Is the Physical Education National Curriculum just doing a circuit?

Why was the 2014 National Curriculum for physical education introduced?

 

In September 2014, a new National Curriculum was introduced for all subjects, including physical education. There are multiple reasons as to why the new National Curriculum was introduced to students across the country. One of the main reasons for the change in curriculum is the belief that as a country, our students are being left behind by students from other countries, as other countries are excelling and developing faster than our education system (Coughlan, 2013). Michael Gove, the former education secretary, stated that the National Curriculum had been modernised to by paying close attention to the changes being made in other countries. Also stating that the changes were necessary to keep up to speed with what was happening in other countries, so that our children do not get left behind when it comes to applying for top jobs and universities (Coughlan, 2013). 

The headteacher at Wellington College believed that the new National Curriculum should be welcomed and its introduction was a positive notion as young people were 'being patronised by work that is too easy' (Seldon, 2013). Anthony Seldon echoed the coalition governments views regarding the National Curriculum in believing it was not challenging enough, and was leaving our children behind in an ever developing world. 

Adaptations have been made to what students study, the way students study and the way a student’s progress is assessed. These adaptations have been made by analysing not only our own National Curriculum but also what and how students learn internationally so that our students can keep up with the demands from universities and employers (Joshi, 2014).