In this passionate episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons discuss whether focusing on holistic development—personal, social, and emotional skills—distracts from core physical outcomes in PE. The trio explore the "cog theory" of learning, demonstrating how different areas of development work together like interconnected cogs. When one cog sticks, the whole system fails. They argue that far from being a distraction, holistic approaches actually accelerate learning and make PE more inclusive for all pupils.

In this passionate episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons discuss whether focusing on holistic development—personal, social, and emotional skills—distracts from core physical outcomes in PE. The trio explore the "cog theory" of learning, demonstrating how different areas of development work together like interconnected cogs. When one cog sticks, the whole system fails. They argue that far from being a distraction, holistic approaches actually accelerate learning and make PE more inclusive for all pupils.

This brilliant episode see's hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle the misconception that deliberate practice of physical skills has to be boring and repetitive. In this engaging episode, the team explores why traditional skills practice can feel monotonous when not delivered well, and share creative, age-appropriate solutions that maintain the essential repetition needed for physical learning whilst making it joyful and engaging. From adventure-based learning in early years to whole-part-whole approaches in Key Stage 2, discover how to transform repetitive practices into meaningful, fun experiences that children actually want to participate in. The discussion covers practical strategies for different age groups, the importance of choice and challenge in learning, and how deliberate practice extends beyond physical skills to include learning behaviours that benefit all aspects of education. Whether you're a primary teacher, PE specialist, or grassroots coach, this episode provides actionable insights for making skills practice both effective and enjoyable.

A brilliant episode as hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle the misconception that deliberate practice of physical skills has to be boring and repetitive. In this engaging episode, the team explores why traditional skills practice can feel monotonous when not delivered well, and share creative, age-appropriate solutions that maintain the essential repetition needed for physical learning whilst making it joyful and engaging. From adventure-based learning in early years to whole-part-whole approaches in Key Stage 2, discover how to transform repetitive practices into meaningful, fun experiences that children actually want to participate in. The discussion covers practical strategies for different age groups, the importance of choice and challenge in learning, and how deliberate practice extends beyond physical skills to include learning behaviours that benefit all aspects of education. Whether you're a primary teacher, PE specialist, or grassroots coach, this episode provides actionable insights for making skills practice both effective and enjoyable.

This engaging episode of real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils. Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school. Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils. The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

This engaging episode of real nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath, and John Parsons tackle the nonsense of planning your PE and school sport offer around your most able pupils. Whilst no school would deliberately exclude children, the team explores how unconscious bias and external pressures can lead to curriculum planning that inadvertently prioritises the loudest voices - often those who are already well-supported in sport outside school. Drawing on real examples from their extensive work in schools, the hosts examine why this happens: from parental pressure and traditional competition structures to teachers' anxieties about challenging highly skilled pupils. The episode doesn't just identify the problem - it provides practical solutions. Learn how to appropriately challenge all pupils, including the most able, through contextualisation, leadership opportunities, and a broader understanding of physical literacy. Discover why the best PE offer works for every child, not just those destined for sporting success.

In this essential episode of real Nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough. The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier. The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

In this essential episode of real nonsense, host Toni Smyth (insights and impact manager at real PE), Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE) and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the biggest pieces of nonsense in primary PE, not addressing movement challenges early enough. The team explore why schools readily invest in early intervention for literacy and numeracy but fail to do the same for physical development. With research showing children in the UK are potentially three years behind where they should be in physical development by age 10-12, this conversation couldn't be timelier. The episode reveals the shocking reality that children as young as seven already decide whether they're "sporty" or "not sporty" - and the devastating long-term impact this has on their relationship with physical activity.

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE. In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully. The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.

Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) for this special edition podcast that tackles the hotly debated topic of assessment in PE. In this thought-provoking episode, our experts challenge conventional thinking about assessment, arguing that formative assessment is the only type that truly matters for learning, whilst summative assessment serves as a valuable subset when used purposefully. The conversation reveals how effective assessment should celebrate children's progress across all domains, support teachers in their decision-making, and ultimately serve learning rather than simply recording data. With passionate discussion about measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical solutions for PE assessment.

