Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your school and its PE context?

As part of my role at a state-funded secondary school in Cambridgeshire, I help deliver the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for Years 7-9 alongside a range of PE-related courses for KS4 & KS5 students.

We are a mixed-gender school where students study core PE from years 7-11. In Years 7–9, our focus is on developing holistic, knowledgeable and reflective learners who are inspired to engage in physical activity. We are also an incredibly inclusive school, with a large number of students with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) due to the bespoke support we offer.

Girls’ engagement in PE varies across year groups and classes. While some students are regularly engaged in physical activity, others are less engaged or unsure of the opportunities available to them, either within school or in the wider community. One of the most common barriers for less‑engaged students is not knowing how they can take part in physical activity without it being competitive.

What made you decide to try Studio You?

From Years 7–9, our fitness unit focuses on building students’ knowledge and understanding of the body, training methods and how to set SMART goals. We also want to broaden their understanding of physical activity from an individual perspective, rather than focusing solely on team sports.

Independent fitness is a key part of what we teach – activities that students can complete anywhere, whether that’s at home, on holiday or in their bedroom. Previously, we relied on a range of online videos, often from YouTube, but finding the right content in terms of age-appropriateness, instructor, ability-level and tone was challenging.

After a friend (who is also a PE teacher) recommended Studio You, I found that some of the videos were exactly what I was looking for. The range of disciplines felt like a strong fit for our curriculum and offered a more consistent, high‑quality alternative to what we had been using previously.

How do you typically use Studio You within your lessons?

I decided to trial Studio You with a group of girls who did not appear interested in physical activity, but who had previously engaged with ‘Just Dance’ videos on YouTube. Initially I started with some of the dance-based videos before branching out into using some of the other disciplines.

Now I regularly use Studio You as part of our fitness units, within a block of lessons focused on independent or personal exercise. The purpose of this section of the curriculum is to encourage students to explore a range of activities they can use to become more physically active in their own time. In these sessions, I tend to opt for strength-based disciplines as a starter before going on to use other disciplines; I find safety in knowing that the video qualities irrespective of disciplines remain high.

We usually begin by discussing common barriers to physical activity and how these might affect different individuals. As a class, we then complete a Studio You session together, following a clear warm‑up, main activity and cool‑down. Afterwards, we reflect on how the session felt, how it helped address certain barriers and what students’ next steps might be. At times, this is supported by discussions around exercise intensity or the use of heart rate monitors, helping students better understand how different types of activity support their health and wellbeing.

How do you adapt Studio You for different abilities and confidence levels?

One of the real strengths of Studio You is how inclusive and accessible the sessions are. The adaptations within the resources are clearly demonstrated, which makes it easier for all students to engage. In my context, this is particularly valuable for students with SEND, who are able to participate fully through adapted movements while still feeling part of the group.

I also find the supporting discipline cards incredibly useful because it enables me to cater for all students’ ability levels and ensures everyone gains value from the lesson. I’ve even printed these off to use with teaching assistants and peers to support lesson delivery.

How have your students responded?

Students who have engaged well really value the quality of the content. Previously, we relied on a wide range of online videos, and the quality and language used was often inconsistent or difficult for students to connect with. With Studio You, I can be confident that the instructors are motivating and engaging, the language is accessible and the focus is on personal development and enjoying physical activity.

For some students, particularly those who are more self-conscious, Studio You has created a safer environment and helped them see the value of staying active. Over several weeks, as we revisit the sessions and continue to address barriers together, the girls begin to take greater ownership of their own health and fitness – which is incredibly empowering to see.