PE

Intent

At St Dunstan’s RC Primary School, we are committed to providing a high-quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum that fosters a lifelong appreciation for physical activity and promotes the physical, emotional, and social well-being of all pupils.

We aim for our pupils to demonstrate determination and resilience to practise skills within a wide range of different activities and situations, both independently and collaboratively, and apply these skills to achieve improving levels of performance. Through both lessons and competitive opportunities, pupils learn the value of team-work, resilience and mutual respect. We aspire for pupils to develop a positive mind-set and a desire to achieve their personal goals as well as those of their team.

They develop the ability to take the initiative, lead, organise, officiate and instil good sporting attitudes in themselves and others.

Our pupils’ ability to remain physically active for sustained periods of time is encouraged. Pupils discover the importance of exercise in promoting long-term health and emotional well-being.

Pupils continue swimming lessons until they demonstrate the ability to swim at least 25m, and know how to remain safe in and around water.

Through this intent, our pupils are inspired to lead a physically fit and healthy lifestyle, and recognise the lifelong benefits to themselves.

Our intent is to:

Deliver a Broad and Balanced Curriculum: We aim to implement a rich and varied PE curriculum that covers a wide range of sports and physical activities, emphasising the importance of gaining knowledge and skills in diverse areas, including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, and outdoor activities.
Promote Physical Literacy: We strive to develop our pupils' physical literacy, enabling them to develop confidence and competence when engaging in physical activities. Our focus on fundamental movement skills ensures that all pupils can participate in and enjoy physically demanding experiences.
Encourage Healthy Lifestyles: Through our PE programme and our PSHE curriculum, we emphasise the significance of healthy lifestyles and the role of regular physical activity in contributing to overall health and well-being. We aim to educate our pupils about making informed lifestyle choices.
Foster Inclusivity and Participation: We seek to create an inclusive PE environment where every pupil, regardless of their ability, feels valued and encouraged to participate. We celebrate individual achievements and promote teamwork and cooperation.

Implementation

Pupils have two, one-hour P.E. lessons every week and are taught progressively across the year groups, so that children achieve depth in their learning.

To deliver our PE curriculum effectively, we employ a clear strategy that includes:

Curriculum Design: Our PE curriculum is designed in accordance with the National Curriculum, focusing on developing skills progressively through carefully planned units that build upon prior learning. We provide opportunities for pupils to apply their knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts. We use the Get Set 4 PE scheme of work planning tool to plan and deliver sessions and ensure all domains of knowledge are addressed.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance which aims for all children in reception to understand health and self-care and have developed their movement and handling skills by the end of the academic year.

Assessment for Learning: We employ a robust system for assessing pupil progress in PE. We utilise formative assessments, self-assessment, and peer assessments to foster accountability and reflection among pupils. Outcomes of P.E. units are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a good understanding of the curriculum area. Assessment opportunities are identified within each lesson to review children’s understanding and interpretation of their learning. As pupils progress through each unit of work, thekey concepts will be explored and revisited to develop pupils’ substantive and disciplinary knowledge, skills and competence in physical education.
Extracurricular Opportunities: We offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs that encourage pupils to engage in physical activity beyond the classroom. These complement our curriculum and allow for improved skill development in a less formal environment. Experiences and opportunities to develop fundamental movement skills encourage children to live active lifestyles and to become happy, healthy children. To enhance our provision, the sports premium funding is used to ensure our pupils have access to high quality sports and P.E. We offer extra-curricular clubs and regularly take part in sport events and competitions.

Inclusion: All children have access to the P.E. curriculum through activities, resources and equipment being tailored appropriately for children with SEND. Children learn through similar activities, with final outcomes modified to suit all needs.

Promoting Values through Sport: We embed core values such as respect, teamwork, resilience, and fairness into our PE lessons. We strive to cultivate these values, using sport as a medium to promote good character and positive behaviour both in and out of school.

Impact

The impact of our outstanding PE programme can be evidenced through:

High Levels of Engagement: Pupil participation rates in PE lessons and extracurricular sports activities are consistently high. Feedback from pupils indicates that they enjoy their PE lessons and understand the importance of being active.
Enhanced Social Skills and Teamwork: Our pupils demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and cohesion within teams, fostering friendships and collaboration that extend beyond PE. They exhibit respect and sportsmanship during competitive events.
Positive Attitudes Towards Learning: Pupils' attitudes towards physical activity and learning are overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to continue participating in sports beyond their time at primary school.

In conclusion, our Physical Education curriculum is designed to empower pupils, instil confidence, promote healthy lifestyles, and equip them with essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. We remain committed to continually reviewing and improving our PE programme to meet the evolving needs of our pupils.