P.E.

“Intelligence and skills can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong."

— John F. Kennedy

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The school believes that physical education, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is vital and unique in its contribution to a pupil’s physical and emotional development and health. The broad and balanced P.E curriculum is intended to provide for pupils increasing self-confidence through an ability to manage themselves successfully in a variety of situations. A balance of individual, team, co-operative and competitive activities aims to cater for individual pupil’s needs and abilities.

Extra-curricular P.E. opportunities are on offer to pupils of all ages - some provided by staff, volunteers and some by outside agencies/companies. During the year all teaching staff offer a club after school. The children are given the opportunity to take part in a range of different sports such as football, multi-skills, cricket, athletics, circuits and gymnastics.

Older pupils compete in inter-school tournaments, leagues and competitions such as football, swimming, rugby and cross country.

Intra-school competition includes our annual sports days, where pupils compete against each other in their school teams and regular house matches.

 

The school uses the ‘Arena PE’ programme aimed at the children in Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. It focuses on the development of agility, balance and coordination, healthy competition and cooperative learning through a unique approach to teaching and learning in PE. Swimming is offered to all children from Y4-Y6, with lessons being provided by qualified swimming instructors and teaching staff.

Children are taught PE weekly by their class teacher following the Arena PE scheme of work. The curriculum is further enhanced by participation in the Helston Sports Partnership. Children from all year groups will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional or alternative sport which allows them to learn new skills which can then be applied in competitive sport.

Curriculum Planning

• Pupils will participate in high quality P.E. each week. In addition to this, we encourage regular movement breaks within the classroom setting as well as opportunities to do the ‘Daily Mile’.
• P.E. lessons follow a broad and balanced curriculum delivered in a safe and supportive environment, which covers all areas of the P.E. National Curriculum; Invasion Games, Net and Wall games, Striking and Fielding, Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming and Outdoor adventure activities.
• All lessons should be evaluated to inform planning and ensure differentiation.
• Swimming will be taught to Y4-Y6

Teaching and Learning

• Lessons are blocked in to ‘half-termly’ units of work to promote greater depth of understanding, developing of skills, contextual application of these skills and the ability to perform reflectively.
• Children will be presented with opportunities to be creative, competitive, co-operative and to face challenges as individuals and in small groups or teams. They will learn how to think in different ways to suit the different challenges. They will be given the opportunity of demonstrating their learning, using a range of communication styles, allowing for effective assessment.
• The curriculum plan and schemes of work will promote teaching and learning as it provides both continuity and progression. Each scheme of work specifies progression of skills, knowledge and understanding.
• Year 6 pupils will take part in a workshop which will develop their leadership skills which will be delivered by Helston Sports Partnership. These children will then have the opportunity to apply their new skills learnt and run sessions for KS1 pupils during break times and golden Time.

Differentiation

Physical education in the school will comply with the three basic principles for inclusion; set suitable learning challenges, respond to pupils’ diverse learning needs and strive to overcome potential barriers to learning.

• Some pupils may need specialist equipment and approaches or alternative/adapted activities, consistent with school-based intervention improved by advice and support from external specialists, or in exceptional circumstances, with a statement of special educational needs.
• Any classroom support provided must extend into physical education lessons as appropriate. Teachers and other adults working with the children will be made aware of any pupils who have special educational needs or medical conditions. The SENCO will liaise with staff to ensure all pupils’ needs are met in relation to teaching and learning in PE.

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study. At St Michael’s, we assess children’s demonstration of a skill and how it is applied to a sport. All children receive a broad and balanced PE curriculum. Because teachers plan PE with clear progression of skills and knowledge, every child will access all of the key areas of the subject.

Children will gain:

• The ability to acquire new knowledge and skills exceptionally well and develop an in-depth understanding of PE.
• The willingness to practise skills in a wide range of different activities and situations, alone, in small groups and in teams and to apply these skills in chosen activities to achieve exceptionally high levels of performance.
• High levels of physical fitness.
• A healthy lifestyle, achieved by eating sensibly and exercising regularly.
• The ability to remain physically active for sustained periods of time and an understanding of the importance of this in promoting long-term health and well-being.
• The ability to take the initiative and become excellent young leaders, organising and officiating, and evaluating what needs to be done to improve, and motivating and instilling excellent sporting attitudes in others.
• Exceptional levels of originality, imagination and creativity in their techniques, tactics and choreography, knowledge of how to improve their own and others’ performance and the ability to work independently for extended periods of time without the need of guidance or support.
• A keen interest in PE. A willingness to participate eagerly in every lesson, highly positive attitudes and the ability to make informed choices about engaging fully in extra-curricular sport.
• The ability to swim at least 25 metres before the end of Year 6 and knowledge of how to remain safe in and around water.