Important girls have a choice over clothing in school PE lessons, says Worcestershire games organisers
New research from the University of Bristol has shown that secondary school-aged girls would want to be involved in PE lessons more if they had more choice over their school sports kit
A pair of school games organisers in Worcestershire are calling for girls to continue to be allowed to have a say in what they wear for PE lessons.
New research out today from the University of Bristol has revealed secondary school-aged girls would feel less self-conscious and more able to fully take part in PE lessons if they had more choice over their school sports kit.
The study involved interviews and focus groups with 12 to 13-year-old girls and PE teachers from mixed-sex secondary schools in England.
Its findings also revealed girls with lower self-esteem may be less likely to join in their PE lessons if compulsory items of clothing felt too tight or revealing.
Alexandra Repton is a development manager and school games organiser for the Wyre Forest and Droitwich and Worcester City, she says its vital to hear from these girls as to what might be stopping them getting involved with physical exercise.
She said: "Body confidence and self-esteem are quite big issues in terms of girls engaging in PE and we've done a lot of work with our secondary schools, particularly around looking at altering curriculums to give girls a voice in what that curriculum looks like.
"Alongside that it allows them to be having discussions around what the PE kit should look like, what the girls would engage in during the lessons, what they would wear.
"A lot of schools now are moving away from the sort of shorts or PE skirts and are allowing the girls to wear leggings and that's having a real positive effect."
Results showed girls want to choose the types of bottoms, such as leggings, jogging bottoms, or shorts, they wear for PE.
They also want the option to wear additional layers, so they can cover up parts of their bodies they feel self-conscious about.
Tracey Freer, who works alongside Mrs Repton as the school games organiser for North Worcestershire supports the idea of giving girls more control over their PE kits, she said: "I think it's about empowering these girls, feeling that they've got a voice.
"I think often they don't feel listened to and I think it's important that the decision makers within schools are listening to what's being said."
The research has been used to develop free guidance and support for schools nationally on how to develop comfortable and inclusive PE kit policies and practices.
Changing rooms were also a big talking point for girls in the study, with many feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious changing for PE.
A possible solution identified was for schools to allow pupils to wear their PE kit all day on the days they have PE lessons, an approach which girls and PE staff study participants widely supported.