PE Insights Podcast

How can movement contribute to a school where children feel connected, supported and ready to take part? In Episode 93 of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan Walker speaks with Michael “Mike” Ellis from Greenside Primary School in Tameside about one primary school’s approach to improving wellbeing and increasing physical activity. Alongside teaching PE, Mike leads on attendance and behaviour. He share...

A pupil can perform a technique in a drill. What happens when they need to decide when, where and why to use it? In Episode 92 of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan Walker welcomes teacher educator Ray Breed to explore games-based approaches and what it takes to create meaningful opportunities for learning through games. Drawing on his experience in schools, coaching and teacher education, Ray shares...

When we ask girls about their experiences of PE, how much are we prepared to change in response? In this episode, Nathan Walker is joined by Louise Lindon, Head of PE and Sport and PE Scholar Associate, to explore how listening to pupils can inform decisions about their learning and participation. Lou shares her experiences of leading a department, navigating change and addressing barriers to girl...

How can we help girls build a relationship with movement that lasts beyond school? In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, I’m joined by Asha Riley, Head of Active Wellbeing at St Swithun’s Prep School, lecturer and tutor at the University of Buckingham, and creator of MOVE60. Asha shares how she’s working to build an active school culture where girls feel seen, supported and confident to part...

Season four begins with Ben Mayes, Head of Physical Education at Bodmin College, for a thoughtful and practical conversation about creating PE experiences that support the whole child. Ben shares how the Know, Show & GROW framework shapes his curriculum thinking, lesson design and leadership. We explore how pupils can develop knowledge and movement competence while also learning to demonstrate...

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan speaks with Matt about how Physical Education can develop much more than pupils’ physical competence. The conversation begins with Split Screen teaching, an approach influenced by the work of Guy Claxton. Building on the podcast’s previous discussion with Dr Will Patz about making curriculum values explicit, Matt explains how teachers can delibera...

What happens when we stop talking about student voice and genuinely hand students the microphone? In this special episode of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan hands hosting duties to aspiring PE teacher Zara. She is joined by Grace, Amber and Rosa, who are entering Year 10; Jack, who is beginning sixth form; Jas, who is studying psychology at university; and Ellie, who is at college. Using the idea...

In Episode 86 of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan Walker is joined by co-host Will Swaithes for the next episode in the examination Physical Education series. This week, they speak with Kate Thompson and Mark Johnson, Physical Education and Sport Subject Advisors at Cambridge OCR, for a deep dive into the Cambridge National qualifications in Sport Studies and Sport Science. Across the episode, Kate...

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, I am joined by Ian Shrubsole for a thoughtful, practical and deeply reflective conversation about Physical Education, movement, games, and the fundamentals that really matter. Drawing on over 30 years of experience teaching PE, Ian reflects on his journey from a more traditional “fundamentals first” approach towards a more playful, game-based and problem...

Something a little different this time round. In this reflective solo episode of the PE Insights Podcast , Nathan Walker pauses to consider a deceptively simple question: “If you had to give one piece of advice to a trainee PE teacher, what would it be?” Rather than offering a list of quick tips around planning, behaviour management, assessment, pedagogy or curriculum design, Nathan places his fla...

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast , Nathan visits St George’s Park, the home of English football , for a conversation with Chris Welburn and Chris Bramma ll from The Football Association . Both Chris’ are National Development Managers with significant experience across football development and Physical Education. Together, we explore The FA’s FutureFit direction, the introduction of the 3...

Welcome back to the PE Insights Podcast. In Episode 81, I’m joined by Jack Harvey. A passionate and well-read voice in Physical Education who is not afraid to challenge the direction of our subject. This is not a safe conversation. Jack offers a perspective that will resonate with many. It may also frustrate others. That is exactly why it matters. We explore a fundamental question: What is Physica...

