PE at KS3 and communication difficulties and dyslexia

The National Curriculum for Physical Education is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools.  Key Stage 3 (KS3) covers years 7-9, children aged 12-14 years.

Communication difficulties

The pupil should have an established communication system, which is familiar to everyone who works with them and is carried to all lessons.

You can:

• Make sure the communication methods you use are in line with this, and that all instructions are short, simple and clear
• Allow time for the pupil to process instructions and questions. Use as much visual information as possible (diagrams, photos, DVDs)
• The pupil will need support to assess and record their own and other’s progress. A framework sheet might help with this. If necessary let them use diagrams, cartoons or photos of themselves

Dyslexia

Challenges at this stage come from the increased written work in planning what to do and assessing how things have gone.  Dyslexic pupils may struggle to record their strengths and weaknesses, explain how they refine their ideas and plan what needs to be practised.

You can:

• Make instructions as visual as possible, and support the pupil’s feedback and self-evaluation with appropriate, prepared vocabulary
• Be flexible about how they present their work, provided they understand what they are meant to be doing. Consider accepting verbal evidence, or photographs and video

Read in conjunction with the main challenges for children with communication difficulties and dyslexia across subject areas, and some suggestions to help them.