The role that PE, Sport & Physical Activity can play in addressing disadvantage and inequality in schools, and the wider community.
The focus for the 2025 Physical Education conference is about the power of PE, Sport and Physical Activity has in overcoming inequality, and how schools, and the wider community can create an environment where all young people are valued and can participate in activities with their peers.
Don't miss out on another collaboration between Cambridgeshire County Council's PE advisory Service, and Living Sport ...
We are really excited that this conference will engage both primary and secondary colleagues in the same space, in a range of practical and 'classroom' workshops.
We are particularly thrilled to have two fabulous Keynote presenters
Neil Moggan
Neil is the author of Time to RISE Up – Supporting Students' Mental Health in Schools and the Founding Director of Future Action, an organisation dedicated to empowering educators to transform children's mental wellbeing and life chances through trauma-informed practice, movement for mental wellbeing, and early intervention strategies.
In this powerful keynote, Neil will explore how Trauma-Informed PE (TIPE) is not just about movement—it’s about transforming lives. Through the lens of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors, and the power of relationships, we will examine how a young person struggling with trauma can receive the support they need to change their life trajectory, while simultaneously improving the learning environment for their peers and enhancing teacher wellbeing.
Dr Vanessa King
Vanessa is Senior Consultant and EYFS lead, working for afPE, the subject association for Physical Education in the UK. Vanessa has over 20 years teaching experience in all phases from Early Years to Higher Education and has particular expertise in mentoring teachers to help with confidence and competence to teach Physical Education.
At a time of shifting sands, when the world has never needed Physical Education more, Vanessa will provide National Updates from The Association for Physical Education, and share some thoughts on the golden thread of PE, stressing the importance of EYFS as the foundation to building a PE curriculum that supports children’s learning through to adulthood.
Celebrating the Learn-2-Live Well Fund
Laura Williams, Senior Project Officer - Schools Engagement, Living Sport
The Learn-2-Live Well Fund was a Cambridgeshire County Council funded programme to address childhood obesity. The fund was open to all Cambridgeshire state schools – including government funded academies and local authority maintained primary schools. The aim of the fund was to support schools in developing a whole-school approach to promoting, educating and improving healthy eating and physical activity. Cambridgeshire primary schools were invited to apply to fund a project that would facilitate pupils and the wider school community to develop a healthier lifestyle through targeted interventions based at the school. The fund welcomed innovative and creative project approaches that best support the school in improving childhood obesity.
"Living Sport have worked with 95 Primary schools and will potentially reach over 20,000 children across Cambridgeshire to improve healthy habits and physical activity levels. Our webinars, workshops, regular communication, and visits helped schools get the most from the Cambridgeshire County Council-funded grant. Seeing the smiles on the children's faces, laughter and enjoyment during the workshops and initiatives, it's clear the Learn-2-Live Well fund has made a terrific impact!"
Celebrating an example of great Practice
Ruth Bailey, Burrowmoor Primary School
Workshops and Activities
The Shape of the Day
| 8.45 - 9.15 | Arrival, Registration, Catching up with friends (old and new) |
| 9.15 - 9.25 | Welcome - Ian Roberts, lead Adviser PE & School Sport |
| 9.25 - 9.50 | Keynote: National Updates from association for Physical Education. The importance of EYFS as the foundation to building a PE curriculum that supports children’s learning - Dr Vanessa King |
| 9.50 - 10.15 | Keynote: How Trauma-Informed PE (TIPE) is not just about movement—it’s about transforming lives. - Neil Moggan |
| 10.15 - 11.15 | Workshops 1 - Sharing is Caring - a series of workshops, providing opportunities to discuss pressing issues related to PE, School Sport and Physical Activity |
| 11.15 - 11.45 | Tea, Coffee, Market Place and networking |
| 11.45 - 12.45 | Practical Workshops 1 |
| 12.45 - 1.45 | Lunch |
| 1.45 - 2.15 | Learn - 2 - Live Well Celebration - Laura Williams, Living Sport |
| 2.15 - 3.15 | Practical Workshops 2 |
There will be a fantastic array of workshops on offer during the conference.
