Outsourcing PE or sport is now common in Australian primary schools — but providers vary enormously. Some send a coach with a bag of balls. Others run a genuine educational program. These seven questions will tell you which one you're talking to.
1. Is it mapped to the curriculum — and can they show you?
Ask to see a scope and sequence with actual outcome codes (NESA PDHPE in NSW, VCHPEM in Victoria). If the answer is a shrug, the "program" is supervised play.
2. How do they assess — and what do you receive?
A real provider baselines students, tracks progress and hands your PE coordinator usable evidence: grades, effort scales, comment banks, spreadsheet exports. This is the difference between buying sessions and buying outcomes.
3. What's the compliance pack?
Insurance certificate, WWCC clearances, qualifications, risk management plan — before the first session, not on request.
4. What happens to the child who hates sport?
The best indicator of program quality is the least sporty child in the class. Ask how sessions are differentiated, whether games are modified, and what "inclusion" means in practice. (Our answer: we design for the child who usually sits out.)
5. Who actually shows up each week?
Consistent, named coaches — or a rotating cast of casuals? Children build confidence with adults they trust; that requires the same faces all term.
6. What does it cost the school in staff time?
The right provider reduces workload: planning, delivery, assessment and reporting handled, teachers freed for RFF. If your staff still plan the lessons, you're paying twice.
7. Will they prove it first?
Any provider confident in their sessions will run a free demonstration with one of your classes. If they won't be judged on a session, don't sign for a term.
Build Alpha Kids delivers curriculum-mapped, fully assessed sports programs in 10+ schools and 50+ centres across NSW and Victoria. Book a free demo session — one class, one session, no obligation.