Welcome back to the PE Insights Podcast! After taking a short break due to moving house, my new role and a recent Ofsted visit. We are back with episode 81, and episode 3 of our Exam PE deep dives. In today's episode, I am joined again by Will Swaithes, and our guest Kieran Palmer. Kieran brings experience of teaching NCFE's Technical Award (Level 1/2) in Health and Fitness, and in this co...

In this episode, we dive deep into the realities of examination Physical Education through an honest and practical conversation with James and Wayne — two experienced educators working across different OCR pathways. While the discussion begins with the OCR GCSE PE specification, James quickly clarifies his context, teaching the OCR Cambridge National (Level 1/Level 2) Sports Studies course. What f...

Examination PE doesn’t have to feel like a minefield. In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast , we’re joined by Jackie Brookes , founder of PE Active , alongside Will Swaithes , to unpick the complexities of the AQA GCSE PE specification and explore how teachers can deliver academic PE with confidence, clarity, and impact. Drawing on her extensive work with trainee teachers and early career tea...

What does it really mean for Physical Education to be fit for purpose ? In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast , I’m joined by Amy, Head of Physical Education in a large secondary school, who shares how she has led a bold shift away from a traditional, sport-centric curriculum towards one rooted in meaningful experiences, inclusion, and lifelong physical activity. With over 16 years of experie...

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Emma Whewell, Associate Professor at the University of Northampton, for a rich and reflective conversation about identity, mentorship, and the evolving purpose of physical education. Drawing on over twenty years in Initial Teacher Education, Emma explores how PE teachers’ identities are largely shaped long before training begins, through...

In Episode 76 of The PE Insights Podcast , I’m joined by David Wallace, speaking to us from Bangkok, Thailand, where he currently teaches Junior Physical Education. David’s journey into primary PE was anything but linear. Trained in the UK as a secondary PE teacher at the University of Cumbria, he taught briefly in Burnley before taking a leap into international education. That move, initially des...

In this episode, Senior Lecturer David Redfern (Birmingham City University) joins us to explore what truly shapes positive experiences in Physical Education. From a childhood immersed in PE culture to leading subject mentoring for hundreds of trainee teachers, David shares a career defined by passion, purpose, and connection. We unpack the “trauma trend” in PE , why early experiences matter, and h...

Welcome to the PE Insights Podcast! Epsiode 73 is a conversation with Bilal Saddik. Bill is super passionate and a real advocate for holistic development. In the episode, we explore Bill's thinking, holistic development, play, coaching vs. teaching, expectations in new teachers and experienced teachers with relation to adaptive teaching, gender, and no 'one size fits all'. The episode...

In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, Nathan speaks with Dr Josie Perry, chartered sport psychologist, author of six books and director of Performance in Mind. Josie’s work shines a light on identity, inclusivity and the realities of supporting neurodiverse children in movement and sport. Josie shares why so many adults lose a sense of themselves as active people, often rooted in school expe...

In this episode of PE Insights , Nathan Walker is joined by Carla Howard , Head of PE and founder of the Heads of PE Network . Together, they explore how inclusive, holistic, and collaborative approaches are reshaping the PE curriculum. Carla shares how her department is reframing PE as “for all” —focusing on physical, cognitive, social, and affective development rather than elite performance. She...

Welcome back to the PE Insights Podcast. Thank you for your continued support. Episode 71 is a conversation with James Tuthill of Charles Darwin Primary School in Norfolk. We talk about how he is shifting the focus towards wellbeing in PE through using RISE Up in collaboration with Future Action and Neil Moggan. This one comes from recordings from the back end of the last academic year. Lots for P...

Welcome back to the PE Insights Podcast! Season 3 is now LIVE! Join me, as I have a conversation with the fantastic Professor Liz Durden-Myers. Lots of updates in this one, an insight into Liz's continued work on Physical Literacy, and the brilliant suitcase and train station analogy. Hope you enjoy it! We are excited to share that we have formed a partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sports Directory⁠⁠...

Hello everyone and welcome back to the PE Insights Podcast - Season 3! Listen out of the call to action, and get ready for another year of amazing insights from inspiration people in the PE space.