Physical Education Curriculum

At St Mary’s, we aim to give children the tools and understanding required to make a positive impact on their own physical health and well-being. Incorporating all aspects of the sunshine six, which include: Honesty, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Courage, Respect and Compassion, we want all children to experience a wide variety of sports and develop physical skills that will result in a life-long appreciation of physical fitness and mental wellbeing and enable positive physical life choices. PE will challenge and promote self-esteem through the development of physical confidence and problem solving in conjunction with Outdoor Education. It will teach children to cope with both success and failure in competitive, individual and team based physical activities and it can be used to express ideals and identities through expressive movement.

PE at St Mary’s is taught by a combination of class teachers, PE specialists and qualified sports coaches. Children have equal opportunities to take part in a range of sports and physical activities within a supportive environment where effort as well as success is recognised. Children are encouraged to participate in exercise through-out the day and during PE lessons, clubs, outdoor learning, lunch provision and special events, which include extra and intra-school competitions, festivals and sports days.

At St Mary’s C of E Primary school, the PE curriculum is structured to provide a range of sporting experiences, during which every child participates to develop their skills and learning through competitive, team and individual sports. Through our provision, children can find the sports in which they have a particular interest or flair for. Children with additional needs are provided with appropriate support to enable them to take part and gain confidence in skills, understanding and motivation. We teach through the guidance of the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

Children gain experience of a variety of fundamental skills during KS1, which has a focus on Multi-skills, including the development of agility, balance, co-ordination and fitness.  All children take part in individual skills, group skills and team games, using PE equipment appropriate for their age. During KS2, children have a series of structured swimming sessions.

PE is taught every week and games, skills and knowledge is mapped so that coverage and progression is planned for. PE planning is devised by class teachers using the plans and advice of our specialist PE teacher.