School Sport Unit: Gymnastics

Version control: Original 1986 / Updated 1999 / Updated 2003 / Updated 2012 / Updated 2015/ Updated February 2023 / Updated 2025/ Updated Oct 2026

Introduction

Teachers must follow these Specific sport and physical activity guidelines together with the Sport and physical activity procedures and Supporting tools and resources to meet duty of care and manage risks effectively at the local level.

All teachers delivering sport and physical activity should be familiar with the Concussion information and protocols included in the Supporting tools and resources and have completed the School Sport Unit - Recognising and responding to concussion MyPL online course.

The guidelines support safe, inclusive and compliant sport delivery through:

weekly school sport
one-off events or gala days
the Representative School Sport Pathway.

They outline compliance measures to address inherent risks, offer advice on modifying traditional rules and equipment to reduce risk, and provide guidance on adapting activities to support the inclusion of all students.

Key

The following key indicates the level of teacher qualification required to deliver a specific activity as part of a school sport program:

Note: This key does not determine the WHS risk level for an activity. It may inform local risk assessment as one component of the broader WHS risk management process, as outlined in the WHS Risk Management procedure.

Banned activitiesBanned activity (Black)

The following gymnastic skills are not permitted in schools:

gymnastic bridges
any form of somersaults
head stands
dive rolls.

Note: Elite gymnastics skills, including aerials and tumbling skills such as handsprings, are only permitted in Representative School Sport Pathway events and elite creative arts performances. These skills can only be performed under the supervision of accredited gymnastics coaches and require fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment.

Modified gymnasticsLow risk (Green)

Gymnastics can be modified to promote safe participation, skill development and inclusion by adjusting rules, equipment and playing conditions. Modifications may include, but are not limited to:

excluding advanced tumbling skills, spotting and the use of traditional gymnastics apparatus such as trampolines, vaults, rings and full-height beams and bars
activities that focus on the development of Fundamental Movement Skills
basic skills taught sequentially and progressively
use of hand-held apparatus such as balls, ropes and hoops, and purpose-built modified gymnastics equipment such as low, stable balance beams and bars for basic balance and hanging activities.
activities that build confidence, body control, balance, coordination and working with others
delivering the activity as a non-competitive program that prioritises skill development, confidence, decision-making and full participation.

Teacher qualifications

There is no additional professional learning/accreditation required for modified gymnastics.

Permission

Parent/carer permission is not required for students to participate in modified gymnastics activities that are delivered by teachers on school grounds or within walking distance.

See Permission page for more information.

Equipment

Gymnastics equipment

All equipment must be checked for safety before each lesson and must not be used if defective.
Hand-held apparatus must be suitable for the size and ability of the student.
Hoops should be round, smooth and an appropriate size for the participant.
Purpose-built modified gymnastics equipment, such as low balance beams and bars, must be stable and suitable for the activity and students' abilities
Ropes should be light and supple, with ends knotted for safety and a length suited to the participant.
Balls should be appropriately sized, made of suitable material and inflated to support safe handling activities.

Personal:

No personal safety equipment is required for modified gymnastics.
Socked feet are not permitted.

Safety

The ground surface and immediate surrounds must be clear of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags.

Activities must be suitable for safe participation in the clothing, footwear and personal items students are wearing. Jewellery, ornaments and other items likely to cause injury must be removed or secured before participating.

Activities should be adjusted to support participation for students with minor pre-existing injuries or temporary limitations, ensuring the activity remains safe.

Resources

- Sport education teaching resource - modified gymnastics
- Playing for life - Gymnastics companion book

GymnasticsHigh risk (Red)

Gymnastics has the following characteristics:

typically includes progressive skill development, with activities ranging from Fundamental Movement Skills to more advanced apparatus-based routines
may involve floor-based movement, tumbling, spotting and/or the use of apparatus such as trampolines, vault, beam, bars and rings, depending on the level of the activity
may be participated in competitively
- as part of an interschool event
- as part of the Representative School Sport Pathway.

Teacher/instructor qualifications and experience

Teacher and instructor

The adult leading instruction in gymnastics must hold:

a current Gymnastics Australia coach accreditation relevant to the discipline and level of the activity. This may include, as appropriate, Fundamental Gymnastics Coach, Intermediate Coach, Advanced Coach, Advanced Silver Coach or High-Performance Coach.

Teachers and instructors must only deliver activities within the scope of their accreditation, experience and competence.

The school principal must record qualifications of the teacher/s and/or instructors.

Permission

All students must have parent/carer permission to participate in gymnastics.

See Permission page for more information.

Supervision

Supervision ratios must not exceed average class size. Where a non-teacher provides instruction, a teacher must be present for each class-sized group to take overall supervision responsibility and to hold duty of care.

Accompanying teachers must have completed the department’s mandatory Emergency Care training. At least one accompanying teacher must hold current department-approved CPR training.

Officiating should be appropriate to the level of competition. Where possible, a suitably qualified or experienced judge should officiate competitive events.

Equipment

A first aid kit that meets the checklist in the First Aid Plan, as outlined in the department’s First aid procedure, is required.

