Physical Education
Intent
At St. Peter’s CE Primary School & Nursery we recognise the value of Physical Education (P.E.) and that it is not only important for children’s physical health but also their mental health and wellbeing. We fully adhere to the aims of the national curriculum for P.E. whilst aiming to make P.E. enjoyable and accessible to all children regardless of ability and gender. Using a P.E. scheme of work as the foundation (GetSet4PE) our curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils:
- develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
- are physically active for sustained periods of time
- engage in competitive sports and activities
- lead healthy, active lives
We endeavour to introduce children to a wide range of sports so that they can find activities that appeal to them and that they can pursue beyond their time in school, promoting a healthier future lifestyle.
Implementation
P.E. is taught at St. Peter’s as an area of learning in its own right. There are a minimum of two P.E. sessions a week for each class. Using our P.E. curriculum (based upon GetSet4PE) the key knowledge and skills of each topic are mapped across each year group. This ensures that children develop their knowledge of games, dance, gymnastics, athletics and outdoor and adventurous activities progressively. The skills in these areas are also developed systematically, with the programme of study for each year group building on previous learning and preparing for subsequent years.
Lessons are taught so that children:
- develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, both individually and with others
- engage in competitive (both against themselves and others) and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations
- apply and develop a broad range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement
- enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other
- develop an understanding of how to improve in different physical activities and sports and learn how to evaluate and recognise their own success.
All children have the opportunity to participate in P.E. at their own level of development, with teachers ensuring that lessons cater for individual needs. As well as securing and building on a range of skills, children develop knowledge of the basic rules of a range of games and activities. They experience positive competition and a strong focus is placed on developing good sporting attitudes. Children learn in a safe environment and have a foundation for lifelong physical activity, leaving our school physically active.
Impact
Our children complete each Key Stage with a high proficiency in each aspect of P.E. meeting their age-appropriate skills in Physical Education and being able to transfer these skills into other sports and everyday activities. Children are aware of the link between physical activity and good mental health and understand its significance as part of a healthy lifestyle and it is hoped that Physical Education lessons at school will develop into a love of sport and physical activity, so that our children will engage in extra-curricular sporting opportunities provided by the school and local clubs and agencies. Through our Physical Education curriculum, we believe we can equip children with skills in team building, promote physical and mental health and boost confidence and resilience.
Our children’s successes have been highlighted in ways such as: winning the School Games Mark Gold award, high percentages of Year 6 children meeting the swimming curriculum goals (see below) and high quality performances in inter- and intra-school competitions.
Percentage of Year 6 pupils in last year’s cohort who could:
- swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres: 90%
- use a range of strokes effectively: 90%
- perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situation: 85%