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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is failing PE in KS2 a problem ?

121 replies

FailingatPE · 29/09/2017 18:45

My 9yo DS last year report from school had great scores for all subjects for achievement and effort except a single fail for PE.

As we get the reports on the last day of the year before summer, I didn't have chance to talk to the teacher and tbh I assumed it must of been an error. After all how can you fail at PE ?

However caught up with the teacher today, who said it wasn't an error. Despite good effect he failed.

I asked for more specific and I was told that he found catching and throwing a ball hard. Didn't concentrate or do teams properly. Specifically said he wasn't cut out for competitive sports and he should try archery !

Also cautioned against joining football teams at school, as the other boys are so much better than him.

I am torn between saying sod it, it is only PE, worrying or signing him up for loads of sporting things.

OP posts:

FridayFreddo · 29/09/2017 22:28

Well, if he can't throw or catch, concentrate or play in a team, then I can see why he'd fail!

It's just like maths or English. You have to meet the criteria. But he can practise all these things, and try various sports till you find one he enjoys...

Sickofthinkingofnewnames · 29/09/2017 22:34

My very academic not very sporty had this issue, we worked out it was a combination of lack of fitness and lack of confidence.we started taking her to park run and it's made a massive difference in both.

WLmum · 29/09/2017 22:44

Dd1 had similar although school did offer additional lunchtime sessions which she took and just about got to standard. She has never been very coordinated and hates pe. We just accept that it's not a strength for her, and whilst we expect her to try, I think it's ok for kids to not be good at everything, and for them to know it (albeit gently and supportively).

ProseccoMamam · 29/09/2017 22:44

I can assure you that even failing P.E your DC will still know how to walk and run

SquidgeyMidgey · 29/09/2017 22:48

If he's having trouble catching, throwing, concentrating and being a team member that sounds like there's possibly something underlying that the school need to look into. Possibly there's nothing and your son just has my level of ball skills and team spirit, but it might be worth a chat to this year's teacher.

5foot5 · 29/09/2017 22:57

Why are so many surprised PE is graded
It's an important subject just like Maths English

Oh pull the other one!

I am torn between saying sod it, it is only PE

OP I would stick with this. Sure it would be good if your DS could find some physical activities he enjoys doing. The school's approach sounds like it would actually discourage this so I wouldn't put any weight on it if I was you.

BackforGood · 29/09/2017 22:58

So you are interpreting a factual statement of him being below expectations for his age, as him "failing". that is very different from your username and your title and your opening post.

The school haven't said that at all. They have reported factually on what he is achieving against National Curriculum expectations. Same as they do for maths or any other subject that your ds is 'above' expectations in, which you are quite happy about?

FridayFreddo · 29/09/2017 23:08

Exactly - he hasn't failed. He just hasn't reached the expected standard.

Pe is important. It gives kids who aren't necessarily academic the chance to shine.

Everyone is good at different things - if you were told your Ds was failing at maths you'd do what you could to help him, so why not PE?

Google growth mindsets.

Apocalyptichorsewoman · 29/09/2017 23:08

Oh Gosh! That's both my children then! 😊 Ds1 is 20, and Ds2 is 14. Ds1 has mild dyspraxia.

Both of them in PE at school were /are ' working towards target' rather than achieving target or above target. They hate football, and once I remember taking Ds2 to school across the corner of the school playing field whilst Ds1's PE lesson was in progress. They were sitting on the grass listening to the teacher expound on a finer point of summat when Ds2 pointed out to me that Ds1 is just making a daisy chain...

Ds1 did btech PE - enjoyed it and got a distinction, and Ds2 has just started his PE btech course. They both didn't mind PE despite their lack of aptitude in PE lessons.
The school is very good and makes it enjoyable whatever level.

Ds1 is a great cyclist who can also ride a horse and ski. Ds2 runs and is doing 5k races, can swim really well, and can also ski. (we only go once a year as our only holiday but they are very competent at black runs). It's all about making sport and exercise enjoyable and fun- and finding their niche. It doesn't matter if at school they are 'working towards target ' so long as they are enjoying it and learning, and they don't feel put off. At gcse level they can do a btech and still learn and enjoy it. Don't worry - just keep him engaged with exercise and sport.

Original poster

FailingatPE · 30/09/2017 00:33

Yes, it is a male teacher.

I think I will email a request of a breakdown/ list of the areas my son is underachieving in.

Then I will take this list and decide if it is worth worrying about.

We already take him swimming weekly and on an occasional run and he walks/bikes to and from school daily. So not the most active child but not a couch potato either.

I am more concerned about the negativity and knocking of confidence elements. I want him to enjoy sport, not feel it is only for others.

OP posts:

backOffSunshine · 30/09/2017 03:40

I'm shocked that people are shocked at the thought of failing PE.

AS with any other subject at school, you can meet, be above or below what is expected. If you are below, you are failing.

I can't see any quotations of 'fail' so I assume that this is the OP's term. It could be couched in a nicer way.

