We wrote a blog about this topic, and asked parents what they thought. There's a lot of emphasis on the evils of screens, but making movement/activity non-competitive, and embedding it throughout the day (not just in PE lessons) could make a difference. Active travel also very important for this generation (blog link: https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/how-can-we-help-teenagers-to-be-more-active/)
Unfortunately being forced to do "cross country" running alongside a major dual carriageway whilst wearing those dreadful 80s PE knickers killed any love of running for me, the amount of lorry drivers beeping and shouting things at us! We used to sneak off into Woolies for pick and mix. I remember even our parents asking if we could wear the gym skirts over the top and the PE teacher saying no. My daughter is now 15 and from year 10 her school gets it right I think- you can choose from lots of activities, all they want you to do is enjoy something - you have the usual stuff like netball, tennis, swimming but also things like volleyball, table tennis, climbing wall. You choose something different every half term. I wish I had had that!
Hm, great point. I avoided sports for years because of some bad experiences in PE as a kid — until I had a drastic change of heart at age 45! I wonder how many women are still carrying those early negative associations without even realizing it.
Same! That's the age when your identity is forged and, if you're not naturally competitive or just don't have the kind of body that is great at sport, then you can easily become an adult who believes that exercise isn't for them. This was me until my 40s for sure!
Even now, I feel a bit silly saying that I'm 'going for a run' because I'm so slow, it feels like I shouldn't identify as a runner - but it makes me feel great afterwards, so I need to focus on that
As a PE teacher and 2025 California Teacher of the Year, I know that PE can be better. It's my mission to have students, parents, and fellow PE teachers show students how wellness is an interconnected system. But I know for a fact, there are other PE teachers out there putting on some killer programs that aid students' confidence and competence in physical activity, nutrition, and social wellness.
Rosamund, I felt like you were telling my story as I read this. I would forge notes because I hated my P.E pants. I have tried so hard to encourage my 10 year old daughter so enjoy exercise - from rugby toys to girls football to gymnastics. All to no avail. She refused to attend school on PE days so now she can go to the library instead. She’s neurodivergent and really struggles in groups. She loved gymnastics at school though, so I wish she could do this or running. She too, has been practising cartwheels for the past 3 years! I will put my running gear on and go out for a run-walk-run-walk hoping this will encourage her to do the same. I’m desperate to try Reformer Pilates but everyone looks like they’re in their 20’s and I’m hitting 50!
Ahh yes I feel like big family walks at the weekend are a good entry point for enjoying movement. I'm in my 40s and definitely not the youngest at reformer pilates, but it is mega expensive, which is the thing that puts me off doing it more often. If I was rich, I'd be in there twice a week!
I so agree with this! PE teachers do more to put children off exercise than any other subject teacher. Why not teach a couch25K way to run instead of sending a whole class off & make those who don’t run well be humiliated by staggering back. You can tell I am scarred but also managed to complete two Races For Life in my forties. Now rather older I am weight training, doing both mat & reformer Pilates each week along with term time cardio tennis. If schools ran fitness classes, like leisure centres, rather than PE for the non-sporty children surely it would encourage better habits.
We wrote a blog about this topic, and asked parents what they thought. There's a lot of emphasis on the evils of screens, but making movement/activity non-competitive, and embedding it throughout the day (not just in PE lessons) could make a difference. Active travel also very important for this generation (blog link: https://www.wcrf.org/about-us/news-and-blogs/how-can-we-help-teenagers-to-be-more-active/)
Unfortunately being forced to do "cross country" running alongside a major dual carriageway whilst wearing those dreadful 80s PE knickers killed any love of running for me, the amount of lorry drivers beeping and shouting things at us! We used to sneak off into Woolies for pick and mix. I remember even our parents asking if we could wear the gym skirts over the top and the PE teacher saying no. My daughter is now 15 and from year 10 her school gets it right I think- you can choose from lots of activities, all they want you to do is enjoy something - you have the usual stuff like netball, tennis, swimming but also things like volleyball, table tennis, climbing wall. You choose something different every half term. I wish I had had that!
Oh god, that sounds awful, I'd be hiding in Woolies too! Sounds like your daughter's school has the right idea ❤️
Hm, great point. I avoided sports for years because of some bad experiences in PE as a kid — until I had a drastic change of heart at age 45! I wonder how many women are still carrying those early negative associations without even realizing it.
Same! That's the age when your identity is forged and, if you're not naturally competitive or just don't have the kind of body that is great at sport, then you can easily become an adult who believes that exercise isn't for them. This was me until my 40s for sure!
Even now, I feel a bit silly saying that I'm 'going for a run' because I'm so slow, it feels like I shouldn't identify as a runner - but it makes me feel great afterwards, so I need to focus on that
As a PE teacher and 2025 California Teacher of the Year, I know that PE can be better. It's my mission to have students, parents, and fellow PE teachers show students how wellness is an interconnected system. But I know for a fact, there are other PE teachers out there putting on some killer programs that aid students' confidence and competence in physical activity, nutrition, and social wellness.
Rosamund, I felt like you were telling my story as I read this. I would forge notes because I hated my P.E pants. I have tried so hard to encourage my 10 year old daughter so enjoy exercise - from rugby toys to girls football to gymnastics. All to no avail. She refused to attend school on PE days so now she can go to the library instead. She’s neurodivergent and really struggles in groups. She loved gymnastics at school though, so I wish she could do this or running. She too, has been practising cartwheels for the past 3 years! I will put my running gear on and go out for a run-walk-run-walk hoping this will encourage her to do the same. I’m desperate to try Reformer Pilates but everyone looks like they’re in their 20’s and I’m hitting 50!
Ahh yes I feel like big family walks at the weekend are a good entry point for enjoying movement. I'm in my 40s and definitely not the youngest at reformer pilates, but it is mega expensive, which is the thing that puts me off doing it more often. If I was rich, I'd be in there twice a week!
I so agree with this! PE teachers do more to put children off exercise than any other subject teacher. Why not teach a couch25K way to run instead of sending a whole class off & make those who don’t run well be humiliated by staggering back. You can tell I am scarred but also managed to complete two Races For Life in my forties. Now rather older I am weight training, doing both mat & reformer Pilates each week along with term time cardio tennis. If schools ran fitness classes, like leisure centres, rather than PE for the non-sporty children surely it would encourage better habits.
This is such a good idea, I wish they would do that in schools!