Premier League Primary Stars helps teacher John Hopkins develop key strategies to improve his PE lessons

Swansea City AFC Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars teacher support programme has helped John Hopkins to develop key strategies to improve his PE lessons at Tonnau Primary School.

While being supported by the Foundation’s sports and education area coordinator Jack Giles, Hopkins has worked on methods which can make his PE lessons more engaging and increase the motivation of his pupils to take part in physical activity.

Admittedly an assured teacher when delivering PE lessons prior to working with the Foundation, Hopkins has benefited from more than just a confidence boost as Giles has introduced him to new techniques such as effective questioning, which Hopkins highlights as his crucial takeaway from the programme.

“For me as a teacher it’s the questioning,” said Hopkins.

“Stopping the lesson, not just waiting until the end, questioning them, challenging them, engaging them throughout. 

“I think my questioning and assessment for learning has changed in a positive way but I can see the children are reflecting too. They are asking themselves, 'how can I improve?'

“Before working with Jack I felt I’d always been a confident PE teacher but I would run out of fresh ideas.

“It could be difficult to motivate and engage the children using the old syllabus, but the new skills I’ve developed with Jack have really brought my teaching on.

“Knowing that I can plan and deliver effective lessons, I feel every child is more involved now. They’re more capable learners, more keen to take part."

Giles has been working in Tonnau Primary School for a number of years having previously supported then deputy head teacher Nicola Richards through the Premier League Primary Stars teacher support programme, demonstrating the school’s commitment to providing high quality PE to improve the health and wellbeing of their pupils.

“John has been really enthusiastic to engage in the supporting teachers programme and has fully embraced the opportunity to develop his delivery,” added Giles.

“He has made significant progress, particularly when planning his lessons to make sure they challenge and engage all pupils.

“He’s integrated key strategies such as using assessment for learning, providing helpful feedback and applying questioning techniques to monitor pupils understanding and progress.

“His commitment overall to improving his PE lessons has been really clear and he’s focused on making sure all the children remain motivated and challenged in the lessons.

“The support provided has been designed to build his confidence and competence, ultimately helping him to continue to deliver outstanding PE lessons independently in the future.”