Parkour, pickleball and korfball will be included in the physical education curriculum resources available in schools.

The Oak National Academy – an independent organization responsible for helping schools deliver curriculum content – ​​has launched educational resources for teachers in a bid to engage more young people.

Teaching materials for physical education classes in schools introduce parkour, also known as freerunning, which is the art of negotiating terrain using only the natural strength of one’s body, primarily by running, jumping and while climbing.

While popular parkour videos typically show participants using free running techniques to scale urban structures, classes can all be held in a school gymnasium using equipment such as beams and vaults.

It comes after the UK became the first country in the world to officially recognize parkour as a sport in 2017.

Teaching resources for physical education also cover racket sports, pickleball and korfball, which are similar to netball and basketball. They will join traditional sports like football, hockey, tennis and athletics.

Oak National Academy, which is a state-funded creator of teaching resources for schools in England, will be rolling out teaching resources for nine subjects during this academic year.

For computing, schools will be offered online safety courses for pupils aged five and up – which cover the risks of excessive screen time, responsible online behavior and cyberbullying.

Art and design teaching resources feature contemporary artists like Alberta Whittle, Chila Kumari Burman and Frank Bowling, as well as well-known figures like Picasso and Van Gogh.

Matt Hood, Managing Director of Oak National Academy, said: “We want to inspire the next generation of artists, technology entrepreneurs, athletes, coaches and musicians with our courses.

“These comprehensive and exciting new teaching plans will help schools and teachers deliver excellent teaching that engages children and prepares them for life beyond the school gates. »

He added: “I’m delighted that we offer such a wide variety of sports within the PE curriculum so that teachers have the resources to deliver everything from football and hockey to parkour and pickleball – from what to involve all their students.

“Digital skills are embedded in our IT resources and online safety is also a big part of it, which we know parents care deeply about. »

Jason Elsom, chief executive of the charity Parentkind, welcomed the inclusion of online safety in educational resources for young students.

He said: “When we speak to parents, online safety and the risks of social media are always one of the biggest concerns. »

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Physical education classes are essential for promoting the benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, and educational resources covering different, more modern sports may well be useful in some contexts. .

“Most important is that schools retain the freedom to access a wide range of educational resources and adapt them in the way that best suits the needs of their students. »