Some of the schools we support our confused about what to deliver due to social distancing and Covid. Can they deliver contact sport? Here's our advice
The guidance has changed again regarding contact sport as all the main NGB's have started back with contact activities.
"Physical activity in schools:
Schools have the flexibility to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst following the measures in their system of controls.
Sports whose national governing bodies have developed guidance under the principles of the government’s guidance on team sport and been approved by the government are permitted. Schools must only provide team sports on the list available at return to recreational team sport framework.
Pupils should be kept in consistent groups, sports equipment thoroughly cleaned between each use by different individual groups.
Outdoor sports should be prioritised where possible, and large indoor spaces used where it is not, maximising natural ventilation flows (through opening windows and doors or using air conditioning systems wherever possible) distancing between pupils and paying scrupulous attention to cleaning and hygiene. This is particularly important in a sports setting because of the way in which people breathe during exercise. External facilities can also be used in line with government guidance for the use of, and travel to and from, those facilities.
Schools should refer to the following guidance:
guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation and guidance from Sport England for grassroot sport
advice from organisations such as the Association for Physical Education and the Youth Sport Trust
guidance from Swim England on school swimming and water safety lessons available at returning to pools guidance documents
Schools are able to work with external coaches, clubs and organisations for curricular and extra-curricular activities where they are satisfied that it is safe to do so. Schools should consider carefully how such arrangements can operate within their wider protective measures.
Our qualified teachers will be delivering more skills-based sessions at first with a competitive element. All areas of the PE NC can be delivered still. Staff just need be more creative. We have also suggested as the term goes on that staff begin to gradually add some small sided games to the activity if it is appropriate.
