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In conversation with... Mr Rouse

When it comes to inspiring young learners through physical education, few have a story as rich and varied as Brendan Rouse. From starting his teaching career in Religious Education to becoming a driving force for PE in primary schools, Brendan’s journey spans more than 20 years of innovation, advocacy, and hands-on experience. His passion for creating inclusive, engaging lessons shines through - from championing skipping ropes as the ultimate multi-purpose tool to leading entire year groups in dance performances that break down barriers.

In this conversation, Brendan shares the moments that shaped his career, the challenges PE teachers face today, and his vision for a future where every child has the chance to thrive through sport. Whether you’re a fellow educator, a parent, or simply curious about what makes great PE teaching tick, Brendan’s insights are packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Can you walk us through your career journey so far?

I began my teaching career with a PGCE in Secondary Religious Education in York, which led to three years teaching RE before I moved to Bath and transitioned into Primary education. In 2002, my work as PE lead was recognised with the Activemark Gold Award, which led to a secondment with the School Sports Coordinator Programme, supporting a cluster of Primary schools. That was originally a three-year contract — and 22 years later, I’m still working as an SSCo!

Since 2003, my career has taken a varied path. I’ve worked as a class teacher, a PPA PE specialist, a Forest School leader, and an Associate Lecturer on the Primary PGCE at Bath Spa University. Most recently, I’ve added the role of Alternative Provision mentor to my toolkit.

Brendan Rouse collecting the Contribution to PE Award, featured on Sports Directory’s In Conversation With series highlighting leaders in physical education.

Brendan collecting the Contribution to PE Award

Can you walk us through your career journey so far?

I began my teaching career with a PGCE in Secondary Religious Education in York, which led to three years teaching RE before I moved to Bath and transitioned into Primary education. In 2002, my work as PE lead was recognised with the Activemark Gold Award, which led to a secondment with the School Sports Coordinator Programme, supporting a cluster of Primary schools. That was originally a three-year contract — and 22 years later, I’m still working as an SSCo!

Since 2003, my career has taken a varied path. I’ve worked as a class teacher, a PPA PE specialist, a Forest School leader, and an Associate Lecturer on the Primary PGCE at Bath Spa University. Most recently, I’ve added the role of Alternative Provision mentor to my toolkit.

Brendan collecting the Contribution to PE Award

Can you walk us through your career journey so far?

I began my teaching career with a PGCE in Secondary Religious Education in York, which led to three years teaching RE before I moved to Bath and transitioned into Primary education. In 2002, my work as PE lead was recognised with the Activemark Gold Award, which led to a secondment with the School Sports Coordinator Programme, supporting a cluster of Primary schools. That was originally a three-year contract — and 22 years later, I’m still working as an SSCo!

Since 2003, my career has taken a varied path. I’ve worked as a class teacher, a PPA PE specialist, a Forest School leader, and an Associate Lecturer on the Primary PGCE at Bath Spa University. Most recently, I’ve added the role of Alternative Provision mentor to my toolkit.

Brendan collecting the Contribution to PE Award

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

As PE lead you can really make a difference. One moment that’s always stayed with me was when I observed two teachers who had joined their classes together for a PE lesson — not to teach, but to discuss their literacy planning while the pupils were left to entertain themselves without any equipment. They were genuinely pleased that six of the sixty pupils were pretending to play Quidditch, while the other 54 were just sitting around.

With the right support, those teachers came to understand the value of PE, and soon the pupils in their classes were receiving high-quality, purposeful lessons.

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

I’d have to say skipping ropes as they have so many uses. They can be used for solo jump-rope and partner skipping, but I’ve also used them as lines to jump over, laid them out as circles to stand in, and even used them as tails in catching games.

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

Inspire — get them to want to learn more.

Challenge — make it just hard enough that they need to practise.

Celebrate — recognise everyone’s achievements.

Brendan Rouse appearing on breakfast TV after winning the 2002 Tennis Teacher of the Year Award, featured in Sports Directory’s In Conversation With series on PE leaders.

Mr Rouse appearing on Breakfast TV after winning the 2002 Tennis Teacher of the Year award.

Inspire — get them to want to learn more.

Challenge — make it just hard enough that they need to practise.

Celebrate — recognise everyone’s achievements.

Mr Rouse appearing on Breakfast TV after winning the 2002 Tennis Teacher of the Year award.

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

Inspire — get them to want to learn more.

Challenge — make it just hard enough that they need to practise.

Celebrate — recognise everyone’s achievements.

Mr Rouse appearing on Breakfast TV after winning the 2002 Tennis Teacher of the Year award.

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

Staff confidence and a crowded curriculum are two major challenges. Often, student teachers miss out on seeing PE taught during their training year because that time is typically spent planning. Without that exposure, they’re less confident when it comes to delivering PE themselves.

That lack of confidence can lead to PE being deprioritised. When the school day gets squeezed by things like assemblies or trips, PE is often the first subject to be dropped.

Supporting staff to build their confidence and understand the value of PE is key to making sure it stays firmly on the timetable.

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

One of the most powerful changes has come through our involvement in the Sports Partnership Dance Show. We’ve taken an entire year group to perform the dances we’ve worked on during PE lessons.

At first, some pupils were reluctant to join in, and a few parents were hesitant about giving up an evening. But one year, a pupil with SEND who we thought might only manage the opening few moves and run off stage surprised us all by completing the entire routine.

