Start Planning Better PE Lessons

Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.

What's included

  • Complete activity instructions & timing
  • Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
  • Assessment guidance & success criteria
  • Downloadable lessons & units
No credit card
Free forever
Big Question

How can we train our bodies to keep going for longer periods during physical activity?

Learning Objectives

  • To complete actions to develop stamina and endurance
  • To understand how breathing and pacing affect our ability to sustain exercise
  • To recognise the physical changes that occur during sustained exercise

Key Outcomes

  • Students will be able to describe how their body feels during different intensities of exercise
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to move at different speeds whilst maintaining control
  • Students will show improved stamina through sustained physical activity

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones
30

Distributed around the teaching area for various activities and boundaries

Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or any visible boundary markers

Stopwatch
1

For timing exercise intervals and rest periods

Alternative: Phone timer, clock with second hand

Whistles
1

For clear start/stop signals during activities

Alternative: Voice commands, hand signals

Key Vocabulary

Stamina

The ability to sustain prolonged physical effort and resist fatigue

Endurance

The capacity to continue exercising for extended periods of time

Heart Rate

The speed at which your heart beats, measured in beats per minute

Breathing Rate

How fast or slow you breathe in and out during activity

Pace

The speed at which you move during exercise

Perseverance

Continuing to try even when something becomes difficult or tiring

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Basic movement patterns (walking, running, jumping)
  • Understanding of personal space and movement safety
  • Recognition of feeling tired after exercise

Current Skills

  • Developing stamina through sustained movement
  • Understanding different exercise intensities
  • Using breathing techniques during exercise
  • Perseverance when activities become challenging

Next Steps

  • Training at specific heart rate zones
  • Understanding the relationship between fitness and health
  • Planning personal fitness programmes

Milestone Indicators

1
Can sustain moderate exercise for 5+ minutes without stopping
2
Demonstrates controlled breathing during exercise
3
Shows positive attitude towards challenging activities

Key Teaching Points

  • Stamina is about sustaining effort over time, not about being fastest
  • Proper breathing technique helps maintain performance during exercise
  • Pacing yourself at the start helps you go for longer periods
  • Encouraging others helps build a positive learning environment
  • Everyone can improve their stamina with practice and effort
  • Different exercises challenge our stamina in different ways

Common Misconceptions

  • Faster always means better - correct by emphasising sustained effort
  • Only fit people can build stamina - show that everyone can improve
  • You should push through any discomfort - teach difference between challenge and pain
  • Stamina is only for running - demonstrate variety of stamina activities

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity periods, frequent movement changes, clear boundaries and expectations
dyspraxia
  • Simplified movement patterns, extra practice time, focus on effort over coordination
autism spectrum
  • Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet rest space available
visual impairment
  • Use verbal cues for all activities, partner system for guidance, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
  • Visual demonstrations for all exercises, hand signals for start/stop, written instructions available
physical disability
  • Adapted exercises (seated movements, arm exercises), modified distances, alternative challenges

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Counting repetitions, timing activities, measuring distances for shuttles, calculating improvements

Science

Understanding heart rate, breathing, energy systems, effects of exercise on the body

PSHE

Perseverance, resilience, teamwork, encouraging others, personal challenge and growth

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around the area to observe all students, position for clear demonstrations and safety monitoring

Observation Focus

Monitor effort levels, technique quality, and signs of fatigue in students

Intervention Points

Step in if students showing overexertion, poor technique, or unsafe behaviour

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate exercises slowly first, emphasising key technique points and safety aspects

Verbal Cues
  • 'Breathe steadily - in through nose, out through mouth'
  • 'Find your own pace - don't worry about others'
  • 'Keep going - you can do this!'
  • 'Great perseverance - that's stamina building!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 20m x 15m for full class

Surface Check

Even, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Cones checked for damage and placed securely
  • Adequate spacing between activity areas
  • Clear boundaries established

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Overexertion during high-intensity activities
  • Collisions during shuttle runs
  • Falls during jumping activities
  • Dehydration during sustained exercise
Risk Mitigation
  • Progressive intensity build-up from warm-up
  • Regular checks on students' wellbeing
  • Clear movement patterns and boundaries
  • Emphasis on personal pace rather than competition
  • Adequate rest periods between activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position to observe all students during activities
  • Monitor for signs of overexertion (excessive breathlessness, pale colour)
  • Ensure proper technique during exercises
  • Watch for unsafe behaviour during team activities
Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if student shows distress, provide rest and water, seek first aid if needed