Physical Education

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

At St Clare’s we teach about the importance of caring for our bodies and using them to honour God, we explain how physical education helps us to develop healthy habits and appreciate the gift of our physical abilities.

Catholic Social Teaching is integral to our whole curriculum. Here are some examples of where this can be seen in Physical Education:

Dignity of the Human Person – In learning PE, children become more aware of their own dignity and of the importance of taking care of their body and mind through physical activity. Furthermore, when competing, they are required to respect others and to acknowledge and celebrate their talent and skill. In undertaking team sports and competitions, children learn about the importance of participation and the need for everyone to contribute.

Solidarity and the Common Good – During PE sessions, children are taught to play both individual and team sports. This involves working together as a team for the common good of everyone involved.

Rights and Responsibilities – All children have the right to exercise and play sport. During sporting activities, pupils are reminded of their responsibility to ensure they are playing safely and fairly with their peers.

The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – We recognise the importance of children having access to extra curricular sporting opportunities for their health and wellbeing. We also recognise the cost this can generate. At St. Clare’s we offer a range of free after school sports clubs across the year so that all pupils have the opportunity to participate in extra – curricular sport.

Intent

At St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, we strive to develop in our pupils the skills and confidence necessary to partake in a variety of sports and enable them to achieve personal successes. We believe that Physical Education experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is essential to ensure children attain optimal physical and emotional development and good health. To enable all our pupils to lead a healthy lifestyle. We recognise the value of high-quality Physical Education and fully adhere to the aims of the PE National Curriculum to ensure that all children:

• develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• are physically active for sustained periods of time
• engage in competitive sports and activities
• lead healthy, active lives

We intend 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 independently.  We also want to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others as part of an effective team, understanding the fairness of play to embed life-long values. Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at St Clare’s, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines PE promotes.

In our St Clare’s Curriculum Map, we have identified milestones at various stages of a child’s journey within their education and in addition outlined the progression in skills in each area of PE and for each year group. This demonstrates how skills are developed, revisited, assessed and build upon from EYFS to Year 6.

Implementation

PE is taught in St Clare’s as an area of learning in its own right as well as integrated were possible with other curriculum areas. 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.

All pupils receive 2 hours of high quality PE per week. We teach lessons so that children:

• Learn in a safe environment
• Have fun and experience success in sport
• Have the opportunity to participate in PE at their own level of development
• Secure and build upon a range of skills
• Develop good sporting attitudes
• Understand basic rules
• Experience positive competition
• Embrace the spirit of the games values of; Passion, self- belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork.
• Have a foundation for lifelong physical activity, leaving primary school as physically active

The pupils of St Clare’s will be experience a wide range of sporting opportunities including:  invasion games, net & wall games, striking and fielding games, athletics, gymnastics, dance, swimming and outdoor & adventure during their PE lessons and also through our programme of extra-curricular activities. Pupils will also be provided with opportunities to participate in competitive sporting events within school and also within the local area against other primary schools. Such opportunities provide pupils with a platform to share and demonstrate their spirit of School Games values acquired and developed during their experience of PE and school sport.

Pupils in Years 1 to 6 will be given the opportunity to vote and to become Sports Councillors. Where they will be ambassadors for PE and school sport, attending meetings to discuss PE issues and promote healthy messages across the school community. 

Children in Years 4, 5 and 6 have a ten week block of swimming lessons throughout the academic year. Any child who is unable to swim the 25 metres at the end of Year 6 attend the Year 6 top up sessions over a 2-week period in the summer term.

In addition, all pupils will be invited to attend various ‘active’ educational trips throughout their time in St Clare’s and also invited to residential trips in KS2 which always include outdoor adventurous activities for the children to experience.

Each year a small group of children in KS2 are invited to become ‘playground leaders’ for younger children in the school. They build special relationships with the children and encourage them to participate in physical games that they set up at play times.

EYFS Physical Development is a prime area of learning. We plan opportunities to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children are also helped to understand the importance of physical activity. They learn to make healthy choices in relation to exercise and food. We aim to deliver this with a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities (see EYFS policy).

Impact

PE is taught as a basis for lifelong learning where we encourage children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is engaging and fun. Pupils have access to a wide range of activities in the belief that if taught well, the children are allowed to succeed then they will continue to lead physically active lifestyles. At St Clare’s we provide opportunities for children to become confident in a way that supports their physical, mental health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other physically demanding activities build character and help to embed values including; passion, self- belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork. They will hopefully grow up to live happy and healthy lives utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through PE.

Key Subject Documents

Policy