Safety and Risk in Primary School Physical Education

Physical education and sport in schools is undergoing renewed emphasis and the primary sector key stages are rightly seen as fundamental elements in the new initiatives.

The majority of primary school teachers are non-specialists and there is, therefore, a particular need for information on safe planning and practice in physical education to be designed to meet their specific requirements.

Safety is a central issue in P.E. and as risk assessment is now a statutory part of Health and Safety at Work requirements, it is vitally important that all staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities. As all schools are now obliged to undertake risk management, this book addresses a very real need. Safety and Risk in Primary Physical Education gives a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of safety in P.E. in primary schools, including:

* legal responsibilities
* policies on good practice and risk
* pupil readiness
* equipment and the environment
* each subject area included in the National Curriculum - gymnastics, games, dance, athletics, outdoor and adventurous activities and swimming
* checklists of key points for safe practice.

John Severs has spent many years working in primary schools. He was a class teacher and an LEA advisory teacher in primary school PE before working as a lecturer in teacher training with Part Icular responsibility for professional PE. He currently works as a consultant to primary educators and as an expert witness.