This research project was carried out on physical education in the Irish primary
school. It focuses on the implementation of the physical education curriculum and examines
the factors which have inhibited implementation. As a primary school teacher, the
researcher was aware that in physical education there appeared to be a significant gap
between the theory as set out in the curriculum handbook and the reality of what was
happening in schools. It was the researcher’s perception of this gap between policy and
practice which prompted the researcher to investigate the circumstances and factors which
might have contributed to this situation. The research was conducted at this particular time
because of the recent launch of the Revised Primary School Curriculum in 1999. The
physical education element of this curriculum is due for introduction in 2004
