlier, embedding movement throughout the school day, and crucially, making physical activity joyful and developmentally appropriate. The message is clear - we must state ambitious goals, celebrate progress towards them, and never accept that "average" is good enough when average means our children are falling behind.

In this thought-provoking episode of real Nonsense, Ronnie Heath (CEO of Create Development) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle a critical issue in physical education: the dangerous acceptance of low ambition targets. The conversation centres on a startling reality - when children start formal schooling, the recommended physical activity drops from three hours to just one hour per day. Why? Not because it's what children need, but because it's deemed "achievable" within current constraints. John and Ronnie explore how accepting these lowered expectations creates a cascade of problems: Post-COVID data showing children are three years behind in fundamental movement skills The shifting of "normal" that accepts declining physical competency How low ambitions affect not just PE, but cognitive functioning, concentration, and overall development The duo shares powerful examples of how expectations shape outcomes, from maths setting errors to basketball coaching breakthroughs, demonstrating that our beliefs about what's possible directly impact children's achievements. Most importantly, they offer solutions: identifying children needing support earlier, embedding movement throughout the school day, and crucially, making physical activity joyful and developmentally appropriate. The message is clear - we must state ambitious goals, celebrate progress towards them, and never accept that "average" is good enough when average means our children are falling behind.

In this special edition of the real PE podcast, CEO Ronnie Heath interviews John Parsons, Director of Innovation at real PE, about implementing physical literacy in primary school curricula. They explore how the award-winning real PE platform transforms physical education from a performance-focused subject to an inclusive, child-centred approach that develops the whole person. John unpacks the 'cogs' framework, diving deep into personal and social development as foundational elements of physical literacy. From helping young children cope with small failures to building collaborative learning cultures, this episode provides practical insights for teachers and coaches looking to create positive, inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Drawing on over 15 years of curriculum development and examples from elite sport (including insights from the All Blacks), the conversation demonstrates how focusing on personal resilience, social skills, and emotional development creates stronger foundations for lifelong physical activity than traditional PE approaches. Perfect for primary teachers, PE specialists, early years practitioners, and anyone interested in creating more inclusive approaches to physical education and sport. Key topics covered: Understanding physical literacy beyond just physical skills The personal cog: Building resilience, perseverance and learning behaviours The social cog: Developing collaboration, peer support and leadership Creating environments where every child feels valued Practical implementation strategies for busy teachers Why the best teachers and coaches focus on how children feel, not just what they can do

In this special edition of the real PE podcast, CEO Ronnie Heath interviews John Parsons, Director of Innovation at real PE, about implementing physical literacy in primary school curricula. They explore how the award-winning real PE platform transforms physical education from a performance-focused subject to an inclusive, child-centred approach that develops the whole person. John unpacks the 'cogs' framework, diving deep into personal and social development as foundational elements of physical literacy. From helping young children cope with small failures to building collaborative learning cultures, this episode provides practical insights for teachers and coaches looking to create positive, inclusive environments where every child can thrive. Drawing on over 15 years of curriculum development and examples from elite sport (including insights from the All Blacks), the conversation demonstrates how focusing on personal resilience, social skills, and emotional development creates stronger foundations for lifelong physical activity than traditional PE approaches. Perfect for primary teachers, PE specialists, early years practitioners, and anyone interested in creating more inclusive approaches to physical education and sport. Key topics covered: Understanding physical literacy beyond just physical skills The personal cog: Building resilience, perseverance and learning behaviours The social cog: Developing collaboration, peer support and leadership Creating environments where every child feels valued Practical implementation strategies for busy teachers Why the best teachers and coaches focus on how children feel, not just what they can do

