“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.”
Carol Welch
Physical Education is a statutory subject of the National Curriculum. At Fairhaven CE VA Primary School, Physical Education is taught as a discrete subject in Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2.
Intent
Fairhaven CE VA Primary recognises and values the importance of Physical Education (PE). We aim to develop positive attitudes to PE through the delivery of a fun, high-quality PE curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in all aspects of sport and other physically-demanding activities regardless of their ability. As a school we intend to provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports both their health and fitness. We also recognise that PE is key to supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, sharing the importance of exercise in our daily lives. Opportunities are also provided to compete in a range of sports and along with other activities, aim to build character, help to embed values such as fairness and respect and promote healthier lifestyles and lifelong values.
Implementation
Physical Education is provided through a broad and balanced curriculum of physical activities including gymnastics, dance, athletics, games, swimming and opportunities to explore other sports including Quidditch! We aim to provide two hours of curriculum PE a week, delivered by Class Teachers or qualified coaches, alongside the daily recommended 30 minutes of physical activity. The PE curriculum is taught through the use of the GetSet4PE, which is in-line with the National Curriculum and focuses on the importance of developing fundamental movement skills and applying these skills to games or activities. GetSet4PE uses progressive lesson plans which are then adapted by staff to suit all learner needs. Sharing of the lesson intent and ongoing assessment is evident in every lesson. Teachers can use interactive resources to support their teaching. Each lesson, children are given the opportunity to practise skills in a variety of ways which builds upon the previous skills, allowing them time to embed it. Different skills are recapped throughout, and across, the years, each time they are being built upon; allowing children to know more and remember more. Fairhaven CE VA Primary has a curriculum overviewwhich clearly sets out the units of physical activity covered across a school year. Sports tend to be taught during their season and have a direct link to future clubs and competitive opportunities. The expectation of ‘Being the best you can be’ is used so that all children can achieve in a lesson no matter what level of physical skills that they have. Throughout Key Stage 2, each child receives a term of swimming lessons each year (during spring and summer terms) with the aim that all children can swim a minimum of 25 metres unassisted as well as learning about water safety, vitally important for life near the Norfolk Broads. We are also proud to offer a number of extra-curricular clubs at Fairhaven at different points during the year including cross country multi-sports, football, hockey, netball and hockey which provide the opportunity for the children to participate in a range of activities and develop their skills further. We are strongly involved in both the Acle Cluster and Norwich East Schools Sports Partnership events which range from engagement to development and then competition which allows a greater range of children to participate. Teachers and coaching staff use their professional judgement to observe children over the period of a half term. Assessments are made in every lesson and used to judge and record PE levels on GetSet4PE at the end of each half term.
Impact
Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at Fairhaven CE VA Primary school not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines that PE promotes. It is hoped that physical education will light a love of sport and physical activity, so that our children will engage in extra-curricular sporting opportunities provided by the school and local clubs and agencies. Through our Physical Education curriculum, we believe we can equip children with skills in team building, promote physical and mental health and boost confidence and resilience. Children at Fairhaven CE VA Primary make good progress in PE and are eager to attend after school clubs and competitive sports events.
