Physical Education (PE) at Shillington Lower School
Intent
Shillington Lower School believe that our PE curriculum should inspire all children to reach their full potential in competitive and physically-demanding sports and activities. We use our school values to deliver high quality learning that meet the needs of all children – diminishing barriers to learning where needed and making reasonable adjustments. A child’s journey starts in the EYFS, exploring movement and building upon skills that will support their progression through their school life. We believe that children should develop skills in collaboration, physical literacy, problem solving as well as an ability to work independently becoming overall mentally healthy and resilient individuals. In particular, our Physical Education curriculum should allow all children to develop their skills in agility, balance and coordination, within their ability and applying these skills to game based activities. Whilst learning the variety of skills required, our aim is for children to enjoy, excel and challenge themselves to greater heights and feel confident when taking part in physical education. We want to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others as part of an effective team, understanding fairness and equity of play to embed life-long values. As a school, we ensure that PE is experienced in a safe and supportive environment. Our fundamental belief, for all children, is to understand the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.
Implementation
- PE at Shillington Lower School provides challenging and enjoyable learning experiences, from learning fundamental movement skills to games based activities.
- During the summer term children from Reception – Year 4 take part in swimming sessions each week to develop their water confidence and enjoyment.
- The PE curriculum map and the use of Get Set 4 PE set out units which are to be taught throughout the year and ensures that the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. They are carefully sequenced to ensure the children build upon specific skills each year, understanding how to use them in different situations.
- The PE progression of skills document allows staff to plan effectively and accordingly, being able to see what skills the children can already perform and the goals they should achieve by the end of the year, ready for their next year group.
- Pupils participate in two high quality PE lessons each week, covering two skills or sporting disciplines every half term. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in the varied range of extra-curricular activities.
- Each half term, all children are provided with an extra PE lesson to support their fitness levels and deepen their understanding of a skill or sport. These sessions are delivered by Premier Sport, who also support our Year 3 & 4 Sports Ambassadors who develop into sporting role models for the younger children. Throughout the year, they deliver lunch time clubs to other children across year groups and assist with other sporting activities when required.
- Children are invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area or within our own school. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also mental well-being. These events also develop teamwork and leadership skills and are very much enjoyed by the children.
- Each year children participate in a Healthy Living Week where they can try something new, learn new sports and create a better understanding of why it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. The children will take part in a Sports Day and other competitive sports delivered by Premier Sports, often linked to a sporting event of the year, such as the Olympics.
- Year 4 children participate in an end of year residential covering a variety of new activities such as archery, outdoor adventure, high ropes and boat experiences.
- Each day, all children across the classes take part in Daily Fitness. This is carried out indoors or outdoors, usually using ‘Go Noodle’.
- PE specific vocabulary will be learnt from Reception, with key vocabulary being built upon in each year group. This vocabulary links to the language used in PE lessons, identified in the lessons plans used from Get Set 4 PE.
Impact
Our PE curriculum at Shillington Lower School is designed so that children are taught a variety of activities throughout their key stage and that there is a progression journey from EYFS to Year 4. Through quality teaching the children are motivated, engaged and find PE lessons fun. From our lessons, children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness, many of whom also enjoy the success of competitive sports. We prepare our children with the necessary skills they require to hopefully live a happy and healthy lifestyle, utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through PE. We believe that many children leave Shillington Lower School with a love of sport and feel confident when participating in it, using their school values when tackling new skills.