Workshops
Session 1 (10.15 - 11.15)
Delegates will select one workshop from the following
Identifying talent and signposting opportunities in potential ParalympiansDoes your PE programme “at least engage, and at best inspire” those pupils who have additional needs? (Ofsted) Do you know which sports are contested at the Paralympics, and which disability groups are included? This workshop will help you to understand who might be eligible for Paralympic sport, where to signpost them for further information, and how to spot that they might have potential. Sandra King |
FREE Nutrition/healthy lifestyle workshop/programmes in schoolsA discussion about the FREE 12-week programmes for children and families that qualify through NCMP data. An opportunity to discuss how we can adapt this to work in a schools-based environment. Liam Parish - Mark Hardcastle - Abigayle Quick |
Empowering girls in school sport and physical activity: understanding and addressing gender inequalities in participationJoin us for an interactive workshop where we’ll dive into the gender gap in physical activity and explore the challenges girls face in sport. We’ll discuss the latest research on these barriers and share effective techniques for creating an inclusive and supportive environment in PE classes. You'll leave with practical strategies to inspire lifelong physical activity among girls in your school! Dr Mairead Ryan |
PE Unpacked: Real Talk, Real Challenges, Real SolutionsDiscussion-based workshop exploring the day-to-day challenges faced by those delivering PE, sharing suggestions and practical takeaways to help them engage students more effectively and feel confident in their approach through clear guidance and peer insight. Amanda Freeman, Safeguarding and welfare manager, Living Sport |
Inclusion: We ALL have mental health [a focus on staff]This workshop centres on the fact that we ALL have mental health and that by looking after our own mental health as educators, we can in turn look after the children and young people we support. The interactive session will:
Juliet Adloune |
PSHE and PE: The Perfect MarriageThis workshop will consider the links between PSHE and PE and how they work together. Danika will showcase how they have embedded cross-curricular links with the two subjects which will initially improve children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Danika Williams, PE & Health and Wellbeing Lead, Peartree Spring Primary School, Stevenage |
Practical Workshops
These workshops are applied in nature and will involve some light practical activity. Teachers should be suitably dressed, but should be reassured that physical participation will not be compulsory. Delegates will always be encouraged to participate at a level that they feel comfortable with.
Session 2 (11.45 - 12.45)
Delegates will select one workshop from the following
BoxerciseA beginners Boxercise session, no experience is needed to take part. We will take you through some basic technique plus a few drills and games that will excite and engage students. An emphasis is placed upon safety above all else. Richard, Master Trainer for Boxercise |
Who says we need to sit to learn?Do you want to know more about why we should incorporate more movement into classroom learning and just as importantly, how? If so, this workshop is for you. Bryn will talk about 4 areas where you can make a real difference in your setting:
Bryn Llewellyn , Active Learning guru, Tagtiv8 founder |
Introduction to ParkourA workshop to help teachers understand the basic principles of parkour/3style gymnastics. To share ideas, skill development and safe drills to enrich school PE sessions. Adam Scott, Huntingdon Gym Club |
Fundamentals of korfball for schoolsWe will introduce you to the korfball basics, basic technical and tactical details, and let you experience some games to understand why this is THE ideal developmental and fun sport to introduce to your children. Olivia Harcourt, Cambridgeshire Korfball Association |
The Wonderful Everyday - OAA on the School SiteWe hope to spend all the session outside trying out some new ideas that you can use on a learning journey with your pupils Some you can blend into the every day and other into your PE lesson’s to ensure that the Outdoor Education component has a proper time consideration on site and not just on a residential in year 5 or 6 Stephen Brown, CCC Outdoor Education Adviser |
