In conversation with... Carolyn Evans

Carolyn Evans brings a distinctive blend of experience, curiosity and determination to the work she does with children. Her path through PE has taken her from pioneering women’s rugby at university to influencing national programmes that expand opportunities for girls in sport. Having taught across every stage of education, she carries a rare perspective on how young people grow through movement, and how teachers can nurture that journey.

Now working as Partnership Director at Sport Impact, hosted by Isleworth and Syon school, alongside her roles as Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools Partnership Strategic Lead and Schools Rugby Manager, Carolyn plays a key role in ensuring PE, sport and wellbeing remain high on school agendas. Her work centres on building strong partnerships with schools, supporting school improvement and championing the development of the whole child through physical activity. It also allows her to shine a light on opportunities for girls in sport, continuing a mission that has shaped much of her career.

Whether she is supporting schools through new curriculum demands or helping children discover confidence they did not know they had, Carolyn approaches her work with warmth, clarity and a genuine belief in what PE can offer. In this interview, she opens up about the moments that shaped her, the ideas guiding her practice, and the future she wants to build for school sport.

Can you walk us through your career journey so far?

My dad was my inspiration with my sporting career. He took up marathon running in his 40’s and fostered a love of movement in myself and my siblings. I enjoyed playing all sports, but it was only when I went to University that I was given the opportunity to play a sport not usually associated with female participation at that time. Joining the University rugby team was one of the best decisions I have made and I joined the pioneering group of women who laid down the foundations for the game as it is today. Working with the RFU as a school rugby manager and England Football as a strategic lead with the Barclays girls’ football in schools programme is incredibly rewarding as we are creating equal access for girls which is something that I am very passionate about.

I feel incredibly and uniquely fortunate to have taught PE in all levels of educational institutions. Delivering PE in Primary, Secondary, FE and teaching PGCE students at local universities has afforded me the opportunity to have experienced and seen the whole PE journey an individual can make first hand. That feels like a special privilege.

What’s a moment in your PE teaching career that really stuck with you — and why?

In March 2023, our girls football partnership was invited to No.10 Downing Street along with 10 leaders from one of our secondary schools and 20 yr 6 girls from one of our primary schools. We were there to celebrate the government’s pledge to support equal access for girls in school sport in response to the Lionesses open letter to the government.

Due to poor weather, we received a call half an hour before arrival to say the venue for playing football had been changed from the garden to one of the state dining rooms! We had to think on our feet as there were numerous antiques and chandeliers to look out for! It was the first time football had been played at No.10, and we all had such a memorable day topped off with meeting Beth Mead, Jill Scott, Ellen White and Sue Campbell.

Carolyn Evans outside 10 Downing Street, when her Girls Football Partnership was invited to meet Beth Mead, Jill Scott, Ellen White, and Sue Campbell.

What’s one piece of kit you couldn’t live without in your PE cupboard — and why?

When I have my PE and school sport specialist hat on, I deliver in Primary schools. You can't beat a decent set of cones/markers. I use these pretty much in every lesson.

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If you had to use three words to describe your approach to teaching PE, what would they be?

Belonging - all children should feel like they belong in PE.

Ownership - empowering children to make decisions

Celebratory - recognising the small wins and letting children know how well they are doing.

What’s the biggest challenge PE teachers face today — and how do you try to tackle it?

Time: I often hear Primary PE leads mentioning time constraints. With the upcoming changes to the curriculum, ensuring teachers know how to apply these changes in teaching high quality PE is going to be vital. As a sports partnership, we are looking forward to working with and supporting our schools through this transition. Developing opportunities for girls, and embedding inclusion will be really interesting and a key piece of our support.

A PE teacher demonstrates netball technique to her students on court, holding a Kooga Netball from Sports Directory as the class watches and learns.

What changes have had a big impact on inclusion in your lessons?

The STEP principle is the gold standard I use for adapting any PE lesson. Even better is the children knowing how to apply this themselves!

STEP stands for Space, Task, Equipment and People. By adjusting the size or layout of the playing area, modifying the task or rules, changing the equipment being used, or altering how pupils are grouped, teachers and pupils can make activities more accessible, appropriately challenging, and inclusive for all learners.

What's your secret to engaging reluctant or less confident students to get involved in PE?

If used at the right time, telling a child that you believe in them are incredibly powerful words.

How do you handle rainy or bad weather days when outdoor activities aren't possible?

I’m really fortunate to use a PE scheme of work that has lots of wet weather PE ideas. There is always something that can done whether it takes place in the classroom or in the hall. Recapping/introducing key vocabulary is a great place to start.

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Bean Bag Bucket (Set of 60)

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What's your go-to song or playlist for PE lessons?

‘I like to move it, move it’ from the film Madagascar is guaranteed to bring about lots of smiles and fun movement, especially if its freestyled!

What’s one thing you’d love to add to your PE curriculum if there were no restrictions?

I would have an indoor mini gym space that has equipment that can be used by primary children and adults alike so it has whole school impact. E.g. a ski erg that children can use as well as adults.

A child exercises in a school gym, skipping with an Everlast skipping rope, focusing on coordination and fitness during a PE session.

What’s your favourite memory from your own school days?

My favourite part of school dinners was the old-fashioned puddings e.g. butterscotch tart with custard and blood and bones as we used to call it = semolina with a swirl of jam!

Who was your most memorable teacher and why?

My last teacher in junior school was called Mr Barclay. He was my absolute favourite teacher. Although he was incredibly strict, I remember learning being so much fun in his lessons.

If you became education secretary tomorrow, what is the first thing you would do?

Ensure all children experience high quality PE that fosters a life long love of being physically active that also embraces well-being. To achieve this, I would give Primary Schools a ringfenced budget for a PE lead to be released from class.

What are some personal goals you have for the future, both in and out of the classroom?

I'm currently training for a hybrid fitness race and I also have just started the Thames Path with some friends that we plan to complete at the end of August.

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever received as a teacher?

Prepare well, deliver, review. It’s one of my favourites from Sue Campbell who is such an inspirational leader.

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