Curriculum – PE

At St Leonard’s Primary School, Physical Education is an integral part of our curriculum and we strive to create a culture which aims to inspire an active generation to enjoy physical activity, encourage each other and achieve. We provide a safe and supportive environment for children to flourish in a range of different physical activities which is essential in supporting their physical, emotional, spiritual, social and moral development. We aspire for children to adopt a positive Growth Mindset and believe that anything can be achieved with determination and resilience. At St Leonard’s we offer a dynamic and varied program of activity to ensure that all children progress physically through a unique and fully inclusive PE curriculum.

Our curriculum aims to improve the well-being and fitness of all children, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines PE promotes. We aim to deliver high quality teaching and learning opportunities that enable all children to achieve their personal best. All children participate in competitive sport which can be against self and others. We aim for all children to be physically active for sustained periods of time and to be able to make informed decisions to lead healthy and active lives, thus, embedding life-long values. Swimming is an important life skill and we aspire for all children to leave primary school having met at least the minimum requirements of the National Curriculum.

In EYFS, PE is one of the Prime Areas of Learning and underpins the development of other skills such as reading, writing and attention. As such, it is given lots of focus and is encouraged using both the indoor and outdoor provision. Specific areas and resources have been developed for children to learn and practise specific skills including balancing, climbing, jumping, throwing and catching, kicking and moving in a range of ways. In the EYFS, children are introduced to the word ‘healthy’ and what this means. Children are given opportunities during their PE lessons and appropriate activities within provision to observe and discuss the physical effects that being active has on their bodies. They are encouraged to talk about how they link to ‘being healthy’. In addition to their weekly PE lesson, the children also take part in the Daily Mile each day.

In KS1, children are taught a variety of invasion games, dance or gymnastics. Children build on the fundamental skills taught in EYFS and aim to master basic skill movements such as running, throwing, jumping and catching as well as beginning to develop balance, agility and coordination. Children are introduced to team games as well as individual sports. Basic tactics are introduced to the children as well as competitive sports whether that be competing against other children, teams or themselves. In addition to their weekly PE lesson, the children also take part in the Daily Mile each day.

In KS2, children are also taught a variety of invasion games, dance, gymnastics, Swimming or outdoor activities. The children develop an understanding of how to improve, evaluate themselves and others and recognise their own success. There is a bigger focus in both competition against themselves or other children, with all year groups taking advantage of the competition events organised by the local authority and Trust. Children are also provided with swimming lessons to allow them to meet the objectives outlined in the National Curriculum.

PE is adapted when necessary to ensure it is fully inclusive and all children are engaged. Throughout KS1 and KS2, class teachers follow the PE National Curriculum. The aim of this is to see a clear progression of skills throughout their school journey. At the end of the year, there is a whole school Sports Day where all children and parents are invited in to support their children. St Leonard’s is currently working towards the Gold Standard in the Schools Games Mark. We also provide some after-school sports clubs.

Children leave St Leonard’s having a love of sport and physical activity both in and out of school, with this continuing into later life. Children will have worked on their own aspirations in relation to PE and this will be carried on after leaving KS2, with children continuing to participate for enjoyment or competitively.

All children should be able to discuss the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how this is achieved as well as developed skills that underpin life such as teamwork, sportsmanship, self-motivation, resilience and independence. We aim for all Year 6 pupils to leave school with the skills to competently swim at least 25m and are equipped to perform safe-self rescue in the water.