Is the Physical Education National Curriculum just doing a circuit?

Why was the 1992 National Curriculum for physical education introduced?

 

In 1992, the first National Curriculum was introduced for physical education. The National Curriculum was introduced into all state schools and was a recommendation for public schools (House of Commons - Children, schools and families committee, 2009). The introduction of the National Curriculum also brought the introduction of assessment frameworks, key stages and school years continuation from reception to year thirteen. All these changes made were designed to create an ease when students go throughout their school life. 

The introduction of the National Curriculum was to provide a map of what students should be taught. The National Curriculum would ensure that students were taught a broad and balanced curriculum (Ofsted, 1993). This also set standards for the attainment of pupils and also made schools accountable for the progress of student’s education and development (House of Commons - Children, Schools and Families Committee, 2009).

The National Curriculum was underpinned by the aims to promote cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of students, as well as preparing students for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life (House of Commons - Children, Schools and Families Committee, 2009). 

Core subjects were introduced as English, mathematics and science, and physical education was introduced as a foundation subject, with much discourse from physical education lecturers, writers and teachers (House of Commons - Children, Schools and Families Committee, 2009).

The introduction of the National Curriculum meant that students of the same age, across the country were all learning the same information and were being taught the same things. Due to the same subject knowledge being taught, it meant that students would be able to change schools with more ease (Ofsted, 1993).