Movement not MusclesA practical approach to developing movements so children can solve ‘movement puzzles’ and explore the joy of movement. Foundational movement patterns such as squatting, lunging, twisting, jumping, throwing, landing and ultimately running are the basis of all sports and this session will allow the learners to understand how to progress and regress exercises to improve strength and coordination. Rob Thickpenny, Former S&C lead, England Athletics |
Session 2 (2.15 - 3.15)
Delegates will select one workshop from the following
Quidditch: Your students’ new favourite sport?The session will introduce the concept of how I have utilised quidditch into my PE Curriculum. This session will introduce the rules I have used and adapted for my cohorts and activities which will scaffold learning the game and brings quidditch into life! As a Models Based Practitioner, I will explain how the activity can drive curriculum objectives through models such as Sport Education. Ryan Parker, Marleigh Primary School & Fen Ditton Primary School |
Cambridgeshire RISE Up: Empowering Educators through Trauma Informed PEJoin us for this interactive and practical workshop designed to empower primary educators with trauma-informed strategies that use movement to support children's mental wellbeing, emotional regulation, and confidence. Participants will: ✅ Gain key insights on how movement impacts mental wellbeing ✅ Experience practical activities to implement in their PE lessons right away ✅ Learn to create psychologically safe and inclusive spaces that help children self-regulate and thrive ✅ Discover how to embed self-care toolkits into PE, equipping children with lifelong wellbeing strategies ✅ Start to explore how to create a bespoke RISE Up programme tailored to the unique needs of your young people and staff Neil Moggan, author of Time to RISE Up – Supporting Students' Mental Health in Schools |
EYFS motor screening and intervention programmeIn this session, you’ll learn how to use the afPE motor competency screening diagnostic tool and implement targeted interventions to support children’s physical development. By improving motor skills, you’ll help children engage more fully in physical activity and physical education, setting them up for lifelong participation in a healthy, active lifestyle. Don't miss the chance to gain valuable strategies to enhance physical development in your school. Dr Vanessa King, Senior Consultant, Association for PE |
FuneticsCreated by England Athletics, funetics is a fun and inclusive kids athletics programme, to help 4–11-year-old children across the country to learn, develop and practice running, jumping and throwing skills all year round, for a healthy confident future. England athletics Tutor |
Pickleball - a sport for all ages and abilitiesThe purpose of this workshop is to give teachers an introduction to the basic skills and knowledge to have confidence to introduce the game to all pupils whilst learning in a safe and enjoyable environment Alan Jordan - Padel Peterborough |
Market Place
There will be a comprehensive Market-Place throughout the day, providing a platform for a variety of assured providers, Governing Bodies, and activities all of whom can enhance the PE, Sport and Physical Activity offer in school platformed.
Booking details
Cambridgeshire Schools and Settings = £125 per teacher.
Bring a Colleague offer
£25 for any additional teachers from the same school.
(so 2 teachers from same school effectively cost £75 each, 3 teachers cost £58 each)
Out of county schools and settings = £150 per teacher.
Bring a colleague offer
£30 for any additional teachers from the same school.
(so 2 teachers from the same school effectively cost £90 each, 3 teachers cost £70 each)
How to Book
Bookings can be made via the PE & Sport Bookings Page
Enquiries
Any questions or enquiries to PE.Adviser@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Feedback from 2024 PE conference
Question pitched to delegates
'What 'take homes' have you gained from the conference that you think you will be able to put into practice?'
