Teaching Citizenship through Physical Education

PE and Sport are often seen as mirroring society and most PE teachers could identify close links between certain aspects of their subject and elements of the Citizenship curriculum in schools. Games activities, for example, have traditionally been regarded as suitable vehicles through which to teach values such as trust, responsibility, inclusion, equity and respect; all inherent qualities of a model citizen. Within the Key Stage 3 and 4 Citizenship programme of Study there are numerous references to pupils participating responsibly, and showing respect for and empathising with others. Within this section we will aim to explore and advance this natural link between the teaching of values through games and the development of ‘socially and morally responsible’ citizens. The cross-curricular approach to delivering Citizenship is often preferred by schools and Physical Education could be a suitable medium through which certain specific elements of the Citizenship programme of study could be taught. These elements are set out below and examples of appropriate lesson plans are also available in order to offer guidance on how they might be delivered through a games unit. If you would like to read a paper by John Lambert, who trains PE teachers at the University of Brighton, please click on the download below.