Introduction
Mike Lowery, Director of Sport at a large British curriculum international school in Dubai, details his ambitious project: implementing a mandatory, 18-week High Performance (HP) mindset curriculum for all Key Stage 3 core PE students.
Vision and Context in Dubai
Mike oversees a large department of 22 staff serving 4,200 children. His philosophy is rooted in PE (physical literacy, joy of movement) while advocating for competition, noting that 96% of his students enjoy competition when framed correctly, avoiding a “win at all costs” culture.
The design of the HP curriculum was shaped by their specific context:
- Curriculum Time: Students receive three hours of Core PE per week.
- Climate Constraint: Extreme heat (45–46°C) dictates that a significant portion of the timetable must be dedicated to classroom-based or indoor activity.
- Mandate: The HP curriculum is explicitly delivered and mandatory for all students, making it unique compared to optional programmes elsewhere.
The High Performance (HP) Mindset Curriculum
Mike defines HP not as an elite destination, but as a mindset for life. The three main strands of HP are delivered over 18 weeks (six weeks per strand): “I’m going to move in the best way that I can. I’m going to eat in the best way that I can, and I’m going to think in the best way that I can”.
| HP Strand | Delivery Focus (Theory and Practical) | Purpose |
| Sports Nutrition | Delivered by a qualified nutritionist/PE teacher. Includes practical application and theory, focusing on busting Instagram myths for young men. | Eating in the best way; challenging misinformation. |
| Strength and Conditioning (S&C) | Focuses on fundamental animal movements and moving well and efficiently. No traditional weightlifting. | Moving in the best way possible. |
| Sport Psychology | Explicitly delivered using models like Red to Blue coaching. Theory is linked to exams, behaviour, and general attitude. | Thinking in the best way; developing a growth mindset. |
Curriculum Structure: Each strand involves a three-week split between hands-on theory (in a classroom) and practical application (in the gym), followed by a swap.
Changing the High Performance Narrative
Mike acknowledges the need to shift the narrative around “High Performance”.
- Marketing: HP is used as a powerful marketing term in the context of a private school, but the core message is that an HP mindset involves challenging the status quo and thinking critically.
- Cognitive Skills: The goal is to develop higher-level cognitive skills and the confidence to challenge what they see (e.g. social media myths).
- Scale and Impact: The scale of the mandatory sports nutrition programme (1,100 children per year) is viewed as world-leading, providing a premium service at a mid-market price point.
Leadership Insights and Psychological Safety
Mike applies high-performance principles to his leadership, focusing on developing his large team.
- Candour with Kindness: Leaders must be “razor sharp” and candid about the team’s current position to define future ambition. Avoiding honest conversations is detrimental.
- Psychological Safety: This is not softness, but the expectation of performance backed by the assurance: “I’ve got you. I’m here. It’s okay to fail”.
- The Goldfish Bowl: As a radical technique for identifying team friction, the leadership team participates in a “goldfish bowl” review where individuals receive face-to-face feedback on things they do that both drive the team forward and hold the team back.
- Developing Leaders: Mike promotes internally, ensuring his team feels empowered, and uses a supportive structure where key leaders act as a “mirror” to hold him accountable.
Quickfire Questions and Professional Insight
Mike’s responses focus on engagement and core purpose:
| Category | Response Details |
| Non-Negotiables | Children must feel they have a champion in their teacher or coach. Movement time must be maximised (“You’re never going to get better on a bench”). |
| Mantra | Focusing on “We” before “I” or “Me” (collective ownership). |
| Removal from PE | The ego of teachers focused on winning at developmental ages (6 to 12 years old). This involves avoiding pressure tactics like benching players to win. |
| Advice for New Teachers | Remember your why and be resilient, especially in challenging situations. Make the best of limited space (e.g. using curling in corridors). Don’t be afraid to ask for help; teachers must move past the ego of thinking they know everything. |
| One Word for PE | Fun. |
Conclusion
Mike emphasises that even when facilities are limited (e.g. teaching PE in corridors), finding simple, fun activities ensures the children still have a positive experience.
About the Guest
This episode is a conversation with Mike Lowery, Director of Sport at a large British International School in Dubai.
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