The Primary PE Huddle Podcast| Know more, show more and move more' with Natalie Weir

Who’s our guest?

Natalie Weir is an ardent advocate for physical education and bodily literacy. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Natalie has worked in national sporting bodies, including a twelve-year stint at British Orienteering in positions ranging from sport development to being on the senior leadership team.

She is also the Chief Playmaker and mother to two children, whose physical growth and development have further instilled in her the importance of physical activity from a young age. Following this trail, she is currently chasing a PhD at the University of Derby exploring the correlation between movement and physical literacy in three to five-year-olds. Her primary focus is to encourage more activity among these age groups as she believes that early engagement in physical activity is integral to setting up young ones for healthier futures. She is dedicated to her mission of challenging the current state of physical education and promoting a more holistic approach to young people's physical activity. Natalie is known and respected for her insightful research, passionate advocacy, and continued contribution towards making physical inactivity a thing of the past.

What do we discuss? 

• Natalie's journey in physical education
• The importance of early physical activity
• Natalie's research on physical activity on under fives
• The role of physical literacy in children's lives
• The impact of physical activity on health and society
• The role of education in promoting physical activity
• The importance of physical education in schools
• Challenges and obstacles in implementing physical activity in schools
• Quick wins for promoting physical activity in schools
• The importance of choice in physical education
• Building a relationship between children and physical activity 
• The changing nature of physical activity in childhood
• The role of competition in physical education
• The challenge of disparity in physical abilities
• The importance of physical activity in learning
• The role of data in physical education
• The role of teachers in promoting physical activity