Curriculum Statement: Physical Education

Intent

At Gisburn Primary School, our Physical Education (PE) curriculum intends to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities that inspire all children to succeed in physical education and in developing life skills.  We want to teach children skills to keep them safe such as being able to swim.  We also 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.  Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at Gisburn Primary School, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines that PE promotes.  We believe that PE, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is essential to ensure children attain optimum physical and emotional development and good health. 

Implementation

PE at Gisburn Primary School provides challenging and enjoyable learning through a range of sporting activities including; invasion games, net & wall games, strike and field games, gymnastics, dance, swimming and outdoor & adventure.  PE is taught following the Lancashire PE Scheme of work, using the PE Passport App.  Pupils participate in two high quality PE lessons each week, covering two sporting disciplines every half term. 

The key knowledge and skills of each topic are mapped across each year group. The skills in these areas are also therefore 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.

Reception children will be taught the 5 fundamental movement skills catching, hopping, jumping, running fast and throwing. They will be taught this through topics such as Jack & the Beanstalk, the Hungry Caterpillar and Space.

As children enter KS1, children will carry out a baseline of Ten Fundamental Movement Skills. From this baseline, the PE curriculum will be adapted to address areas that children are less proficient in and up-level their progress. Over these two years, children will continue to develop their FMS. KS1 children will be taught the 10 fundamental skills catching, hopping, jumping, running, over arm throw, under arm throw, kicking, rolling, skipping and bouncing. The children will develop their knowledge of simple tactics in game activities and create simple sequences of movement in gymnastics and dance. At the end of KS1, the children will be assessed again, and the impact seen in their progress through the FMS. After which, this information will be shared with their Year 3 teachers.

KS2 children will continue to practice their 10 fundamental skills that have been integrated into each of their PE lessons. KS2 begin to learn skills to enable them to engage in competitive sports. They will develop a broad range of skills in dance, gymnastics, athletics, invasion games, net wall games, target games and striking and fielding. Upper KS2 will also learn the skill of orienteering and team building. The long term plan sets out the PE units which are to be taught throughout the year and ensures that the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met.  

In addition, there are various sporting activities that children are encouraged to participate in, including dodgeball, multi-sports, dance and running clubs.  Children are invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area through our involvement with the Hyndburn & Ribble Valley School Sports Partnership. 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 our Year 5 cohort are trained to become Sports leaders so that during their time in year 6, they have the opportunity to lead a variety of games and activities during play times and lunch times with the younger children.  

We encourage children to participate in a taster or a series of lessons to try different sports with outside agencies or providers such as multi-sports and Glo-dodgeball to give children an opportunity to try something new as well as to develop links to explore different sports further in the community.  

Swimming is statutory for all pupils, usually in Year 4/5. Catch-up swimming, for those who do not meet the expected standards, is then offered in Year 5/6 as appropriate.

All our pupils have a minimum of 2 hours of PE lessons every week.

Our pupils have access to 60 active minutes each day. This includes 45 - 55 minutes break time. We also offer after-school clubs that focus on sports and physical activities, providing additional opportunities for children to meet the 60-minute daily activity goal.

Our playground is well equipped which encourage active games. Pupils are provided with a wide range of playground equipment including balls, hoops and skipping ropes. We also have an adventure trim trail which are used in dry weather. A visit to our school at playtime will show our pupils engaged in 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 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. 

Impact

Assessment in PE is carried out through observation of children along with questioning throughout the lesson. We use the PE Passport App to record assessments along with photograph and video evidence. Core tasks are used to assess the application of this and end of topic assessments are made. Children's voice is also collected at the end of each topic.

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, many of whom also enjoy the success of competitive sports. We equip our children with the necessary skills and a love for sport. They will hopefully grow up to live happy and healthy lives utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through PE.