Assessing Physical Skills

Overview

This 80-minute session is designed for Year 7 students (age 11-12) to pre-assess their current physical abilities, focusing on two main areas: fitness, speed, and coordination; and ball skills through a game activity. This aligns with the National Curriculum for Physical Education (England, KS3), specifically supporting progression in Pupils should be taught to evaluate and improve their performance and develop competence in a broad range of physical activities.

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National Curriculum Links

• Key Stage 3

  • Pupils should be taught to:
    • use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
    • play competitive games, modified where appropriate
    • develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
    • perform dances using a range of movement patterns
    • analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education links:

  • Developing self-awareness and self-evaluation skills.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, pupils will be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic levels of fitness, speed, and coordination through specific tasks.
2. Apply ball-handling, passing, and team play skills in a controlled game environment.
3. Self-assess and reflect on their physical performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

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Equipment Needed

• Cones (for marking distances)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Measuring tape (20m/30m track)
• Tennis balls or small footballs (1 ball per group)
• Whistle
• Clipboards and assessment sheets (for teacher observation)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (10 minutes)

• Welcome and objectives: Briefly explain the purpose of the session — to assess current fitness and ball skills so future lessons can be personalised.
• Dynamic warm-up:
  • 2 minutes light jogging around the pitch.
  • 3 minutes dynamic stretches focusing on legs, arms, and core (e.g. lunges, arm circles, high knees).
  • 3 minutes of movement drills incorporating coordination (e.g. skip and hop sequences).
  • 2 minutes of brief explanation of assessment tasks.

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2. Fitness, Speed, and Coordination Assessment (30 minutes)

a) Fitness and Speed: 20m Sprint Test

• Purpose: Measure baseline speed and explosive power.
• Organisation: Use cones to mark a 20-metre straight sprint.
• Activity: Each pupil performs three timed sprints with 2 minutes recovery. Best time recorded.
• Teacher role: Time each run, note performance, encourage effort but ensure safe technique.

b) Coordination: Shuttle Run (5m x 4 lengths)

• Purpose: Assess agility, change of direction, and coordination.
• Activity: Pupils run 5 metres, touch line, sprint back, repeat total four lengths as quickly as possible.
• Timing: Record times.
• Emphasise smooth changes in direction and hand-eye-foot coordination.

c) Fitness: Multi-Stage Fitness Test (Optional Mini Version) or Step Test (for groups needing differentiation)

• Teacher to note pupil stamina level, encouraging steady pace.

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3. Ball Game Activity - Passing and Team Play (30 minutes)

Game Setup

• Choose a suitable game such as Netball Passing Drill and Mini-Match or a simplified version of Basketball focusing on passing, catching, and spatial awareness.

Skill Focus

• Passing accuracy (chest pass, bounce pass).
• Receiving and catching under pressure.
• Movement off the ball to create space.
• Communication and teamwork.

Activity Details

• Divide class into 5 groups of 6.
• Warm up with passing drills in pairs (5 minutes).
• Triangular passing drill focusing on quick decisions and movement (10 minutes).
• Mini-match set up on half-court or half-pitch (15 minutes): Teacher to observe passing success rate, teamwork, and application of skills.

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4. Cool-down and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Gentle jog reducing to walk (2-3 minutes).
• Static stretching focusing on major muscle groups (5 minutes).
• Sit in circle for guided reflection:
  • What did you do well today?
  • What was challenging?
  • How can you improve these skills?
• Teacher to collect quick self-assessment forms where pupils rate their effort and confidence (1-5 scale).

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Assessment and Feedback

• Teacher observation checklist: Record pupil times for sprints & shuttle runs; note coordination, effort, and ball skills.
• Peer feedback: Encourage pupils to give verbal positive feedback post-game.
• Self-assessment: Pupils complete short survey form for personal reflection.
• Use outcomes to group pupils for future lessons differentiated by ability levels.

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Differentiation

• Provide time extensions for shuttle run for pupils needing extra time.
• Offer alternative (lower impact) activities for pupils with special needs or injuries during fitness tests.
• Pair less confident pupils with peer mentors during ball drills to build confidence.

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Cross-Curricular Links and Skills

• Numeracy: Recording and comparing times develops data handling.
• Literacy: Reflection discussions reinforce expressive vocabulary and reasoning.
• PSHE: Builds confidence, teamwork, and evaluates personal goals.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure pupils wear appropriate footwear.
• Check activity area for hazards.
• Warm-up adequately to prevent injury.
• Monitor pupils’ physical responses closely during fitness tests.

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This lesson plan provides an engaging, comprehensive baseline assessment of Year 7 pupils’ physical skills, ensuring alignment with the National Curriculum and offering rich data to personalise PE provision.