From that moment on, the message to students was clear: if he could do it, they could and should too, and they should feel inspired by his example.

Brendan Rouse playing shinty for England, featured in Sports Directory’s In Conversation With series celebrating leaders in school sport and physical education.

Brendan playing Shinty for England

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

One of the most powerful changes has come through our involvement in the Sports Partnership Dance Show. We’ve taken an entire year group to perform the dances we’ve worked on during PE lessons.

At first, some pupils were reluctant to join in, and a few parents were hesitant about giving up an evening. But one year, a pupil with SEND who we thought might only manage the opening few moves and run off stage surprised us all by completing the entire routine.

From that moment on, the message to students was clear: if he could do it, they could and should too, and they should feel inspired by his example.

Brendan playing Shinty for England

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

One of the most powerful changes has come through our involvement in the Sports Partnership Dance Show. We’ve taken an entire year group to perform the dances we’ve worked on during PE lessons.

At first, some pupils were reluctant to join in, and a few parents were hesitant about giving up an evening. But one year, a pupil with SEND who we thought might only manage the opening few moves and run off stage surprised us all by completing the entire routine.

From that moment on, the message to students was clear: if he could do it, they could and should too, and they should feel inspired by his example.

Brendan playing Shinty for England

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

PE is a learning subject. It’s about setting a personal best at something and then beating it.

If students see their own progress, it helps them realise they’re learning and getting better.

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

Table Tennis balls! Bounce a table tennis ball on the base of a Speedstack cup, on your elbow, knee, and finally catch it in the cup. Speedstacks themselves also work well as a coordination challenge or competitive activity.

We’ve also used African Body Percussion to explore rhythm and movement in a different way.

Also, online dance resources are brilliant when it is raining. We often use Danny Go!, GoNoodle, Cosmic Kids Yoga, and Kid Power to keep pupils moving and engaged.

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

One of my favourites is I Like to Boogie by T. Rex. Every time the word ‘boogie’ is sung, pupils have to do an action like touching the floor or jumping high.

For Nursery and KS1, Sticky Kids songs are brilliant for getting them moving. Here’s a playlist I often use:

Warm Up With The Sticky Kids

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

Inter-school competitive sports festivals where every junior pupil in the school takes part in a team event. This could be held at a University where every child goes to a different area to be in a football, rugby, athletics, swimming, gymnastic, cycling, tennis etc event. This means that rather than the same few children representing every team, everyone has the opportunity of being in a team against other schools.

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

Best memory was when the parents at my primary school booked a swimming pool for an hour each week. They were in the water with us too, which created a brilliant sense of community. Non-swimmers were getting more confidence in the shallow end, and the more confident swimmers raced the parents.

If opportunities like that were more common, I genuinely believe we could see 100% of children and adults swimming.

Brendan Rouse windsurfing, featured in Sports Directory’s In Conversation With series highlighting inspiring figures in physical education and school sport.

Brendan windsurfing

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

Best memory was when the parents at my primary school booked a swimming pool for an hour each week. They were in the water with us too, which created a brilliant sense of community. Non-swimmers were getting more confidence in the shallow end, and the more confident swimmers raced the parents.

If opportunities like that were more common, I genuinely believe we could see 100% of children and adults swimming.

Brendan windsurfing

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

Best memory was when the parents at my primary school booked a swimming pool for an hour each week. They were in the water with us too, which created a brilliant sense of community. Non-swimmers were getting more confidence in the shallow end, and the more confident swimmers raced the parents.

If opportunities like that were more common, I genuinely believe we could see 100% of children and adults swimming.

Brendan windsurfing

Who was your most memorable teacher and why?

That’s a tough question—while no one teacher comes immediately to mind, I’ve always admired Professor Keating from Dead Poets Society (played by Robin Williams). He really embodied passion and the idea of seizing the day.

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

Employ sports coaches to be based in community hubs sites e.g. leisure centres, schools, sports clubs. They could come into schools and coach during the day to promote their sports and venues so pupils would have a familiar face and be more confident to join the club.

If we want children to be inspired by a sport, we need to make sure they have the opportunity to continue it beyond the school gates.

Brendan Rouse hiking along the Cape Wrath Trail, featured in Sports Directory’s In Conversation With series showcasing inspiring physical education leaders.

Mr Rouse goes hiking on the Cape Wrath Trail

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

Employ sports coaches to be based in community hubs sites e.g. leisure centres, schools, sports clubs. They could come into schools and coach during the day to promote their sports and venues so pupils would have a familiar face and be more confident to join the club.

If we want children to be inspired by a sport, we need to make sure they have the opportunity to continue it beyond the school gates.

Mr Rouse goes hiking on the Cape Wrath Trail

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

Employ sports coaches to be based in community hubs sites e.g. leisure centres, schools, sports clubs. They could come into schools and coach during the day to promote their sports and venues so pupils would have a familiar face and be more confident to join the club.

If we want children to be inspired by a sport, we need to make sure they have the opportunity to continue it beyond the school gates.

Mr Rouse goes hiking on the Cape Wrath Trail

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

During lockdown, I ran online PE lessons and started with coordination challenges using socks. Soon after I discovered the world of juggling! I managed to get most of my Year 3 to Year 6 pupils confidently juggling three balls.

Personally, I’m now working towards juggling five balls, here’s a short clip of my progress!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HB_hELP0Yr8

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

A retiring teacher said:

‘Your biggest regret will not be the things you did wrong, but the things you didn’t try’.