Cutting Physical Education in Schools

The question

How to approach this discuss both views question

A discuss-both-views essay asks you to explain two opinions fairly and then give your own.

1. Introduce both views and say you will discuss them.
2. Paragraph 1: the first view with reasons and an example.
3. Paragraph 2: the second view with reasons and an example.
4. State your own opinion clearly (in the introduction or conclusion) and keep it consistent.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase the cut in physical education time and the argument that sport is essential for children, and state your opinion on the balance between the two.
2. Body 1: the case for reducing PE, focusing on the pressure of exams and the need for time to teach reading, writing and mathematics.
3. Body 2: the case for keeping regular sport, focusing on physical health, concentration and social development.
4. Body 3 (optional): a practical compromise, such as shorter but more frequent activity sessions or links between PE and other subjects.
5. Conclusion: restate your opinion and the main reason for it.

Idea bank

• Schools facing national exam targets may feel that every lesson must be used for reading, writing and mathematics, which makes PE an easy cut.
• Regular physical activity has been linked to better concentration in lessons, which could offset the time spent away from desks.
• Children who are inactive are more likely to develop obesity and related health conditions, which creates long-term costs for health services.
• Team sports teach cooperation, discipline and how to lose gracefully, skills that help children in later life.
• Short daily movement breaks can be added to the timetable without reducing core subjects, offering a practical middle path.
• Some schools that have kept PE have reported fewer behavioural problems in afternoon lessons, which suggests the time is not lost.

Useful vocabulary

• physical education: Physical education gives children structured time for exercise and skill development.
• academic pressure: Academic pressure can lead schools to reduce time for sport.
• sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle in childhood can lead to health problems later.
• concentration: Regular exercise may improve children's concentration in class.
• team spirit: Team sports foster a sense of team spirit and mutual respect.
• come at the expense of: Cutting sport may come at the expense of children's physical health.
• a compromise: A compromise could be short daily activity sessions.
• holistic development: Holistic development includes physical as well as intellectual growth.
• there is a strong case for: There is a strong case for keeping sport on the timetable.
• the benefits outweigh: The benefits of regular exercise outweigh the time it takes from lessons.

Common mistakes

• Treating physical education as only sport and ignoring general activity, such as movement breaks, which could be a realistic compromise.
• Giving a conclusion that does not state an opinion, such as 'both sides have merit', which fails the requirement to take a clear position.
• Using claims about childhood obesity without a source or a plausible mechanism, such as the link between inactivity and weight gain.
• Describing the academic side as unimportant, which makes the argument one-sided and weakens the balance the task asks for.
• Repeating the same point under both views, such as saying that exercise is good for health in the 'against' paragraph as well.

Examiner tip: Give the case for reducing PE its full weight, then show why regular sport still deserves a place, using one specific reason for your own view.