Choosing the right Primary PE scheme of work can make a real difference to how confidently teachers deliver PE and how well children develop their physical skills.
But with so many PE programmes available, how do you know which one is right for your school?
A good scheme of work should do more than provide lesson plans. It should help teachers understand what children need to learn, how their skills develop over time and how to adapt activities so every child can take part.
In this guide, we'll explore what to look for in a Primary PE scheme of work, the questions PE leads should ask and how to choose a programme that works for your teachers and pupils.
A Primary PE scheme of work is a structured plan that sets out what children will learn in Physical Education, how lessons build on previous learning and how teachers can assess progress.
For primary schools in England, a good scheme should support the National Curriculum for Physical Education at Key Stages 1 and 2, alongside appropriate physical development opportunities in EYFS.
It should include:
The best scheme for your school isn't necessarily the one with the most resources. It's the one your teachers can use effectively and consistently.
In primary schools, PE is often delivered by class teachers who have varying levels of confidence and experience.
Some teachers love delivering PE. Others may feel less comfortable teaching gymnastics, dance or unfamiliar sports.
A well-designed PE scheme can help schools address these challenges by providing a consistent approach that supports everyone involved.
Children should build on what they've learned previously, rather than repeatedly covering similar activities without developing their skills.
For example, early experiences of balance, coordination, running, jumping and throwing can provide foundations for more complex movements, games and sports.
Look for a scheme that explains how learning progresses between lessons, units and year groups.
Even the best PE planning is only useful if teachers feel able to deliver it.
Look for resources that offer clear instructions, practical demonstrations, teaching tips and support for adapting activities.
Child-facing video demonstrations can be particularly helpful when teachers are unfamiliar with a movement or technique.
A good scheme should help teachers adapt lessons for different levels of ability, confidence and physical need.
That means looking beyond a single way of completing an activity and considering how every child can participate, experience success and make progress.
PE assessment should help teachers understand what children can do, what they are learning and what they need to develop next.
It shouldn't become another complicated administrative task.
Look for straightforward assessment guidance linked to clear learning objectives and curriculum progression.
High-quality PE is about more than learning individual sports.
Alongside physical skills, PE offers opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, confidence, decision-making and problem-solving.
A broad curriculum helps children develop the skills and positive experiences that can encourage them to enjoy being active.
Before choosing a Primary PE scheme of work, it's worth asking a few practical questions about how it will work in your school.
1. Curriculum coverage
Does it cover the activities and age groups you need, from EYFS through to Year 6?
2. Clear progression
Can you see how children's skills, knowledge and understanding develop from year to year?
3. Teacher confidence
Could a non-specialist teacher pick up a lesson and deliver it confidently without hours of preparation?
4. Video demonstrations
Are there practical demonstrations to help teachers and children understand movements and activities?
5. Inclusion and SEND
Can lessons be adapted for children with different physical abilities, confidence levels and additional needs?
6. Simple assessment
Can teachers recognise and record children's progress without creating unnecessary paperwork?
7. Teacher CPD and support
What training, tutorials and guidance are available to help staff develop their confidence and skills?
8. Flexibility
Can the scheme be adapted to your school's facilities, equipment, timetable and pupils?
9. Value for money
What's included in the subscription? Are lesson resources, assessment, videos and CPD included, or charged separately?
10. Whole-school access
Can every teacher access the resources, or are licences restricted to individual staff?
Give a sample lesson to a teacher who isn't particularly confident teaching PE.
Can they understand the learning objectives, prepare the equipment and deliver the activity without needing extensive additional planning?
Their feedback may tell you more about the suitability of a programme than a long list of features.
Choosing on the number of lessons alone
Thousands of resources sound impressive, but the quality of progression, teaching guidance and accessibility matters more than quantity.
Focusing only on sports
Sports-specific activities have an important place in PE, but children also need opportunities to develop fundamental movement skills, creativity, coordination, balance and physical confidence.
Overlooking teacher support
A curriculum document cannot deliver a lesson. Teachers need practical resources, knowledge and confidence to turn plans into meaningful experiences for children.
Using assessment that is too complicated
If recording progress takes longer than the teaching itself, it's worth questioning whether the approach is practical.
Not considering inclusion from the outset
Inclusive teaching shouldn't depend entirely on individual teachers finding ways to adapt activities after the scheme has been purchased.
At imoves, we believe a Primary PE scheme should make it easier for teachers to deliver high-quality lessons, regardless of their specialist experience.
Our afPE Approved Primary PE Curriculum Resource combines progressive planning from EYFS to Year 6 with practical teaching support.
Schools have access to:
Our holistic i-units combine fundamental movement skills with personal and social development, helping children build confidence, coordination, communication and teamwork.
The aim is simple: give PE leads a clear curriculum and give teachers the practical support they need to deliver it.
One teacher, Emma Winder, described how imoves helped her adapt PE provision for a child with specific physical needs after struggling to adapt another scheme.
She explained that the PE Fundamentals resources supported inclusive, enjoyable PE for the child and their classmates.
It's a useful reminder that the right PE scheme isn't just about curriculum coverage. It's about making PE work for the children and teachers in your school.
See the curriculum, watch the video demonstrations and explore example lessons for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.
Schools in England must deliver the relevant statutory curriculum requirements, but they are not required to purchase a commercial PE scheme of work.
Schools can develop their own curriculum or use a published scheme to support planning, progression and consistency.
There isn't one scheme that's best for every school. The right choice depends on your curriculum needs, teachers' confidence, facilities, pupils and budget.
Compare providers based on curriculum progression, inclusion, assessment, teaching support and how easily staff can use the resources.
Yes. Class teachers can deliver high-quality PE with appropriate subject knowledge, planning, professional development and practical teaching support.
A well-designed scheme can make delivery easier, particularly for teachers who lack confidence in specific activities.
A comprehensive Primary PE scheme should cover relevant National Curriculum requirements, progressive learning objectives, age-appropriate activities, assessment and opportunities for all children to participate.
It should also make clear how teachers are supported in delivering the lessons.
Eligible schools should check the current PE and Sport Premium conditions of grant and reporting requirements before making a purchase.
Spending should contribute to sustainable improvements in PE and school sport. Buying resources alone does not automatically demonstrate sustainable impact; schools should consider how the purchase supports staff development, curriculum quality and pupil outcomes.
Whether you're reviewing your current PE provision or choosing a new scheme of work, start with the teachers and children who will use it.
Look for clear progression, inclusive activities, straightforward assessment and the practical support teachers need to deliver lessons confidently.
If you'd like to see how imoves works, explore our afPE-approved Primary PE curriculum, sample lessons and teacher support.