Class Boys Girls Average Age (Sd) First
3
3
7( 1)
Second
4
4
8 ( 1)
Third
3
3
9( 1)
Fourth
3
3
10( 1)
Fifth
3
3
11( 1)
Sixth
4
4
12( 1)
Aim. To explore children’s perspectives on physical education, physical
activity and Outdoor and Adventure Activities.
The interview schedule included semi-structured questions covering the
following topics:
General questions about their school and subjects
What they understood about physical education
Break-time physical activity
What they understood about Outdoor and Adventure Activities
Methodology. Focus group interviews and observations recorded as field notes
were used to gather the data. Forty children (20 male and 20 female) participated in the
focus groups as outlined in Table 4.5. The interviews took place in the school library,
during the school day. Further information on the methodology and methods of
analysis can be seen in chapter three. The findings will be reported under the interview
topics.
School and subjects. The school environment was described as a large place,
with teachers and the Principal being highlighted as friendly by all year groups. The
children enjoy the space they have in the school with large yards to run around;
‘The yards are quite big so you can run around and have fun’ (FGC Boy 3) and,
‘there is a big space to run around’ (FGC Boy 1). When asked about subjects they liked
responses echoed those found in the questionnaire. Many of the children preferred Art
and Physical Education, with Mathematics featuring also. When asked why they liked
these subjects, answers ranged from
‘because they are easy’ to
‘they are fun’ to
‘there is
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no homework’ . When asked what they disliked about their school the unanimous
answer was
‘homework’ .
