Summer Term is here, and many teachers are thinking about planning a primary school sports day. We have come up with some main points that we think will help you plan your sports day. Each school is different, but these are our top tips for sports day planning.
People
- Which teachers will be involved in running the day?
- Will you have any volunteers, such as parents?
- Will you be using sports leaders on the day? Do they need any training?
- How will children compete as part of their house groups or classes?
Space
- Consider where you will conduct sports day. At a nearby field, the school playground or a local sports centre?
- Ensure there is enough space for the event, spectators, judges and equipment
- Ensure individual playing areas are suitable for the age group, such as running distances or game pitches.
Organisation
- Will you have a KS1 day and a KS2 day or morning or afternoon?
- What equipment will you need? Do you need to buy any additional equipment or replace anything you already have?
- Are you going to have any prizes or certificates? (For PE Hub subscribers, you can download some head, hand, heart certificates from your Teachers Toolkit).
- Give the teachers the activities and rules early, so classes have time to practise before the day.
- How will you record and share the results of each race/event?
Safety
- Risk assess the day
- Have a plan for first aid
- Take out any inhalers etc. pupils require
- Mark out playing space clearly
- Consider sun care such as lotion, hats and shade
Our favourite sports day activities
- Relay and obstacle races
- Egg and spoon
- Three-legged race
- Water dash
- Parents’ race
Sports day is a great way to get all children, staff and family involved in competing and having lots of fun. They can take some organising but definitely worth it. Please tag us in your sports day social media pictures.