In this special edition of the real PE podcast Ronnie Heath and John Parsons dissect physical literacy: Is it genuinely different from good PE, or are we just rebranding what we should have been doing all along? In this candid special edition, they explore the new consensus statement, the Patchwork project, and why schools still struggle to distinguish PE from sport. With brutal honesty about grassroots practice and thought-provoking questions about terminology, this episode tackles the gap between ambition and reality in children's physical development. Essential listening for anyone working in education, sport, or child development. Join us for an honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversation about: The new consensus statement for physical literacy in England and what it really means Why physical literacy sounds remarkably similar to what real PE has championed for 16 years The critical difference (or is there one?) between physical literacy and physical education Whether we're reinventing the wheel or genuinely moving the sector forward The Patchwork project's work translating theory into practice across communities Why parents still can't tell the difference between PE and sport – and whose fault that is The brutal truth about grassroots sport and the gap between what we say and what we do This episode doesn't shy away from the hard questions. If physical literacy is about how we move, connect, think, and feel – isn't that just describing good education full stop? Is sculpture part of physical literacy? What about drama or playing a musical instrument? Ronnie challenges whether we're simply admitting that PE is finally catching up with child development science, whilst John defends the intent behind the movement and the real problems it's trying to solve. Both agree on one thing: translating good principles into actual practice remains our biggest challenge. Whether you're a PE teacher, school leader, sports coach, or anyone working in children's physical development, this conversation will make you think differently about the language we use and the change we're trying to create.

In this special edition of the real PE podcast Ronnie Heath and John Parsons dissect physical literacy: Is it genuinely different from good PE, or are we just rebranding what we should have been doing all along? In this candid special edition, they explore the new consensus statement, the Patchwork project, and why schools still struggle to distinguish PE from sport. With brutal honesty about grassroots practice and thought-provoking questions about terminology, this episode tackles the gap between ambition and reality in children's physical development. Essential listening for anyone working in education, sport, or child development. Join us for an honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversation about: The new consensus statement for physical literacy in England and what it really means Why physical literacy sounds remarkably similar to what real PE has championed for 16 years The critical difference (or is there one?) between physical literacy and physical education Whether we're reinventing the wheel or genuinely moving the sector forward The Patchwork project's work translating theory into practice across communities Why parents still can't tell the difference between PE and sport – and whose fault that is The brutal truth about grassroots sport and the gap between what we say and what we do This episode doesn't shy away from the hard questions. If physical literacy is about how we move, connect, think, and feel – isn't that just describing good education full stop? Is sculpture part of physical literacy? What about drama or playing a musical instrument? Ronnie challenges whether we're simply admitting that PE is finally catching up with child development science, whilst John defends the intent behind the movement and the real problems it's trying to solve. Both agree on one thing: translating good principles into actual practice remains our biggest challenge. Whether you're a PE teacher, school leader, sports coach, or anyone working in children's physical development, this conversation will make you think differently about the language we use and the change we're trying to create.

Join hosts Ronnie Heath (CEO of Create Development) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE), as they delve into an engaging conversation with Emma Lewry, early years expert and consultant, as she shares transformative insights on extending play-based learning beyond reception. Discover how movement, choice, and continuous provision can revolutionise learning throughout primary school, creating engaged, motivated learners who love coming to school. In this inspiring real PE special edition, we're joined by Emma Leary, an experienced headteacher turned consultant who's pioneering the extension of early years best practice into Key Stage 1 and beyond. Emma shares her journey from the "glitter and Play-Doh" of early years teaching through three headships to her current work supporting schools across the UK in implementing play-based, movement-rich approaches that transform children's engagement with learning. This episode is essential listening for anyone who believes children should love learning and that school should be a place of joy, not just compliance.  

Join hosts Ronnie Heath (CEO of Create Development) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE), as they delve into an engaging conversation with Emma Lewry, early years expert and consultant, as she shares transformative insights on extending play-based learning beyond reception. Discover how movement, choice, and continuous provision can revolutionise learning throughout primary school, creating engaged, motivated learners who love coming to school. In this inspiring real PE special edition, we're joined by Emma Leary, an experienced headteacher turned consultant who's pioneering the extension of early years best practice into Key Stage 1 and beyond. Emma shares her journey from the "glitter and Play-Doh" of early years teaching through three headships to her current work supporting schools across the UK in implementing play-based, movement-rich approaches that transform children's engagement with learning. This episode is essential listening for anyone who believes children should love learning and that school should be a place of joy, not just compliance.  

