Intent

At Isle of Ely Primary School we aim to ensure our Physical Education curriculum is fully inclusive of every child, empowering each one to enjoy and experience success in the subject in order to develop confidence towards Physical Education and have a positive impact on their future well-being.

Our Physical Education curriculum seeks to ensure that every child becomes physically and mentally skilled in all areas, such as dance, gymnastics and games as they progress through school.

We support children to recognise the importance of Physical Education in developing healthy, active lifestyles and enabling them to become active citizens in their local community. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect. In turn, children develop their ability to work both independently and collaboratively preparing them for the wider community and adult life.

We inspire children to be ambitious with their learning and to appreciate the opportunities Physical Education can bring. Extra-curricular clubs are organised effectively to allow an increase in participation in physical activity and sport. Due to these, children are introduced to new sports and clubs outside of our school day, which means that they play an active part in our local community.

Implementation

Teachers and external providers reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in Physical Education at least twice a week. Children are given the opportunity on a weekly basis to achieve additional physical activity in a range of different activities for example lunch clubs and the daily mile. The large majority of children progress through the curriculum content at the same pace. Differentiation is achieved by emphasising deep knowledge and through individual support. Lessons are planned and sequenced into small units so that knowledge is taught in relation to all of our children’s cognitive loads and is built cumulatively over time.

To ensure whole consistency and progression, the school uses the Get Set 4 PE Scheme of Physical Education which is fully aligned with the 2014 National Curriculum. This ensures that there is a detailed, structured curriculum mapped out across all phases, ensuring continuity and supporting progressive learning. We also work with trained P.E. specialist teachers from Premier Education who teach one P.E. lesson in each class, each week as well as organising and running games and activities each lunch time.

Early Year Foundation Stage Curriculum

Physical Education in Reception aims to develop the three prime areas of learning with regards to the Early Year Foundation Stage Curriculum. The three main areas include, Physical Development, Language and Communication along with Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

The key focus in all lessons is to develop the children’s fundamental skills, which include, balance, coordination and agility. Children are also taught how to travel into space using a range of speeds, how to control objects and how to use the resources safely. 

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1 we teach children to master basics skills, such as, running, jumping, throwing and catching and continue to develop the fundamental skills.  The children are able to develop these skills through a range of learning opportunities, both independently and with others. The children take part in small competitive games, with the aim of them developing tactics for attacking and defending. The children learn simple dance patterns and are encouraged to use their own creativity to link movements together. Children have the opportunity, through Improve It, to attend various events, such as, FUNdamentals, Circus Skills, Gymnastics and Get Active Festivals throughout Key Stage One.

Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2 we ensure that we continue to apply and develop a broad range of skills, with the children thinking about how they can adapt the skills in different ways. In line with the 2014 National Curriculum the children take part in competitive games, modified where necessary. Although the children take part in competitive games, we encourage them to evaluate their own learning. In order to develop individual’s flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance the children will take part in activities, such as, Athletics, Gymnastics and Pilates. Children will continue into Key Stage 2 having the opportunity, through Improve It, to attend various events, which are linked directly with the local and wider community. Children in Key Stage 2 will also participate in swimming lessons at the local swimming pool to develop their competence, confidence and proficiency at swimming by the time they leave Isle of Ely Primary. Children will learn and understand the importance of water safety, so that they can take their skills and knowledge into the wider community and adult life. 

All children here at Isle of Ely Primary School will have the opportunity to take part in a whole school sports day. They will work both independently and with others to participate in a range of different activities which all points will be collectively added together.

Impact

At the Isle of Ely Primary School, we envision our Physical Education curriculum impacting all pupils in the following ways:

  • By Year 6, children will have the ability to swim 25metres independently in a local swimming pool. The children will have a good understanding of water safety.
  • Children will extend their knowledge and understanding of a healthy lifestyle and will be exposed to a range of different physical activities throughout the school day to keep active. Participating in these will promote a positive attitude to both physical activities and to the skills that they have learnt through their participation.
  • Children will develop a good level of physical fitness, which will result in the ability to remain active for a sustained period of time.
  • When working independently and within a team, children will develop the knowledge of how to evaluate and improve both theirs and their team’s performances. Whilst showing respect for individuals, teams, officials and coaches.

Our Physical Education curriculum is tailored to impact greatly on our children’s ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to make appropriate choices about their physical and future well-being. We have embedded this through the use of the Cambridgeshire Scheme of Physical Education.