Our aim is to provide a PE curriculum that ensures all pupils achieve the aims of the National Curriculum through a broad, balanced and progressive approach. We use the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate as the framework to ensure the PE coverage emphasises the development of the whole pupil through the learner profiles. The fundamental skills taught in EYFS and KS1 are applied and developed further in KS2; pupils learn how to apply them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement.
As well as encouraging the children to be physically active, PE lessons also give the children opportunities to develop their communication skills, mindset and wellbeing, with regular exercise improving the area of the brain linked with learning and memory and helping to reduce anxiety. By encouraging the children to be active, we are supporting their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Children must understand how to take care of themselves both physically and mentally in order to be successful later in life. Providing the children with the opportunities to engage in different sports through PE lessons and after school clubs, encourages them to appreciate different sports and cultures which help them become global learners.
All children receive two hours of quality physical education per week. The range of sports, after school clubs and competitions the children have access to, allows them the opportunity to develop their confidence in attempting new challenges as well as developing character. The majority of PE is taught discreetly; however, some dance links can be made to our inquiries and some sections of PE can be linked with the science curriculum. Pupils acquire new knowledge and skills that are practised in a range of different activities. Pupils work towards a high level of fitness and can understand the health benefits this promotes their well-being and long-term health.
We encourage pupils to take leadership roles and use imagination and creativity in the techniques that they use. We enter inter- school competitions, both within Leigh Academies Trust and with other local primary schools, to allow the children opportunities to use the skills they have learnt in match situations. This also allows them to enjoy competing in sports and representing the school, as well as developing their confidence in the sports and knowledge of the skills and rules of the game.
During a PE lesson, children have fun, are enthusiastic and enjoy the tasks in order to develop fundamental skills which can then be applied when playing specific sports or transfer them to other lessons. We use immediate verbal feedback to allow children the opportunity to amend and develop their skills immediately within the lesson. The assessment milestones for each phase have been carefully mapped out and further broken down for each year group. This means that skills in PE are progressive and build year on year. Through this, pupils develop a breadth and depth of knowledge of the sports and fundamental skills required to develop balanced, healthy and active lives.