PE
“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”
John. F. Kennedy
Intent
At Lime Walk, Physical Education is an integral part of our Curriculum that is inclusive and engages all pupils, in a supportive and challenging environment. By offering a broad and balanced P.E. curriculum we aim to provide children with a range of experiences that allow them to develop their skills of movement, as well as encouraging them to develop and apply their interpersonal skills including determination, self-belief, teamwork and passion.
We aim to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities which enable all children to succeed and to enjoy their learning. We want children to have the chance to participate in a balance of individual, team, co-operative and competitive activities. Through this, we teach children to understand and recognise the relevant rules, laws, and etiquette and safety procedures for different activities.
We understand the importance of Physical Education in instilling a sense of good sportsmanship. We aspire to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate effectively as part of a team and compete appropriately against others, adhering to the principles of fairness and respect, values we hope to embed for future life.
Children are encouraged to consistently strive to give their best efforts at all times and achieve their potential and personal best. We want children to use self-evaluation to analyse their own learning and to look at ways of improving their performance. We recognise the ways in which our curriculum can support the development of physical confidence and helping pupils to manage both success and failure in activities.
We understand the importance PE and Physical Activity has on children’s general health, fitness and mental wellbeing. We provide opportunities for all children to be physically active for sustained periods of time and we teach children the importance of leading healthy, active lives and making informed and appropriate lifestyle choices.
As well as the importance placed on PE lessons, we also have a wider curriculum offer which includes the opportunities for pupils to take part in extra-curricular sports and activity clubs and competitions.
Swimming is an important life skill and we aspire for all children to leave primary school being able to swim at least 25 metres.
Implementation
Lime Walk Primary School has a specialist PE teacher with the responsibility of leading the subject throughout the school. Each class has access to two hours of high quality physical education every week with lessons either taught by the PE lead, a qualified sports coach and the class teachers. Children cover two sporting activities every half term. The Long Term PE Curriculum Overview sets out the PE Units/Activities which are to be taught each half term throughout the year.
The PE curriculum is taught through the use of the PE Hub and Twinkl Move, in-line with the aims of the National Curriculum. These aims ensure that:
- Pupils will develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities.
- They are physically active for sustained periods of time.
- Children engage in competitive sports and activities.
- They lead healthy, active lives.
The schemes and resources are used to aid teaching staff in their subject knowledge and planning of PE. Teachers are able to adjust and change lessons to suit the needs of their classes but the scheme provides a strong basis of what is expected in each year group. The emphasis of our PE curriculum is inclusion for all children regardless of sporting ability. We provide suitable learning opportunities for all children, including those with SEND.
All children complete a unit at the start of the year that focuses on the fundamental skills – run, jump, throw, coordinate, catch, kick and strike. The aim of the unit is to develop and assess how well children can complete these skills. The basic skills of running, jumping, throwing and catching are taught in isolation and in combination with a range of PE activities and smaller group activities.
In every year group, children play competitive games and learn to apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending. Games are usually conditioned to facilitate the practice of skills being taught. Children develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance through multi-skills, dance, gymnastics and athletics. Children also develop their leadership and communication through outdoor and adventurous activities.
Year 5 pupils receive weekly swimming lessons with the aim that by the end of Year 5 all children are able to swim a minimum of 25m unassisted. These lessons run throughout the whole year but alternate between lessons, giving the children the opportunity to take part in other sports throughout the year too.
We offer a wide range of sporting after-school clubs, these are run by teaching staff. The activities change every term to cater to a range of abilities and preferences. Clubs run each day after school. A range of inter and intra events also run throughout the school year, giving children opportunities to take part in competitive sports. These opportunities are organised through our local School Games Network as well as other leagues and local schools and sports clubs. Children also take part in inter-house competitions that are organised by the PE lead.
We hold an annual Sports Day where every child competes in an event for their team. The emphasis on participation and achievement for all. This event allows parents and guardians to support their child. To maximise opportunities for children to hold positions of responsibility, year 6 students assist as sports leaders in the running of the event.
We also offer a residential OAA experience for children in year 6.
Impact
At Lime Walk Primary School, we ensure that our PE curriculum is inclusive and progressive and allows all children the opportunity to acquire and develop fundamental knowledge, understanding, skills and techniques and apply these to a wide variety of different sports and activities.
EYFS
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin to improve their movement skills. Teachers begin to develop their agility, balance and coordination.
Key stage 1
Pupils develop their movement skills. They extend their agility, balance and coordination. They engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities. These include games, dance and gymnastics.
Key stage 2
Pupils continue to apply and develop a broader range of skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching. They use these skills in competitive games and performances. They also evaluate their own and others’ work. Pupils communicate and collaborate with each other. They learn how to improve in physical activities. There are chances for children to take part in competitions in school and against other schools. We celebrate their successes.
PE lessons are fun, enjoyable and challenging and all children can achieve, to the best of their ability, in a supportive, safe and stimulating environment.
Children understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle and understand the importance of regular exercise and activity for their physical and mental wellbeing.
We aspire for all children to enjoy PE and develop a love of sport and physical activity, which hopefully becomes part of their future life outside of Primary School.