PE
INTRODUCTION
At St Paul’s, we recognise the value of Physical Education (P.E) to support the all-round development of our pupils as, in addition to developing physical skills, PE supports the child’s emotional, spiritual, social and moral development.
We follow the PE national curriculum whose aims are 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
INTENT
At St Paul’s, we aim to provide high-quality PE lessons that stimulate and excite our pupils allowing them to develop skills and creativity, and experience a joy of learning whilst establishing an understanding of our school values. Our PE curriculum allows pupils to experience a range of physical activities, helping them to develop their health, fitness and wellbeing and inspiring them to lead and maintain healthy, active lives. Through PE, we aim to develop pupil confidence and self-esteem allowing them to succeed and excel in a variety of physically-demanding activities. We aim to provide opportunities for pupils to compete in intra and inter school sport, providing them with positive experiences within a safe and supportive environment that motivate them, help develop their competence and confidence, and teach them about fair play, honesty and respect. Through PE, we want our children to adopt a positive mind-set and believe that, with determination and resilience, anything can be achieved.
IMPLEMENTATION
At St Paul’s, children are encouraged to participate in exercise through-out the day - during PE lessons, clubs, outdoor learning, lunch provision and special events.
All children are taught two PE lessons each week – one is taught by their class teacher and the other is delivered by a qualified sports coach. The school provides a varied programme of sports after-school clubs which provide further challenge and at lunchtimes, a qualified sports coach organises sports activities which are offered to all year groups. In addition, pupils compete in a variety of leagues and sports tournaments, playing matches against other schools in the borough and every year, all pupils participate in the school sports day. Special whole school sports events are organised to raise awareness of particular causes such as Sport Relief and UNICEF. For example, a UNICEF football day was organised, in conjunction with our local football club, Barnet FC, to support Soccer Aid.
EYFS: As part of the EYFS statutory framework, pupils are taught physical development; moving and handling; health and safe care.
Physical development
Opportunities are provided for young children to develop their strength, balance and co-ordination through activities which involve running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing.
Moving and handling
Opportunities are provided for children to demonstrate control and co-ordination in large and small spaces. They are shown how to move confidently whilst negotiating obstacles, taking consideration for the safety of themselves and others around them. They are given opportunities to handle equipment and tools.
Health and self-care
Children are taught the importance of physical exercise and a healthy diet, and opportunities are provided to talk about ways to keep healthy and safe.
In Key Stages 1 and 2, our PE curriculum covers six main themes: gymnastics, dance, games, athletics, swimming and outdoor and adventurous. The key knowledge and skills of each topic are mapped across each year group which ensures that continuity and progression are maintained across the school. Teachers plan lessons that build on previous learning and cater for individual needs to ensure that children gain experience of a variety of fundamental skills. Within lessons, children have equal opportunities to take part in a range of sports and physical activities at their own level within a safe, supportive environment where effort as well as success is recognised. Throughout the school, the ability to take the initiative and become excellent young leaders is encouraged. Opportunities are provided that allow children to organise and officiate activities; to evaluate their own and the performance of others and know what is required to improve. The opportunities provided lay a foundation for lifelong physical activity and allow children to leave primary school as physically active individuals.
Swimming
Pupils in Year 4 attend swimming lessons for one term. Lessons provide children with the skills required to be able to swim at least 25 metres before the end of Key Stage 2 and a knowledge of how to remain safe in and around water.
We enjoy good relationships with many local sports clubs and regularly benefit from free coaching sessions and participation in tournaments and festivals. Links have been made with Barnet FC, Saracens and Middlesex Cricket Club to name a few.
Knowledge and Skills Map
PE Curriculum overview with National Curriculum links
Subject Policy and Sports News Letters
IMPACT
We have a rich history of excelling in sports which we believe is the result of a whole-school sense of joy when taking part, either in a team or individually. In recent years we have had students who have gone on to become professional sports people and one student who has represented the country in the Paralympics. The school achieves well in a number of sporting activities and for many years, we have been awarded the Silver School Games Mark in recognition of our commitment to the development of competition across the school and within the community. Teachers and sports coaches complete assessments on completion of a unit of work and most children complete each key stage with a high proficiency in each aspect of PE. Throughout the school, children are increasingly aware of the link between physical activity and good mental health and understand it’s significance as part of a healthy lifestyle.
