Physical Education

Intent

Through the teaching of Physical Education at St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy, and the range of free sport clubs that we offer, we aim to develop the children’s processes of collaboration, coordination, agility, balance spatial awareness, technical skill, fitness and general wellbeing and enjoyment. The ultimate goal of which is to enable the children to make informed choices and engender a love of physical activity which will stay with our youngsters throughout their lives and to promote physical positive attitudes towards hygiene, fitness and health. 

We provide children with exposure to a variety of different sporting disciplines, including swimming, dance, gymnastics and a wide range of net/ wall, striking and fielding and invasion games. We intend to provide the children with opportunities to take part in competitive sport and games in annual and half termly events inside and out of school and for them to compete with a sense of fair play, respect and sportsmanship. 

We believe that P.E. should give all of our children, regardless of ability, an enjoyable experience, which they will continue on into their adult lives. 

Implementation

The curriculum is led and overseen by the PE lead. As PE lead, a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration of good practice will contribute to the ongoing commitment to evolve and improve further. 

Our vision and intent for PE are implemented in the following ways: 

• St Matthew’s C of E Primary and Nursery Academy fully adheres to the aims of the National Curriculum for Physical Education to ensure 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 and lead healthy, active lives. 
• All pupils from Year 1 to 2 have at least 1hr and 45 minutes worth of planned physical exercise each week along with opportunities across the curriculum. Teachers plan and deliver lessons focussing on the development of the children’s fundamental movement skills (balance, agility, co-ordination, speed, running, jumping and catching). The teaching of lifestyle behaviours helps the children to understand what it means to be healthy and this embedded in the sequence of learning. 
• All pupils from Year 3 to 6 have at least 1hr and 45 minutes worth of planned physical exercise each week along with opportunities across the curriculum. Children in year 4*participate in 12 weeks of swimming lessons to enable them to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 meters. Pupils continue to apply and develop a broader range of skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching. These skills are incorporated into competitive games (invasion, net/wall, striking and fielding) in order to develop the application of learned skills and strategical awareness, performances using movement patterns and evaluations of their own and others’ work. Pupils communicate and collaborate with each other and develop an understanding of how to improve in physical activities. There are increasing opportunities across the year for children to take part in inter and intra school competitions, as well as festivals, where children’s successes in sports are celebrated. 
• The school has teams who take part in local competitions as well as represent the school at a regional and national level for example our current table tennis team. We also take part in wider opportunities such as a Year 6 residential. 
• The school’s sporting values of: determination, honesty, passion, respect, self-belief and teamwork are built into our teaching with one focus value each term. End of the year awards for these values are being introduced in 2020. These will be awarded at the end of a competitive, supportive and inclusive sports day. 
• PE is a vital part of the curriculum and promotes a healthy lifestyle for all of our children encouraging them to be alert and active. In the Spring Term a large percentage of the children take part in the Plymouth half marathon which is built up by the children running a mile each week. 
• Within sport sessions the children are increasingly exposed to repetition, relevance and realistic teaching. 

Impact

• Children able to enjoy the competitive nature of sport in a safe environment. 
• Children are positive about PE and sport and are able to discuss why it can play an important role in developing a healthy lifestyle. 
• All children experience success whatever their ability, and no matter who they are. 
• Children proficient in sport specific skills, strategic understanding, teamwork and evaluation. 
• Children understand the importance of aesthetics in dance and gymnastics. 
• Children have developed ability in ABCS – agility, balance, coordination and appropriate speed 
• Increased % of children take part in competitive sport organised through school and external to the school. 
• Children are able to talk about the sporting value of the term. 
• The school will progress through the school games mark and will achieve gold by 2022

Note on PE in EYFS

Physical Education starts from birth, within the area of Physical Development in the Early Years Framework. This area of learning is split into the two areas of Moving and handling and Health and self-care. Firstly, within Moving and handling the child will focus on their balance and different ways of movement, i.e. running, skipping, jumping etc as well as throwing, catching and kicking balls. Furthermore, this includes being able to hold and use tools, including pencils and scissors correctly. In addition, children are taught to manage their self-care needs such as hygiene, toileting and dressing and undressing independently as well as recognising and making healthy choices linked to food choices and exercise and ways to stay safe. By the end of Reception, the aim is for children to show good co-ordination and control in both small and large movements, move confidently in a range of ways and handle equipment and tools effectively and manage their needs in a hygienic and healthy manner for the transition to Year One.