Making Every PE Lesson Count

Written by James Crane, Making Every PE Lesson Count: Six Principles to Support Great Physical Education Teaching provides realistic and practical strategies to help teachers make abstract ideas more concrete and meaningful in both practical and theoretical PE lessons.

Physical education offers a unique opportunity for some students to flourish as athletes or achieve excellent academic outcomes. Yet, for most PE teachers, the ultimate goal is much broader: ensuring that every student leaves school with a lifelong love of physical activity and participation in sport. The benefits for physical, mental, and social wellbeing are undeniable, making PE a vital part of the curriculum and a powerful vehicle for developing resilience, determination, and perseverance.

Written in the engaging style of the award-winning Making Every Lesson Count series, James Crane explores the fundamentals of effective PE teaching and shares practical strategies designed to challenge and support students across all aspects of the subject. In an era of educational quick fixes and constantly shifting priorities, this timely book returns to a central question: What can I do to help my students thrive in the wide world of physical education?

The book is built around six key pedagogical principles:
ChallengeExplanationModellingPracticeFeedbackQuestioning
Rather than treating these principles as a checklist, Crane demonstrates how they work together to create well-structured, purposeful, and effective teaching.

Drawing on the latest evidence around teaching and learning, the book brings research to life through the lens of a secondary PE teacher. Using real-world examples from a wide range of sports, physical activities, and classroom-based theory lessons, Crane shows how these principles can be applied in practice while encouraging teachers to reflect critically on their own teaching.

Making Every PE Lesson Count successfully bridges the gap between educational research and classroom practice, offering an accessible and practical guide for PE teachers at every stage of their career.

Praise for the book

"This book is easy to read, written with passion and packed with practical ideas, tips and prompts for reflection. From trainees to experienced PE teachers, all are likely to find something that improves their practice. It is structured so you can dip in and focus on a specific aspect or read it as a whole. Heads of department could easily use this as a template for their team's CPD."

— Kevin Lister

"Whether you're new to the profession of teaching PE and sport or a seasoned pro, this book is for you. James creates a powerful balance between research and practice while never losing sight of what matters most: helping students develop a love of physical activity. Filled with practical insights and thoughtful reflection, it offers gentle nudges that will help teachers enable their students to succeed."

— Bryn Llewellyn