Trainee teachers orienteering day

Our trainee physical education teachers took part in a day of orienteering following their first school placement.

During the day they received information about the teaching of outdoor and adventurous activities in the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE). Practical activities included a compass exercise warm up, map symbol running game, map scale running game, cardinal cones exercise, netball numbers game and football pitch orienteering. They also learnt about star exercises, loop orienteering, odds and evens relays, score orienteering, QR Code orienteering, photo orienteering and how to use an App ‘Action Bound’ for orienteering along with electronic timing devises.

PGCE and School Direct Route Leader Dr Gary Stidder said: “The purpose of the day was to draw attention to ways in which the revised NCPE (2013) can be developed through orienteering activities on a school site and within the confines of the school grounds. The activities provided subject knowledge enhancement of orienteering that can be taught in physical education lessons across the year groups in Key Stage 3.

“The day highlighted ways in which orienteering activities can be taught on a school site and can be introduced in a safe and enjoyable way through a series of progressive lessons that aim to develop skills, challenging pupil’s physical and mental capacity, and providing opportunities for pupils to make and apply decisions and learn navigational skills.

“In this context, the event provided examples of activities that can be based in the sports hall, gym, playground, school field and can be adapted and personalised to meet the specific needs of individual pupils”.

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