The PE Umbrella | Podcasting ALL things Primary Physical Education · Ryan Ellis

Under the Umbrella with Dr Vanessa King

·1 hr 6 min·5 clips

Vanessa King unveils a motor screening program that could slash NHS waiting lists by diagnosing children's movement issues in schools.

This episode features host Ryan Ellis interviewing Dr. Vanessa King, Deputy CEO of the Association for Physical Education and a PE consultant. They explore the current landscape and challenges in primary physical education. King identifies the biggest challenge as achieving consistent, high-quality PE provision across all primary schools. She explains that inconsistency stems from varying school priorities, staff expertise, and contextual factors like the cost-of-living crisis affecting children's motor competency. King advocates for a collaborative delivery model involving generalist teachers, PE specialists with QTS, and external sports coaches. She emphasizes the need for fun and a broad curriculum to inspire lifelong physical activity. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on a new motor screening program King is launching with AfPE. This diagnostic tool, developed with pediatricians and physiotherapists, assesses rudimentary movement skills in early years children. The program creates intervention groups to address developmental gaps through short, targeted activities. King argues this approach can alleviate NHS waiting lists for therapy services by addressing non-medical developmental needs in schools. She believes improving foundational motor competence will increase children's engagement and success in mainstream PE lessons. One surprising insight is that NHS waiting lists for children's therapy services can be up to four and a half years, partly saturated with children who primarily need developmental movement opportunities. The program is designed to provide immediate, school-based interventions instead. King notes the diagnostic data can also help teachers tailor whole-class PE lessons to common skill deficits, like balance. She highlights how the small-group intervention structure particularly benefits neurodiverse children, supporting both motor and social skill development. The tone is conversational and educational, with Ellis prompting deep dives into practical challenges and solutions. The style is reflective, featuring personal anecdotes from both the host and guest about their teaching experiences. Primary school teachers, PE coordinators, and educational consultants would find this episode highly relevant for its practical strategies and research-backed initiatives. Listeners seeking a debate on contentious issues in PE or a purely inspirational narrative might find the detailed, diagnostic focus less aligned with their interests.

As heard by us

A focused look at AFPE's motor screening programme and the thinking behind it.

Dr. Vanessa Kin offers a clear discussion of primary PE, with the strongest section focused on AFPE's soon-to-launch motor screening programme.

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Why you'd press play

A reflective PE conversation about screening, support, and what children need first.

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