Physical Education

Curriculum Intent: Physical Education

In response to our mixed-aged classes, our curriculum is implemented on a two-yearly programme (Cycle A and Cycle B). This ensures complete curriculum coverage for our pupils. As children progress throughout the school, they develop their knowledge and skills through a range of topics. By Year 6, all children will have followed our Curriculum Narrative pathway.

Characteristics of an athlete

The ability to acquire new knowledge and skills exceptionally well and develop an in-depth understanding of PE.
The willingness to practise skills in a wide range of different activities and situations, alone, in small groups and in teams and to apply these skills in chosen activities to achieve exceptionally high levels of performance.

High levels of physical fitness.

A healthy lifestyle, achieved by eating sensibly, avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol and exercising regularly.

The ability to remain physically active for sustained periods of time and an understanding of the importance of this in promoting long-term health and well-being.

The ability to take the initiative and become excellent young leaders, organising and officiating, and evaluating what needs to be done to improve, and motivating and instilling excellent sporting attitudes in others.

Exceptional levels of originality, imagination and creativity in their techniques, tactics and choreography, knowledge of how to improve their own and others’ performance and the ability to work independently for extended periods of time without the need of guidance or support.

A keen interest in PE. A willingness to participate eagerly in every lesson, highly positive attitudes and the ability to make informed choices about engaging fully in extra-curricular sport.

Implementation

In order to develop practical skills in order to participate, compete and lead a healthy lifestyle, all pupils have two P.E. sessions each week. The key knowledge and skills of each topic are mapped progressively across each year group. This ensures that children develop their knowledge of the following areas

Games
Dance
Gymnastics
Swimming
Athletics
Outdoor and Adventurous Activities

The skills in these areas are developed systematically, with the programme of study for each year group building on previous learning and preparing for subsequent years. Knowledge and skills are informed and linked to enable achievement of key stage end points, as informed by the 2014 National Curriculum.

Please see our PE Curriculum phases overview which shows the accumulation of knowledge and skills from EYFS to 6.

Extra-curricular provision also provides further challenge and access to a range of physical activity. All children have the opportunity to participate in PE at their own level of development, with teachers ensuring that lessons cater for individual needs. As well as securing and building on a range of skills, children develop knowledge of the basic rules of a range of games and activities. They experience positive competition and a strong focus is placed on developing good sporting attitudes. Children learn in a safe environment and have a foundation for lifelong physical activity, leaving primary school as physically active individuals.

Vocabulary

The promotion of a language rich Physical Education curriculum is essential to the successful acquisition of knowledge and understanding in maintaining a healthy physical lifestyle. Children have access to key knowledge, language and meanings to understand Physical Education and to use these skills across the curriculum.

Our Physical Education document identifies key vocabulary to be taught from Reception to Year 6. These words are part of a whole host of work aimed at narrowing the vocabulary gap for our children. As a school, we aim to expose all children to a broad range of vocabulary and provide them with the skills to use and apply these.

Aspirations For The Future

Pupils develop an understanding of how subjects and specific skills are linked to future jobs. 

Here are some of the jobs you could aspire to do in the future as an athlete:

Physiotherapist

Coach

Rock climbing instructor

Kit manager

A career in sport for example, an athlete.

Inspirational Figure

Impact

Assessment

Through the explicit teaching of the Physical Education skills, both teachers and pupils assess their learning continuously throughout the lesson. At the end of the unit, pupils are given the opportunity to reflect on their knowledge and understanding. Our assessment systems enable teachers to make informed judgements about the depth of their learning and the progress they have made over time.

Pupil Voice

I love taking part in exercise because it is fun. I feel proud when I play on the school football team.

Ashton (KS2)

I like gymnastics because I’m good at it and it makes me feel happy and confident.

Georgia (KS2)

I love going to Archery club, after school, because it’s fun and different to what we do during our P.E. lessons

Kacie (KS2)

I love football! We have a coach every day from the Foundation of Light which is helping me improve my skills in football

Tommy (KS2)

In our P.E. we did gymnastics and I really liked it. It helps to keep me fit.

Ben (KS1)

I love Sc.Out.Ed because we work outside.

Eden (KS1)

I like the chicken game. We run around and try not to let the fox catch us.

Arya (EYFS)

Snapshots

We are delighted to inform you that St Joseph’s is taking part in the Go Well “Heart Project” The aim of the “Heart Project” is to support children to be active. The programme lasts for 12 weeks.

Please find below some further information from the Go Well “Heart Project” team.

Congratulations on your child being selected to be part of the Go Well “Heart Project” – a physical activity “Secret Mission” research team encouraging everyone to be active. Your child has been tasked with testing out a series of challenges in two separate six week booklets using the equipment supplied in the HEART Project backpack. They will work through the pages, test out the challenges and use the stickers to show when they have finished their testing. Every three weeks they will receive an extra piece of equipment to test out. After six weeks there will be a second booklet with new activities to try. At the end of the project there will be a medal and certificate for all those pupils who have completed the research mission.

Go Well has been awarded funding from Durham County Council Public Health via a COVID recovery fund and the programme is being delivered on behalf of the Active 30 Durham Group to support young people and families, with a focus on physical activity and health and wellbeing during these unprecedented times. We hope your child and wider family enjoy taking part in the project!

Go Well and our school are extremely grateful to all of the funders for allowing us to take part in this project.