Team building and problem solving

PGCE and School Direct Physical Education trainee teachers came together at the start of their teacher training course to take part in a series of team-building exercises.

The exercises were in preparation for a year 7 transition day with Gildredge House School and were designed to develop group dynamics and working relationships.

The trainees took part in a series of ice-breaking activities, followed by activities in small groups to help develop trust and responsibility.

The trainees then took part in a number of larger group activities designed to promote problem solving and decision making using minimal equipment.

You can see some of the activities in a short film created by student James Finn:

Dr Gary Stidder, PGCE and School Direct Physical Education Route Leader, said: “Physical education is about education hence its name.

“Team work, communication and leadership are an essential part of life along with problem solving and joint decision-making. Part of the process was to show our trainees how to teach these activities with little or no equipment.

“These practical activities, that can be used with young people in schools, have been designed to promote those very things which can help to bring young people together and promote lifelong transferable skills such as team work, communication skills and building positive relationships with their peers.”