Who’s our guest?

Siobhán first found wheelchair basketball in 2010 following a playground to podium event which introduced her to the sport. As a junior, she first played for CWBA where she achieved great success at the School Games and Junior Championships. Alongside her junior game, she also competed with the clubs National League and Women’s League teams.

An award-winning player, Siobhán has an extensive junior career having co-captained the women’s team to back-to-back championship wins at the 2015 U25 Worlds and 2016 U24 Europeans – a feat not achieved by any other female GB junior team. In 2018 the squad retained their U24 European Title and in 2019 the team brought home the U25 World Championship Bronze Medal.

What do we discuss?

· Emphasises the importance of inclusivity in PE lessons

· Talks about the need for adapting sessions for young people with different abilities

· Discusses the challenges faced by teachers in incorporating PE into the curriculum

· Highlights the importance of assessment and finding alternative ways to assess pupil’s progress

· Encourages teachers to make small changes in their lessons and use funding effectively

· Advice for teachers to not overthink and to ask for help when needed

· Acknowledges the hard work of teachers and encourages them to try new approaches in PE

Who’s our guest?

Sam Horton is a passionate PE teacher who believes strongly in physical education, sport, and physical activity as essential contributors to children's love for healthy living and a tool to end physical inactivity. Sam possesses six years of experience at Wollescote Primary School and prior experience in sports coaching. He is particularly enthusiastic about sports and pursued a pathway into teaching to continue his passion on a professional level. He recently earned a promotion as the PE coordinator for Wollescote Primary School and is driven to enhance the PE culture within the school. His vision is based around the school ethos 'Be proud, be positive, be polite'.

Despite his achievements, Sam remains humble and continuously strives for self-improvement, both in his abilities and in pushing PE to the forefront of the school environment. This is evident in his initiative to start girls' football at the school, which demonstrates his commitment to inclusivity. Additionally, Sam is highly engaged with the community, desiring to involve guardians and parents in the school's activities and to make them aware of the benefits and importance of PE in children's development.


What do we discuss?

-The importance of communication and sportsmanship in PE
-The role of sports leaders in promoting sportsmanship
-Debunking myths about PE teaching
-The power of networking and collaboration in PE leadership
-The importance of sportsmanship in school culture
-The role of in-house competitions in promoting sportsmanship
-The use of resources in enhancing PE teaching
-Engaging the community in promoting physical activity
-Feedback and reports: enhancing parental engagement
-Setting goals: The journey to high standard PESSPA
-Tracking physical activity: The future of school fitness
-After school clubs: Enhancing pupil engagement
-Empowering pupils in sports decision making
-Fostering leadership skills
-Launching a girls football team
-Creating a vision for PE: A guide for new teachers
-Creating effective PE resources: A personal journey
-Best practices for PE lessons: A comprehensive guide
-Top five tips for influencing PE and creating an active ethos

Taking the plunge: The evolution of primary school swimming

Who’s our guest?

Kaylë has been a swimming teacher for 23 years and specialises in baby and pre-school swimming. With 19 years of tutoring experience, she is passionate about encouraging people to learn to swim and be safe in water. She has spoken internationally about the importance of learning to swim within a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment with participants at the centre of the lesson.

Kaylë managed a swim school before joining STA in 2012. Recently appointed as the Director of Education at STA, Kaylë heads up the Qualification Development and Compliance team, creating fit-for-purpose, high-quality training qualifications and supporting the expanding Approved Training Centre workforce to ensure compliance and quality assurance for learners and employers across the sector. She is passionate about swimming - her happy place - and believes in its transformative power, both for individual health and social benefits.

What do we discuss?

· The Importance of Swimming in Primary Schools

· Interview with Kaylë Brightwell from STA

· The role of STA in promoting swimming education

· The challenges and solutions in school swimming education

· The challenges of incorporating swimming into the school curriculum

· The importance of prioritising swimming in schools

· Practical tips for implementing swimming lessons in primary schools.

· The role of teachers and resources in promoting swimming

· The impact of swimming on pupils and the community