Equity and inclusion in physical education PLC

Abstract

Physical Educationalists in many western and westernised societies across the globe are facing new challenges as system wide changes take place increasing the role of private bodies (e.g. Academy trusts) in the delivery of school based education. This reflective and rather personal paper1 considers the place and meaning of ‘inclusion’ and ‘equity’ on a terrain of consortia, free schools, academies and de-nationalised curricula, where outsourcing Physical Education (PE), either to corporate coach/sport industries and/or health providers is fast becoming the norm. The paper addresses class, race and gender issues, highlights the repackaging of privilege in PE, and pleads for the rediscovery of PE grounded in education principles rather than the interests of health and sport industries.