Episode 90 - Asha Riley - Helping Girls Build a Positive Relationship with Movement

How can we help girls build a relationship with movement that lasts beyond school? In this episode of the PE Insights Podcast, I’m joined by Asha Riley, Head of Active Wellbeing at St Swithun’s Prep School, lecturer and tutor at the University of Buckingham, and creator of MOVE60. Asha shares how she’s working to build an active school culture where girls feel seen, supported and confident to participate. We explore the everyday choices that shape that culture: the opportunities we offer, the voices we listen to, and whose achievements we celebrate. Our conversation covers: • Listening to girls and using the Girls Active survey to inform change. • Creating different routes into activity, from lunchtime clubs to strength and conditioning. • Talking openly about periods, sports bras and barriers to participation. • Helping pupils develop confidence, physical literacy and the ability to adapt as life changes. • Balancing inclusion with appropriate challenge and positive experiences of exertion. We also reflect on Asha’s international teaching experience and what colleagues in different school settings might take from her approach. Throughout, we return to a shared ambition: helping girls leave school with the skills, confidence and positive experiences to keep finding their own ways to be active. PE Insights is brought to you by PE Scholar. Want to take your learning further? Unlock exclusive PE resources, research and CPD courses with PE Scholar Membership—your one-stop hub for professional growth and impact. Use code POD10 at checkout or visit ⁠⁠⁠https://psch.la/POD10⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off today! We are excited to share our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠Sports Directory⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.sportsdirectoryuk.co.uk/?utm_source=pe_scholar&utm_medium=podcast_bio&utm_campaign=pe_scholar_partnership) . Through its “⁠⁠⁠My School Rewards⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.sportsdirectoryuk.co.uk/pages/school-rewards-scheme?utm_source=pe_scholar&utm_medium=podcast_bio&utm_campaign=pe_scholar_partnership) ” scheme, your school will receive 10% back on every order, helping you make your departmental budget go further.