It also appears to be a complete assumption that he isn't being supported to improve his performance. I suspect he is. Demanding to know what the school are doing to address an issue is simply a trite MN phrase which comes across as superior and aggressive.

For those who seem disbelieving at there simply being success criteria, here's an example of what they may be (although they will be different in different schools).

I can gain possession during a game

I can use a number of techniques to pass, dribble and shoot

Independently

I can find an appropriate place to field

I can combine action, balance and shape in a sequence of actions

When dancing, I show fluency, accuracy and consistency

I can perform to music

I show controlled take-off and landing when jumping

I can combine running and jumping

I can follow a map in an unknown location

I can change my route, using new information, to overcome a problem

SandBlue · 30/09/2017 05:01

there is info here about what should be taught atveatch key stage

We focus on effort rather than performance for most stuff.

Bubble04 · 30/09/2017 05:53

'Below age group expectations' is NOT a fail! Why the negative attitude about it? It's ok to be slightly below average. The truth is that gross motor skill development happens at different rates in different children. Coordination is particularly difficult when going through a growth spurt. Has your child been doing any extracurricular sport thus far? Many children do, and this will accelerate their development. If you are worried then get him doing sport. It's the only way to develop these skills.
The truth is some children will be below average, and there's nothing wrong with that. It certainly doesn't mean they're failing. It means they're not quite there YET.

Stopyourhavering · 30/09/2017 06:03

My dcs were hopeless at conventional 'team' sports such as football and hockey due to dyspraxia, however they excelled at swimming ( which wasn't graded for PE at school and is brilliant for dyspraxia as it helps coordination!)
There are loads of sports your son can enjoy without being in a team,
So don't let son be discouraged and put this behind you- what about karate - great for building confidence and be done at your ds pace

user1499722317 · 30/09/2017 06:15

My DS2 was not hitting targets in PE early in high school as he couldn't do a forward roll. Obviously this was massively important so he was helped a lot by the teacher. Unfortunately his legs flailed about a lot and he accidentally kicked teacher in the balls! He never did a forward roll successfully.

IroningMountain · 30/09/2017 07:07

Of course not,it identifies issues which can then be worked on.

As the mother of a chronic dyspraxic child who left primary unable to do a forward roll or catch a ball I too am shocked at the amount of shocked posters who think children struggling in a subject shouldn't be graded.

No it isn't just about enjoyment. They need to learn basic skills. I wanted my children to enjoy maths and reading,they still needed to meet milestones.

We have PE provision so wrong in this country.The attitude that the less able in PE don't matter doesn't help.

Wish my dd's primary were so proactive. I had to fight for recognition that she was so far behind. All resources went on adding silver to the cup cabinet.

WhoWants2Know · 30/09/2017 07:16

I don't really understand grading in PE. My youngest came home with a C in year 2, despite being chosen to represent the school at several sporting events. The head girl who won the overall sports day trophy got a C as well. Very strange.

AtHomeDadGlos · 30/09/2017 07:45

outwiththeoutcrowd - what has the teacher’s gender got to do with it?

AtHomeDadGlos · 30/09/2017 07:47

Also, OP you’ve already been told what he’s failing at - catching and throwing and team sports.

So, take him to a park with a ball and practice. Then sign him up to a few clubs tag rugby/football/cricket etc so he can play some team sports.

Or, accept it’s not his sport and find something that is.

The teacher’s not done anything wrong.

BocaDeTrucha · 30/09/2017 07:57

The big difference between not meeting ARE in PE compared to not meeting ARE in English or Maths is that school won't provide intervention for it. He might get a bit of extra support and attention in PE lessons but that's it. The school won't do anything about it. Like others have said, you know where his weaknesses are, get out to the park and work in the throwing and catching in an un-pressured environment. Really, as long as he's trying his best, his PE grade is totally irrelevant but it shouldn't do him any harm to know his weaknesses and what his objectives are.

Northernparent68 · 30/09/2017 08:02

As others have said find him something outside of school he enjoys, karate, and boxing are good for coordination, maybe rugby as the coaching is so good. If that does not work the increase the amount of cycling and running you do.

I would ask the school how you can help him and what their plan is. As for the comments about him not joining the football team, ask the school to set up a B team. You need to ask yourself if the teacher meant do not join you re rubbish sort of way or it might knock his confidence if he joins.

queenofthedump · 30/09/2017 08:07

It seems though that you are the only person here using the word 'failure'... 'Under age expectation' is very different from failure. Stop making it into such a thing.

Northernparent68 · 30/09/2017 08:09

In a way, at home, the teacher has done something wrong, he's identified a problem, hut not given a solution.

If PE has to be compulsory, it is not acceptable to blithely write off pupils, it really would not kill the teacher to stay beyond 3.30 and offer additional tuition.

Hayesking · 30/09/2017 08:14

Yeah, its a problem if any kid 'fails' PE - the school must be doing PE wrong.

Of course some children don't meet age related targets in PE.

He hasn't failed. I agree with the poster who suggested googling 'growth mindsets*

Hayesking · 30/09/2017 08:15

it really would not kill the teacher to stay beyond 3.30 and offer additional tuition.

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