The Effects of a Collaborative CPD Programme on Teachers' Knowledge and Understanding of Physical Literacy and their PE pedagogy in Primary PE

The primary school age group is a significant period in the development of physical literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviours. Physical literacy is highly dependent on the nature of the interaction between the teacher and the... [ view full abstract ]

The primary school age group is a significant period in the development of physical literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviours. Physical literacy is highly dependent on the nature of the interaction between the teacher and the pupil. However, there is a lack of training and confidence of many primary generalist teachers to teach PE in the UK. Building on a set of processes from a previously established continuing professional development (CPD) programme, the present research, funded by Sport Wales, aimed to develop a sustainable and replicable CPD process to improve primary generalist teachers’ knowledge and understanding of physical literacy and their PE pedagogy.

Adopting a collaborative participatory action research (PAR) approach, two primary generalist teachers from the same school, a secondary PE specialist and three university researchers participated in the study. Baseline data was collected from lesson observations over six weeks. Reflective logs, structured lesson observations and teacher interviews were used to collect the data over twenty three weeks. Inductive and deductive qualitative thematic analysis was used and the data was interpreted.

Findings revealed a key element to the success of the AR was the trusting relationships built by the secondary PE specialist with the primary teachers. The transfer of positive pedagogy from the classroom to the PE setting enhanced PE pedagogy. Findings also discovered the importance of collaborative PAR in ensuring rigorous, evidence-based CPD and providing the time and support required for fundamental sustainable changes in practice.

This research demonstrates the potential of government funded collaborative PAR between universities, secondary and primary schools to improve the knowledge and understanding of physical literacy and the PE pedagogy of primary generalist teachers.