PE

Physical Education Intent

Physical Education (PE) is a crucial element of school life and ultimately children’s future health and well-being. Therefore, the curriculum we provide at St James Primary School aims to foster a love of being active that lasts a lifetime. We recognise the importance of high quality PE, physical activity and sport and the part it plays in raising standards and narrowing achievement gaps. PE and school sport are important in giving children the knowledge, understanding and the tools to make a positive impact on their own health and well-being. Our strategy will aim to:

• Improve physical and mental health and well-being;
• Provide high quality opportunities and outcomes;
• Assist each individual to be the best they can be;
• Encourage community involvement and responsibility;
• Promote lifelong learning, active participation and competition;
• Raise achievement and support excellence;
• Ensure that all children receive 60 active minutes each day, of which 30 minutes should be in school.

Our PE lessons are delivered by a specialist PE/Sports Coach. We provide an inclusive, broad and balanced PE curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in sport (including completive sports) and other physically-demanding activities, whether that be through enhancing existing skills or acquiring new skills.

We aim for:

• children to leave St James with a positive relationship towards physical health, activity and personal wellbeing;
• children to develop their understanding of competition, including: fair play, sportsmanship, team work, passion and playing within the rules;
• children to have a sound knowledge of the basic skills needed to access specific sports;
• children to use physical education to develop themselves holistically - mentally, personally, physically and socially.

We support all children in reaching their full potential within a secure and caring environment. Our core values, ‘care, share, achieve and believe’ underpin teaching and learning in all lessons.

Implementation

PE at St James is taught by a Specialist Sports Coach.

The curriculum for Key Stage 1 focuses on the development of fundamental movement skills, becoming increasingly competent and confident and improving agility, balance and co-ordination, individually and with others. Children are taught through a range of areas including fundamentals, dance, gymnastics, ball skills, team building and invasion games. 

The curriculum for Key Stage 2 focuses on developing a broader range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement. Pupils will enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other. They will be able to evaluate their own and other’s performances and give appropriate feedback. Children are taught through a range of sporting activities including tennis, dance, gymnastics, football, netball, rounders and swimming (Year 5/6).

All pupils enjoy two hours of PE each week which is supplemented by scheduled Daily Mile, structured lunchtime games and extra-curricular activities. Pupils in Key Stage 2 enjoy taking part in inter-school sporting events such as football matches, swimming galas and athletics competitions; our school has a history of successes here.