Gymnastics equipment

All equipment must be checked for safety before each lesson and must not be used if defective.
Apparatus must be of suitable height and width for the activity, appropriately arranged for the specific skills being taught, placed parallel to walls and adequately spaced to support safe use and supervision.
Appropriate and adequate matting must be provided under and around all equipment to the point of likely projection.
Mats must not overlap, must be joined with no ridges, and mats with holes must not be used. Where possible, velcro-edged mats should be used.

Vault

A soft stacker vault with velcroed segments is suitable for use.
Vaulting apparatus must be adjusted to suit the ability and experience of students.
The organisation, thickness and placement of mats must be appropriate to the apparatus and skill being performed.

Uneven bars

Bars must be correctly assembled and securely anchored. Floor plates and wires must be checked before each class or session.
Appropriate matting must be placed under the bars and in the landing area.
Chalk should be available to reduce hand slippage.
Where long periods of practice are required, leather handgrips should be worn.

Beam

The beam must be stable and securely attached, with height adjustment fittings checked before use.
Matting must be placed under the beam, around the leg supports and in the landing area.
Students must not adjust the beam height without permission.

Rings

Appropriate matting must be placed under the rings and in the landing area.
Chalk should be available to reduce hand slippage.
Where long periods of practice are required, leather handgrips should be worn.

Parallel bars

All fittings must be secure, the apparatus stable and the bars appropriately spaced for the activity being taught.
Appropriate matting must be placed under the bars and in the landing area.
Chalk should be available to reduce hand slippage.

Horizontal bar

The bar must be correctly assembled and securely anchored. Floor plates and wires must be checked before use.
Appropriate matting must be placed under the bar and in the landing area.
Chalk should be available to reduce hand slippage.
Where long periods of practice are required, leather handgrips should be worn.

Personal safety

Shorts or sports briefs and a T-shirt should be worn. Leotards are optional.
Students should wear sports shoes for outdoor activities. Socked feet are not permitted, except when using a trampoline. Socked feet are not permitted on a mini trampoline.
On uneven bars, zippered clothing, buttoned pants and tracksuit pants should not be worn.

Venues

Where possible, gymnastics should be taught indoors on a wooden floor. If conducted outdoors, a grass surface is preferable to concrete or asphalt. In all cases, adequate matting must be used under and around equipment and for floor activities.

All event areas and their immediate surrounds must be free of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags. The playing surface must be of a suitable and safe standard.

Pre-activity venue checklists, available in Supporting tools and resources, may assist staff to inspect the venue before the activity.

Safety

Students must be instructed in safety procedures and spotting techniques and must not perform unauthorised activities. Basic skills must be taught sequentially and progressively. If a teacher or instructor does not consider a student capable of performing a skill, the student must not attempt it. Graded progressive skills must be provided and mastered before more difficult skills are attempted. Students must not be forced to perform a skill if they are not confident.

Spotters or padders should be used at apparatus, as appropriate. For higher-level skills, either the teacher or instructor should pad.

Spotting must not be used as a substitute for poor equipment, poor technical preparation or attempting a skill before prerequisites are mastered.

To reduce the need for students to spot, difficult apparatus activities should be located at one workstation, so that the instructor can supervise and pad effectively.

The following skills are not permitted in schools: gymnastic bridges, any form of somersaults, head stands and dive rolls.

Activities involving weight bearing on the head, excessive flexion or hanging by the knees from apparatus must not be included.

Vault

Before using the vault, students must be proficient in beat board use and taught the skills of approach, take-off and landing.
All vault activities must have competent and experienced spotters or padders positioned appropriately for the vault being performed.

Uneven bars

Activities must be graded and progressive.
Spotters must be used at all times and padders used when new skills are being attempted.

Beam

Skills should be taught progressively from floor to low beam, to high beam.

Rings

Students should begin with basic skills and progress through a graded sequence of activities.
At least one spotter or padder must be stationed at the apparatus.

Parallel bars

Students should begin with basic skills. Strength and technique must be sufficient before more advanced activities are attempted.
At least one spotter or padder must be stationed at the apparatus. Padding must occur from beneath the bars.

Horizontal bar

Students should begin with basic skills and progress through a graded sequence of activities.
At least one spotter or padder must be stationed at the apparatus.

Where possible, especially in completive events, designated sports medicine personnel should be present.

Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.

Students must not participate or continue to participate if injured. If a teacher or instructor suspects an injury, the student must be removed and must not return until fully healed or medically cleared.

If an injury involves bleeding, follow the department's Infection Control Procedures.

Appendix B: Procedures for spills of blood and other body substances
Appendix C: Procedures for contact with blood or body fluids

Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.

Resources

Risk assessment support

Representative School Sport Sport Pathway

NSW CHSSA Gymnastics handbook

*Disclaimer: In line with the NSW Government’s full disclaimer regarding links to external sites, links are provided with the intention of increasing the information available to you and do not imply that the department endorses those websites or the people or companies who own them. The NSW Department of Education has no control over linked websites, and is not responsible for the views, opinions, standards or information expressed on them