What Does Progression Actually Look Like in PE?

Progression is a word we hear a lot in PE.
But what do we really mean by it?
For some, it still conjures up images of elite performance—faster times, better scores, more technical skill.

But in most school settings, that’s not the goal.
We’re not trying to produce professional athletes.
We’re trying to help every student get better—at their own pace, from their own starting point.

That’s what progression should be about: individual improvement, not just performance outcomes

So, what does progression look like in action?
Here are three key signs that your students are improving:

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 – Can they perform the same skill in more challenging scenarios?

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 – Are they making fewer errors, even under pressure?

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – Are they self-correcting and applying what they’ve learned?

This is what we build toward in a well-structured PE curriculum.
It’s not about talent—it’s about development.

Why it matters:
When students see progress, they believe in their ability to improve.
And when that belief is in place, everything changes. Engagement increases. Confidence grows. And students begin to take ownership of their learning.