At our schools we endeavour to provide all pupils, irrespective of their academic or physical ability, the opportunity to discover their physical potential through a balanced programme of activities.
PE is primarily concerned with the development of the body through physical activity. At our schools we believe it holds the key to many other developmental aspects and aim to develop young people who:-
• Are committed
• Know and understand what they are trying to achieve
• Understand PE and sport as part of a healthy, active lifestyle
• Have the confidence to get involved in PE and sport
• Have the skill and control that they need to take part in PE and sport
• Willingly take part in a range of competitive, creative and challenge type activities
• Think about and make appropriate decisions for themselves
• Show a desire to improve and achieve in relation to their own abilities
• Have the stamina, flexibility and strength to keep going
• Enjoy PE, school and community sport
At Plympton St Marys, EYFS children have an hour of discrete PE each week and in KS1 an afternoon per week. At Old Priory all year groups will have two hours of PE a week. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in physical activity throughout the day at break times and participate in our varied range of extracurricular activities.
Teaching will consist of the following activities:-
• Fundamental skills
• Athletics (KS2 only)
• Dance
• Games
• Gymnastics (KS2 only)
• Swimming (KS2 only)
Outdoor and Adventurous activities will also be taught throughout the year through orienteering, problem solving and team building activities.
The PE curriculum is delivered using schemes of work from a variety of sources but predominantly REAL PE which provides the key fundamental skills. These have been designed to allow progression both within a unit of work and across a key stage, provision is related to attainment not age.
Children are invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area. 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. Year 5 and 6 children are invited to apply for various Sports Leaders roles for the school. They develop into sporting role models for the younger children, assisting with lunch-time clubs, our annual Sports day and any other Sporting activities. Children in Year 5 swim once a week for 10 weeks during the academic year. We provide top-up swimming using the Sports Premium funding for any pupils that are still unable to swim from Year 5 onwards.
We help motivate children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is engaging and fun. From our lessons, our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness. The impact for pupils of our PE curriculum is that:
Physical Education starts from birth, within the area of Physical Development in the Early Years Framework. Children will focus on their balance and different ways of movement, i.e. running, skipping, jumping etc as well as throwing, catching and kicking balls. In addition, they will be taught to hold and use tools, including pencils and scissors correctly. Children are taught to manage their self-care needs such as hygiene, toileting and dressing and undressing independently as well as recognising and making healthy choices linked to food choices and exercise and ways to stay safe. By the end of Reception, the aim is for children to show good co-ordination and control in both small and large movements, move confidently in a range of ways and handle equipment and tools effectively and manage their needs in a hygienic and healthy manner for the transition to Year One.