PE

At St Paul’s, our vision sets out that we strive for excellence, understanding, joy and faith. Our St Paul’s children get many opportunities to excel in sport and we use it consistently as a means of working with and understanding others. We strongly believe that it is critical to develop a healthy habit and enjoyment of sport as young as possible. Our curriculum is therefore broad and balanced, and we participate in many competitive opportunities to raise the profile of PE and sport within school – something that is well reflected in our bursting trophy cabinets!

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 knowledge that build over time.  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 learn that adaptability and resilience are key values to success in all areas of life, as well as on the sports field.

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 classes have two timetabled PE lessons each week.   The school provides a varied programme of P.E after-school clubs which provide further challenge and at lunchtimes, a qualified sports coach organises sports activities which are offered to all year groups.

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

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.

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. The opportunities provided lay a foundation for lifelong physical activity and allow children to leave primary school as physically active individuals.

Swimming

Pupils in Years 3 and 4 attend swimming lessons.  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, Tottenham Hotspurs, Saracens and Middlesex Cricket Club as well as England Netball.

IMPACT

Our children enjoy PE. They build skills with consistency across each unit as the curriculum is sequenced and offers opportunities to regularly practice each aspect. 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.  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN OUR PE CURRICULUM

St Paul's - PE in the Curriculum