The real PE podcast

real nonsense episode12: Planning PE around the most able: The unintended consequences and more inclusive alternatives

This engaging episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils.
Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school.
Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils.
The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

real nonsense episode12: Planning PE around the most able: The unintended consequences and more inclusive alternatives

This engaging episode of real nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils.
Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school.
Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils.
The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

real nonsense episode 11:The Physical Literacy Emergency: Why Early Intervention Matters More Than Ever

In this essential episode of real Nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough.
The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier.
The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

real nonsense episode 11: The Physical Literacy Emergency: Why Early Intervention Matters More Than Ever

In this essential episode of real nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough.
The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier.
The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

real PE podcast Special Edition: Measuring What Matters: A Deep Dive into Primary PE Assessment

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE.
In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully.
The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.

real PE podcast Special Edition: Measuring What Matters: A Deep Dive into Primary PE Assessment

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE.
In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully. The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.

real nonsense episode 10: From standardised laps to joyful movement: Reimagining daily activity

Welcome to Real Nonsense Episode 10! For the first time ever, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) aren't delivering a straight "complete nonsense" verdict. Instead, they explore the nuanced world of daily running activities in primary schools with their inaugural "it depends" conclusion.
The trio examines whether making all children run the same standardised distance or time is beneficial or harmful. Whilst acknowledging the importance of daily physical activity, they question whether one-size-fits-all approaches truly serve our pupils' needs. From creating negative associations with movement to missing opportunities for genuine learning, they unpack why standardised running programmes might be doing more harm than good.
But it's not all criticism! The hosts share inspiring examples of schools transforming rigid running routines into joyful, choice-driven activities that actually work. Discover how creative teachers are incorporating pupil voice, cross-curricular links, and flexible timing to make daily movement meaningful.
The episode also explores brilliant alternatives to laps: active learning techniques, movement breaks within lessons, Wake and Shake programmes, and the innovative real PE Daily activities that link physical movement to curriculum learning.
Whether you're a teacher, headteacher, or physical education specialist, this episode challenges you to rethink how we can make daily physical activity truly educational, engaging, and enjoyable for every child.

real nonsense episode 10: From standardised laps to joyful movement: Reimagining daily activity

Welcome to Real Nonsense Episode 10! For the first time ever, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) aren't delivering a straight "complete nonsense" verdict. Instead, they explore the nuanced world of daily running activities in primary schools with their inaugural "it depends" conclusion.
The trio examines whether making all children run the same standardised distance or time is beneficial or harmful. Whilst acknowledging the importance of daily physical activity, they question whether one-size-fits-all approaches truly serve our pupils' needs. From creating negative associations with movement to missing opportunities for genuine learning, they unpack why standardised running programmes might be doing more harm than good.
But it's not all criticism! The hosts share inspiring examples of schools transforming rigid running routines into joyful, choice-driven activities that actually work. Discover how creative teachers are incorporating pupil voice, cross-curricular links, and flexible timing to make daily movement meaningful.
The episode also explores brilliant alternatives to laps: active learning techniques, movement breaks within lessons, Wake and Shake programmes, and the innovative real PE Daily activities that link physical movement to curriculum learning.
Whether you're a teacher, headteacher, or physical education specialist, this episode challenges you to rethink how we can make daily physical activity truly educational, engaging, and enjoyable for every child.

real nonsense episode 9: Missing Movement: Why Taking Children Out of PE is Educational Madness

Missing Movement: Why Taking Children Out of PE is Educational Madness
In this thought-provoking episode of Real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the most frustrating practices in education: removing children from PE lessons as punishment or to catch up on other subjects.
This episode explores why treating physical education as expendable is not just counterproductive but fundamentally wrong. The team discusses how PE should be viewed as a right, not a reward, and examines the damaging cycle created when we remove the very movement opportunities children need most.
Key discussion points include:
Why PE is often the first subject to be sacrificed
The counterproductive nature of removing active time from children who need it most
How this practice sends the wrong message about the value of physical education
Practical advice for PE subject leaders on having those difficult conversations
The importance of courage in standing up for your subject
The hosts acknowledge this is a challenging topic but provide thoughtful guidance for PE professionals who face this nonsense daily. They emphasise that every child has the right to be physically educated and make progress, regardless of behaviour in other areas.
Episode Length: 16 minutesFeaturing: Tony Smyth, Ronnie Heath, John ParsonsSpecial Thanks: Steven Pritchard for suggesting this topic

real nonsense episode 9: Missing Movement: Why Taking Children Out of PE is Educational Madness

Podcast Episode Description:
In this thought-provoking episode of Real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the most frustrating practices in education: removing children from PE lessons as punishment or to catch up on other subjects.
This episode explores why treating physical education as expendable is not just counterproductive but fundamentally wrong. The team discusses how PE should be viewed as a right, not a reward, and examines the damaging cycle created when we remove the very movement opportunities children need most.
Key discussion points include:
Why PE is often the first subject to be sacrificed
The counterproductive nature of removing active time from children who need it most
How this practice sends the wrong message about the value of physical education
Practical advice for PE subject leaders on having those difficult conversations
The importance of courage in standing up for your subject
The hosts acknowledge this is a challenging topic but provide thoughtful guidance for PE professionals who face this nonsense daily. They emphasise that every child has the right to be physically educated and make progress, regardless of behaviour in other areas.
Episode Length: 16 minutesFeaturing: Tony Smyth, Ronnie Heath, John ParsonsSpecial Thanks: Steven Pritchard for suggesting this topic