Purpose of Study:

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for all pupils to become physically confident in a way, which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness, respect, resilience and tolerance.

Aims:

The national curriculum for physical education aims 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 Grange, we aim to develop a love of sport and physical activity in all children and inspire them to become resilient, lifelong active people when they leave KS2.  We believe that Physical Education (PE), experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is essential to ensure that children attain optimum physical and emotional development and good health.  We intend to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities that inspire all children, especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being (though carefully planned support and scaffolding) to succeed in physical education and in developing life skills. Our children will understand the importance of healthy competition and will be provided with the opportunity to challenge themselves against other children or themselves (personal best).  We also want to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others as part of an effective team, understanding the importance of fairness, respect and equity of play.  We want to embed the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle and the role that physical activity plays in achieving this, teaching children the skills to keep them safe (such as swimming) in a nurturing environment.  Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at Grange, not only through the skills taught to enable them to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities but through the underpinning values and disciplines PE promotes.

Implementation:

PE at Grange provides challenging and enjoyable learning through a range of sporting activities including invasion games, net & wall games, strike and field games, gymnastics, dance, swimming (Year 5) and outdoor & adventure.  The curriculum is taught through the use of the PE Hub, which is in-line with the National Curriculum, and is used to aid teaching staff in their subject knowledge and planning of PE. Class teachers follow the PE Progression of Skills Document. The aim of this is to see a clear progression of skills throughout a child’s school journey.  Teachers are able to adjust and adapt lessons to suit the needs of their classes ensuring it is fully inclusive (including those who are disadvantaged or those with SEND) and all children are engaged, but the scheme provides a strong basis of what is expected in each year group. 

Pupils participate in two high quality PE lessons each week (covering two sporting disciplines every half term), taught by the class teacher or a qualified sports coach.  Through the use of coaches, fun and innovative sessions are run that offer staff the chance to upskill their own practice. Each lesson, children are given the opportunity to practise skills in a variety of ways and each lesson builds upon the previous skills, following a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum so that pupils build knowledge and skills sequentially and cumulatively across the key stage meeting the aims of the National Curriculum whilst also allowing them time to embed it. Different skills are recapped throughout, and across, the years, each time they are being built upon, allowing children to know more and remember more.

In addition, children are encouraged to participate in the varied range of extra-curricular activities, and are also invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area enabling them to make links with the local community. These events also provide memorable opportunities for the them to apply their skills, developing teamwork and leadership abilities, as well as being very much enjoyed by the children.  This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also mental well-being.

Impact:

Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children, especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being (though carefully planned support and scaffolding) at Grange Junior School, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines that PE promotes. We help to motivate children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is both engaging and fun.  From our lessons and through strong links with PHSE our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness.  We equip our children with the necessary skills and a love of sport, with many enjoying the success of competitive sports both within and outside of the school environment.  Our children will hopefully grow up to live happy and healthy lives, utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through PE.

• Children will achieve age related expectations in PE;
• Children will enjoy sport and will seek additional extra-curricular activities both school and external to school related;
• Participation levels in PE will be 100%;
• Children will show a good understanding of healthy eating;
• Children will use fitness and sports to improve their physical and mental health throughout their lives.