Daniel Parton, a primary school teacher and licensed Athletics Jumps Coach, leads this on-demand course. It aims to provide teachers and coaches with an understanding of the importance of athletics in the national curriculum for EYFS Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Units include topics like lesson structure, the language used in athletics, and accommodating pupils with different abilities.
Athletics serves as building blocks for various sports activities, allowing pupils to compare their performances and strive for personal bests. The course emphasises this importance in primary schools, covering three key areas: running, jumping, and throwing. Each element focuses on different physical skills and abilities, and the national curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 aims to develop fundamental movements, flexibility, strength, and technique.
The comprehensive structure for an athletics lesson is outlined in the course with the structure consisting of six key phases: sport knowledge, warmup, exploration, skill progression and application, competition, and cooldown. Each phase is designed to provide context, encourage experimentation, teach specific skills, promote healthy rivalry, and conclude with reinforcing learning and feedback activities.
The importance of using correct terminology in athletics is highlighted in the course and key terms are explained with a glossary provided for reference.
Scaffolding and extension of pupil learning are discussed within the course, emphasising the STEP principle (Space, Task, Equipment, People) and strategies to support more able thinkers.
Progression across Key Stage One and Key Stage Two is also detailed in the course, covering foundational skills and the introduction of various events and styles to refine techniques and skills.