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation) for an extraordinary conversation with Sarah Moon, Membership Experience Manager at real PE and former Head Coach of the GB Rhythmic Gymnastics team at the 2012 Olympics. In this fascinating episode, Sarah shares her remarkable journey from coaching elite gymnasts on the world's biggest stage to supporting thousands of primary school teachers across the UK. Discover how the principles that helped Team GB achieve their best-ever Olympic performance translate directly to creating inclusive, personalised learning experiences in school halls nationwide. Sarah reveals the surprising similarities between coaching Olympic athletes and working with a class of 30 primary school children, exploring how a 'personal best' mindset can transform both elite performance and everyday PE lessons. Learn about the development of real Gym, the innovative programme breaking down barriers and stereotypes around gymnastics in schools. This episode challenges preconceptions about elite sport and education, showing how personalisation, belonging, and celebrating individual progress are essential whether you're preparing for the Olympics or helping a child take their first tentative steps on a gymnastics mat. Perfect for educators, coaches, and anyone interested in how high-performance principles can enhance learning for every child.

Podcast Description Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation) for an extraordinary conversation with Sarah Moon, former Head Coach of the GB Rhythmic Gymnastics team at the 2012 Olympics. In this fascinating episode, Sarah shares her remarkable journey from coaching elite gymnasts on the world's biggest stage to supporting thousands of primary school teachers across the UK. Discover how the principles that helped Team GB achieve their best-ever Olympic performance translate directly to creating inclusive, personalised learning experiences in school halls nationwide. Sarah reveals the surprising similarities between coaching Olympic athletes and working with a class of 30 primary school children, exploring how a 'personal best' mindset can transform both elite performance and everyday PE lessons. Learn about the development of real Gym, the innovative programme breaking down barriers and stereotypes around gymnastics in schools. This episode challenges preconceptions about elite sport and education, showing how personalisation, belonging, and celebrating individual progress are essential whether you're preparing for the Olympics or helping a child take their first tentative steps on a gymnastics mat. Perfect for educators, coaches, and anyone interested in how high-performance principles can enhance learning for every child.

In this passionate episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons discuss whether focusing on holistic development—personal, social, and emotional skills—distracts from core physical outcomes in PE. The trio explore the "cog theory" of learning, demonstrating how different areas of development work together like interconnected cogs. When one cog sticks, the whole system fails. They argue that far from being a distraction, holistic approaches actually accelerate learning and make PE more inclusive for all pupils.

In this passionate episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons discuss whether focusing on holistic development—personal, social, and emotional skills—distracts from core physical outcomes in PE. The trio explore the "cog theory" of learning, demonstrating how different areas of development work together like interconnected cogs. When one cog sticks, the whole system fails. They argue that far from being a distraction, holistic approaches actually accelerate learning and make PE more inclusive for all pupils.

This brilliant episode see's hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle the misconception that deliberate practice of physical skills has to be boring and repetitive. In this engaging episode, the team explores why traditional skills practice can feel monotonous when not delivered well, and share creative, age-appropriate solutions that maintain the essential repetition needed for physical learning whilst making it joyful and engaging. From adventure-based learning in early years to whole-part-whole approaches in Key Stage 2, discover how to transform repetitive practices into meaningful, fun experiences that children actually want to participate in. The discussion covers practical strategies for different age groups, the importance of choice and challenge in learning, and how deliberate practice extends beyond physical skills to include learning behaviours that benefit all aspects of education. Whether you're a primary teacher, PE specialist, or grassroots coach, this episode provides actionable insights for making skills practice both effective and enjoyable.

A brilliant episode as hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle the misconception that deliberate practice of physical skills has to be boring and repetitive. In this engaging episode, the team explores why traditional skills practice can feel monotonous when not delivered well, and share creative, age-appropriate solutions that maintain the essential repetition needed for physical learning whilst making it joyful and engaging. From adventure-based learning in early years to whole-part-whole approaches in Key Stage 2, discover how to transform repetitive practices into meaningful, fun experiences that children actually want to participate in. The discussion covers practical strategies for different age groups, the importance of choice and challenge in learning, and how deliberate practice extends beyond physical skills to include learning behaviours that benefit all aspects of education. Whether you're a primary teacher, PE specialist, or grassroots coach, this episode provides actionable insights for making skills practice both effective and enjoyable.

This engaging episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils. Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school. Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils. The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

This engaging episode of real nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils. Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school. Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils. The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

In this essential episode of real Nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough. The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier. The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

In this essential episode of real nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough. The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier. The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE. In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully. The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE. In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully. The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.