Physical Education

Physical Education supports pupils’ physical development, wellbeing and enjoyment of active lifestyles. Children experience a range of activities that develop movement, coordination and control.

Physical Education (PE) Curriculum

At All Saints’, our PE curriculum enables pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to lead active, healthy and fulfilling lives. Through a broad and progressive programme of physical education, pupils develop fundamental movement skills, improve their fitness and learn the importance of regular physical activity. Our curriculum encourages every child to enjoy being active, challenge themselves and develop a lifelong love of sport and movement.

Our curriculum progressively develops physical skills, knowledge and understanding. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on, revisit and refine prior learning, developing increasing control, coordination, confidence and competence across a range of physical activities. Our school values and Christian ethos underpin our approach, promoting teamwork, respect, determination, fairness and resilience.

Pupils practise individual and team skills, learn to cooperate and compete fairly, and consider how activity contributes to health. Lessons encourage resilience, respect and responsible participation.

What pupils develop

Pupils develop a broad range of active skills, including running, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing, coordination and agility. They apply these skills across a variety of activities, including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor adventurous activities.

Pupils also develop an understanding of fitness and physical wellbeing. They learn how exercise benefits the body and mind, how to improve their stamina, strength, speed and flexibility, and why warming up, cooling down and practising safely are important. They develop an understanding of how regular physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Through individual and team activities, pupils learn to cooperate, communicate, solve problems and make decisions. They develop resilience by practising, responding to feedback and learning from both success and setbacks. Pupils are encouraged to recognise their own progress, celebrate the achievements of others and understand the importance of participation, effort and enjoyment.

Teaching and Learning

PE is taught through carefully sequenced units, with teachers explicitly teaching and modelling key movements, techniques, rules and tactics. Demonstration, explanation, questioning, guided practice and constructive feedback help pupils develop secure physical skills and apply them with increasing accuracy and confidence.

Pupils have opportunities to practise, refine and combine movements, apply skills in different contexts and evaluate their own and others’ performances. They learn to make tactical decisions, work collaboratively and adapt their approach to meet the demands of different activities.

Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to be physically active, develop fitness and understand how to exercise safely. Teachers encourage pupils to challenge themselves appropriately, persevere when learning new skills and recognise the benefits of regular movement for both physical and mental wellbeing.

 

Activities are sequenced so that fundamental movement skills develop into increasingly confident and purposeful performance.

Progression across the school

Learning progresses from developing fundamental movement skills and body control in the early years towards applying increasingly complex techniques, tactics and strategies across a wider range of sports and physical activities.

Pupils build confidence in moving, balancing, travelling and handling equipment before refining these skills through more challenging tasks and competitive situations. They develop greater awareness of space, speed, direction and control, alongside an increasing understanding of fitness, teamwork and performance.

All pupils are supported to access the same ambitious curriculum through clear demonstrations, appropriate scaffolding, adapted activities and suitable challenge. Learning is designed to enable every child to participate, make progress and experience success, regardless of their starting point or level of physical ability.

By the end of each key stage, pupils should be able to perform, refine, apply and evaluate a range of physical skills, demonstrate increasing fitness and understanding, and work confidently and safely with others.

Inclusion, Enrichment and Impact

Our PE curriculum promotes an inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to participate, develop their abilities and enjoy being active. Pupils learn the importance of fair play, respect, teamwork and determination, recognising that effort, improvement and cooperation are as important as winning.

Learning is enriched through sports clubs, competitions, sporting events and opportunities to represent the school. These experiences enable pupils to apply their skills in new contexts, develop confidence and experience the enjoyment and challenge of taking part in physical activity. Wider opportunities also encourage pupils to remain active beyond PE lessons and make positive choices about their health and fitness.

Teachers assess pupils’ progress through observation, questioning, practical activities and the evaluation of performance. This helps identify strengths, address difficulties and ensure that teaching supports pupils in developing their skills and understanding.

The impact of our curriculum is evident when pupils can retain and apply physical skills, demonstrate improved coordination and fitness, work effectively as part of a team and explain how physical activity supports a healthy lifestyle.

Ultimately, we want every child to leave All Saints’ with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead active, healthy and fulfilling lives. We want our pupils to enjoy movement, value physical fitness, challenge themselves and understand the importance of regular exercise. Through PE, we aim to nurture confident, resilient and respectful individuals who appreciate the benefits of being active and are motivated to participate in physical activity throughout their lives.