Who is our guest?
Sajid Akram brings a wealth of experience and passion to his roles at Chandos Primary School. With eight years of teaching under his belt and 18 months as the assistant PE lead, Sajid's dedication to enhancing the physical education landscape is evident. His journey began as a local to the school, and despite moving further away, he remains deeply committed to the community he serves. Sajid's background in teaching and his role as a PE lead uniquely position him to drive innovative strategies and programmes that engage pupils in physical activity.

What do we discuss?
In this podcast, Sajid highlights the critical role physical activity plays in the educational journey of children and young people. He emphasises that physical education is not just about building muscular strength but also about developing fundamental skills such as balance, coordination, and confidence. According to Sajid, sport has the power to improve a child's confidence, social skills, and overall well-being, making it an indispensable part of their upbringing.

One of the recurring themes in our discussion was the challenge of financial constraints and bureaucratic red tape. Sajid pointed out that while pupil premium funding may seem substantial initially, it quickly diminishes once various expenses are accounted for. This financial pressure often limits the ability to provide necessary equipment and facilities, such as cricket nets and playing fields. Despite these obstacles, Sajid and his team continue to find creative ways to engage pupils in sports, using minimal resources and focusing on the fundamentals.

Sajid shared some innovative approaches that have been successful at Chandos Primary. A notable example is the transformation of the traditional sports day into the Chandos Commonwealth Games. This initiative spreads various sports activities over two weeks, allowing pupils to compete in diverse events, from football to cricket and more. By assigning countries to year groups and fostering genuine rivalries, the event encourages a healthy competitive spirit among pupils.