Primary school - is dance an appropriate substitute for P.E? I think not.....

[Nixz]

I have just took DD's P.E kit out of her school bag and she has not worn it AGAIN! It has been in her bag for 2 weeks. I ask her if she has done P.E and she replies "No, well, we did dance" and she just took her shoes and socks off.
I was under the impression that primary school children should have 2 sessions of PE a week, surely its not fair that they have to miss out because the teacher decides not to do it! Im quite cross at this - kids love PE

putting on a Music and Movement tape every week is a bit of a cop-out.

Hi.

What year is your DD in, Nixz?

When I taught reception in England we had PE 3 times a week. One session was gymnastics, one was games and one was dance. This sometimes was the "music and movement" using a tape, which I think works fine if the teacher uses it properly (ie, switching tape on and off regularly, responding to individuals etc).

Children used to get changed into full PE kit for games and gymnastics, but just took shoes, socks and jumpers off for dance.

In other schools the different strands of PE are taught in blocks. The main thing is that the different areas are covered over the course of the year, as stated in the National Curriculum.

I would ask the class teacher how PE is managed in their school, and if you still have concerns after that have a word with the headteacher.