What should pupils learn in physical education?

This chapter is designed to raise issues concerned with what might be called the ‘subject matter’ of physical education. Other chapters such as Chapter 8, address aspects of how physical education might be taught. This chapter considers what might be taught. There are three principal aspects of content that will be considered as significant in respect of the material covered in lessons. These are, first, movement skills such as throwing, rolling, jumping, diving and running; second, physical activities such as dance and athletics; and third, theory related to human movement within disciplines such as anatomy and physiology. In conjunction with this debate there are issues concerned with whether the pupils should have any choice in the activities they follow and whether extracurricular work should be seen as an opportunity to extend physical education experiences for all pupils (see also Chapter 11). The debates that are raised in this chapter are closely related to issues considered in other chapters. Different views will be expressed and persuasive arguments presented. The challenge for the reader is to reflect on the relative validity of the positions presented and to come to a reasoned personal view on each of the issues. Without belittling the good work being carried out in physical education in many schools, the chapter is written as a critique of a current practice. The rationale here is that some learners could make more progress in physical education than is currently the case. The chapter is presented as a dialogue.