The STEP principle in PE was developed to support teaching and learning. The STEP framework is an easy-to-use approach to adapting, differentiating and extending PE and sports lessons. STEP has been highly promoted over the past 10 years, including being used in PE teaching resources and CPD courses.
The STEP principle is a versatile framework developed by "young leaders" to adapt and differentiate PE activities and games to suit the needs and abilities of all participants. STEP stands for Space, Task, Equipment, and People. By adjusting these four elements, teachers and pupils themselves can make activities more inclusive, challenging, or accessible, ensuring that every child is engaged and learning.
What is STEP in PE and what does STEP stand for?
What does STEP stand for in PE?
Space
Where the activity is happening - For example, modify the space by increasing or decreasing the area in which a task is to be performed. Or by changing the distance to or areas in which to score points. This might include how you set up the working area for mats and where the sequence is performed in a gymnastics setting. See an example in our Year 6 Gymnastics Unit 1 Lesson 1.
Task
What is happening - E.g. modify the task by changing the demands, the rules of the activity, the number of times the child is to repeat the task, teaching cues, direction/level/pathway of movement or length of time to complete the task. An example might be one group must perform a 6-element gymnastics sequence while another group must perform a 10-element routine.
Equipment
What is being used - Modify the equipment used in a task by changing the size of the target, the amount of equipment, the height of the equipment, or the equipment's arrangement. An example might be a rounders game; one player chooses a paddle bat with a bigger face to strike the ball, and another player chooses a rounders bat. They complete the same task but use equipment suitable for their skill level, allowing them to play the same game.
People
Who is involved - Adapting the roles and relationships of the people involved by having children work alone, with a partner, in bigger teams, smaller teams, as leaders or followers, on different activities, or in a small group.
Maybe the more confident gymnasts could jump from higher apparatus, or a developing group of netballers could be challenged by playing on a bigger court. Why not try a few of the STEP principles in your PE lessons this week?
At The PE Hub, we encourage the use of the STEP framework across all primary PE lessons to promote pupil engagement, progress and independent learning. Our resources, including our example STEP planning sheet, support both teachers and pupils in adapting activities to meet children's needs.
Click here to download a STEP planning sheet