Welcome to Real Nonsense Episode 10! For the first time ever, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) aren't delivering a straight "complete nonsense" verdict. Instead, they explore the nuanced world of daily running activities in primary schools with their inaugural "it depends" conclusion. The trio examines whether making all children run the same standardised distance or time is beneficial or harmful. Whilst acknowledging the importance of daily physical activity, they question whether one-size-fits-all approaches truly serve our pupils' needs. From creating negative associations with movement to missing opportunities for genuine learning, they unpack why standardised running programmes might be doing more harm than good. But it's not all criticism! The hosts share inspiring examples of schools transforming rigid running routines into joyful, choice-driven activities that actually work. Discover how creative teachers are incorporating pupil voice, cross-curricular links, and flexible timing to make daily movement meaningful. The episode also explores brilliant alternatives to laps: active learning techniques, movement breaks within lessons, Wake and Shake programmes, and the innovative real PE Daily activities that link physical movement to curriculum learning. Whether you're a teacher, headteacher, or physical education specialist, this episode challenges you to rethink how we can make daily physical activity truly educational, engaging, and enjoyable for every child.

Welcome to Real Nonsense Episode 10! For the first time ever, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) aren't delivering a straight "complete nonsense" verdict. Instead, they explore the nuanced world of daily running activities in primary schools with their inaugural "it depends" conclusion. The trio examines whether making all children run the same standardised distance or time is beneficial or harmful. Whilst acknowledging the importance of daily physical activity, they question whether one-size-fits-all approaches truly serve our pupils' needs. From creating negative associations with movement to missing opportunities for genuine learning, they unpack why standardised running programmes might be doing more harm than good. But it's not all criticism! The hosts share inspiring examples of schools transforming rigid running routines into joyful, choice-driven activities that actually work. Discover how creative teachers are incorporating pupil voice, cross-curricular links, and flexible timing to make daily movement meaningful. The episode also explores brilliant alternatives to laps: active learning techniques, movement breaks within lessons, Wake and Shake programmes, and the innovative real PE Daily activities that link physical movement to curriculum learning. Whether you're a teacher, headteacher, or physical education specialist, this episode challenges you to rethink how we can make daily physical activity truly educational, engaging, and enjoyable for every child.

Missing Movement: Why Taking Children Out of PE is Educational Madness In this thought-provoking episode of Real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the most frustrating practices in education: removing children from PE lessons as punishment or to catch up on other subjects. This episode explores why treating physical education as expendable is not just counterproductive but fundamentally wrong. The team discusses how PE should be viewed as a right, not a reward, and examines the damaging cycle created when we remove the very movement opportunities children need most. Key discussion points include: Why PE is often the first subject to be sacrificed The counterproductive nature of removing active time from children who need it most How this practice sends the wrong message about the value of physical education Practical advice for PE subject leaders on having those difficult conversations The importance of courage in standing up for your subject The hosts acknowledge this is a challenging topic but provide thoughtful guidance for PE professionals who face this nonsense daily. They emphasise that every child has the right to be physically educated and make progress, regardless of behaviour in other areas. Episode Length: 16 minutesFeaturing: Tony Smyth, Ronnie Heath, John ParsonsSpecial Thanks: Steven Pritchard for suggesting this topic

Podcast Episode Description: In this thought-provoking episode of Real Nonsense, hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) tackle one of the most frustrating practices in education: removing children from PE lessons as punishment or to catch up on other subjects. This episode explores why treating physical education as expendable is not just counterproductive but fundamentally wrong. The team discusses how PE should be viewed as a right, not a reward, and examines the damaging cycle created when we remove the very movement opportunities children need most. Key discussion points include: Why PE is often the first subject to be sacrificed The counterproductive nature of removing active time from children who need it most How this practice sends the wrong message about the value of physical education Practical advice for PE subject leaders on having those difficult conversations The importance of courage in standing up for your subject The hosts acknowledge this is a challenging topic but provide thoughtful guidance for PE professionals who face this nonsense daily. They emphasise that every child has the right to be physically educated and make progress, regardless of behaviour in other areas. Episode Length: 16 minutesFeaturing: Tony Smyth, Ronnie Heath, John ParsonsSpecial Thanks: Steven Pritchard for suggesting this topic