| Nice to network with secondary and primary |
| Keep kids moving! |
| I’ve got some great resources and links to resources that can help me implement things in school. Love the ideas from Tagtivate. |
| Gymnastics fundamentals |
| Different way to implement our behaviour policy so children understand. Simple street dance moves and some calming yoga techniques |
| Some of the Hidden disabilities workshop points raised are very useful - Bryn's tagtiv8 session on active learning was excellent and something I will push to SLT. |
| Practical ways to use active learning in curriculum areas other than PE |
| The active learning ideas for maths and literacy was amazing and so simple . Gymnastics reminded me to go back to fundamentals |
| Lots more ideas for getting children active throughout the school day |
| Some great tips re gymnastics and some good OAA ideas. |
| Behaviour ideas with sports, movement in lessons across curriculum, korfball understanding and boxecise ideas |
| Lots of practical and easy to set up/lead OAA activities. Also, ideas on how children can adapt given games and create their own. |
| Embedding physical literacy throughout the day |
| Lots around active learning. Tips for alternatives to 'just dance'. |
| Some places to find resources and support for our school curriculum |
| Networking - speaking to other members of staff from other schools. |
| How to introduce active learning to maths as well as a range of other subjects and how to effectively deliver aspects of gymnastics to Primary school aged children |
| The gymnastics session was excellent - allowed clear take homes. Great talk from Max. Yoga was well planned, relative and allowed transferable skills into my teaching. |
| The dance workshop was excellent and I can take away key points and adapt across dance themes and year groups now. |
| Table tennis session was useful with direct 'take homes' to feedback to department. |
| Ideas to support strategic development of our PE provision - Active Learning strategies and use of Tagtiv8, alongside high quality Gymnastics provision. |
| Motivation |
| Gymnastics techniques for children |
| Including movement in all sessions. |
| Lots of strategies and ideas that can be put into place immediately, and lots of key ideas to think about over the long term. Feeling motivated to put lots of action in place! Stand out thoughts: make sure to be teaching basic shapes in gymnastics and develop movements from there; should brain breaks be called such when really they activate our brains?; how can learning be active, when can children move in Maths, English, etc... |
| Loved the practical ideas for making learning more active. |
| I found the whole conference extremely helpful. I have been looking at kite marks and awards for PE but as we are an infant school we are unable to gain any from the School Games. It was therefore, extremely helpful to attend the first work shop around Everyone Healthy and they were able to answer lots of my questions regarding this. The other two workshops offered lots of practical information that I can take back to school. It was also of great help to have the stalls and companies there to talk to face to face. |
| Lots of small ideas to take away and into lesson. Eg using some of the tips learnt in the Yoga session as well as STEPS framework for inclusive PE. A big take away is making learning active and this will be on our action plan for next year as we start to make changes towards this. |
| Contacts to develop the activities further. Ideas to get started |
| games making very productive and good for all students to succeed, cheerleading, |
| a clear understanding of swimming safe rescue expectations/criteria, inspiration for teaching outdoor adventure activities |
| Ideas to incorporate movement into maths lessons |
| Confidence in delivering Yoga, mental health strategies and reflection time, supporting EYFS with bringing PE tasks into the |
| Bring Yoga into daily practise. Active movement into maths etc. |
| Spending less time sat at a desk and using movement to support learning. |
| Further embedding the role of promoting physical activity as a 'whole school' approach not just the responsibility of key personnel in school. |
| New ideas/ suggestions for current curriculum lessons. Ideas for potential future sports/ activities on the curriculum. |
| Gymnastics techniques |
| So many, encourage all staff to include more moving in sessions and confidence in teaching gymnastics |
| Ideas for pupils to lead games ideas and develop their collaboration and leadership skills. |
| Ways of linking maths into PE lessons, ways of keeping kids active and engaged |
| Try to increase our movement through learning during class time- Bryn's talk |
| Activity within curriculum lessons, continued to build on a range of Boxercise activities, knowledge and understanding of table tennis, ideas for supporting pupils with asd |
| swim safety, SEN inclusion, ways to use boxercise |
| The 7 strengths pupils should gain from PE at school. The importance of movement for learning/concentration and to use it within lessons/transition times. The enjoyment of speed stacking and its versatility: can adapt activities for both primary key stages; can be used indoor/outside at lunchtimes/lesson times; help children who do not engage with standard games/sports; opportunity to improve your performance both individually and as part of a team; refocus certain children who lack concentration at times et . I like the inclusivity of Korfball and feel I can adapt the resources we have to play the game. It will help those girls, for example, at our school who are put off by competing with the boys for fear of failure whereas in this sport they will be marking girls. |
| Gymnastic techniques and how to get children moving within the classroom as movement breaks |
| Swimming activities to maximise time in the water, orienteering ideas, NHS health check for staff |
| Ryan’s session on games making was really interesting, highlighting how PE can be use to promote empathy while engaging students in physical activity |
| We are now in the process of organising training for the boxercise so that we can teach in school. |