real nonsense episode 8 focusses in on inappropriate warm-ups.  Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) as they tackle one of the most common pieces of nonsense still happening in primary PE lessons across the country. In this episode, we explore why traditional warm-ups like running laps around the playground or standing in circles doing static stretches are not just ineffective but are missing huge opportunities for meaningful learning. Our expert panel reveals why these practices persist and, more importantly, provides practical solutions that will transform your PE lessons from the very first minute.

Episode 8 of real nonsense focusses in on inappropriate warmups: Join hosts Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath (CEO of real PE), and John Parsons (Director of Innovation at real PE) as they tackle one of the most common pieces of nonsense still happening in primary PE lessons across the country. In this episode, we explore why traditional warm-ups like running laps around the playground or standing in circles doing static stretches are not just ineffective but are missing huge opportunities for meaningful learning. Our expert panel reveals why these practices persist and, more importantly, provides practical solutions that will transform your PE lessons from the very first minute.

The Great Sports Day Debate: Competition V's Collaboration Join Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath CEO of real PE, and John Parsons the Director of Innovation at real PE for this special edition podcast tackling the annual primary school sports day conundrum! As the summer term approaches, PE leads across the country are planning this important school event that often sparks debate among staff, parents, and pupils. Our expert panel explores how to create inclusive yet competitive sports days that reflect your school's values and physical education philosophy. They discuss the balance between healthy competition and collaboration, share practical strategies for engaging all children regardless of ability, and offer tips for communicating your sports day vision to parents. Discover how to transform your sports day from a standalone event into a meaningful celebration of your school's physical education journey, where personal bests are celebrated alongside traditional races, and every child feels valued. Whether you're looking to refresh your approach or seeking validation for your current practice, this conversation provides thoughtful insights on creating memorable sports days that showcase the best of primary PE.

The Great Sports Day Debate: Competition V's Collaboration Join Toni Smyth, Ronnie Heath CEO of real PE, and John Parsons the Director of Innovation at real PE for this special edition podcast tackling the annual primary school sports day conundrum! As the summer term approaches, PE leads across the country are planning this important school event that often sparks debate among staff, parents, and pupils. Our expert panel explores how to create inclusive yet competitive sports days that reflect your school's values and physical education philosophy. They discuss the balance between healthy competition and collaboration, share practical strategies for engaging all children regardless of ability, and offer tips for communicating your sports day vision to parents. Discover how to transform your sports day from a standalone event into a meaningful celebration of your school's physical education journey, where personal bests are celebrated alongside traditional races, and every child feels valued. Whether you're looking to refresh your approach or seeking validation for your current practice, this conversation provides thoughtful insights on creating memorable sports days that showcase the best of primary PE.

Join Toni Smyth as she welcomes back John Parson (Director of Innovation) and Ronnie Heath (CEO) from real PE to discuss the exciting future of physical education. This thought-provoking conversation explores how EdTech can enhance PE provision, the importance of joyful movement experiences, and why focusing on inclusive physical development opportunities across the school day might be more valuable than traditional PE lessons. The team shares insights on where schools could prioritise their time and effort, the power of early intervention, and what success looks like for real PE in the years ahead. Essential listening for any educator passionate about creating positive relationships with physical activity for every child. 

Join Toni Smyth as she welcomes back John Parson (Director of Innovation) and Ronnie Heath (CEO) from real PE to discuss the exciting future of physical education. This thought-provoking conversation explores how EdTech can enhance PE provision, the importance of joyful movement experiences, and why focusing on inclusive physical development opportunities across the school day might be more valuable than traditional PE lessons. The team shares insights on where schools could prioritise their time and effort, the power of early intervention, and what success looks like for real PE in the years ahead. Essential listening for any educator passionate about creating positive relationships with physical activity for every child.