Intent
Physical Education is an important part of the curriculum at Escomb Primary School. The Physical Education curriculum engages children in a variety of activities.
The key aims of physical education in the national curriculum is to ensure 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.
• Lead healthy, active lives.
Implementation
The main areas of our PE are based around six themes, delivered through QCA and Durham Core Tasks. Tasks are carefully chosen and planned sequentially to build on the previous year’s PE
coverage and to ensure children are Key Stage ready as they move through their education.
1. Dance – creating and performing formal and creative dance sequences
2. Games – a range of team games and sport activities developing skills and tactics in mini-games and applying their skills and competencies in more traditional sports and competitions
3. Gymnastics – developing the core skills of agility, balance and co-ordination; using these in creating and performing fluent sequences on the floor and apparatus
4. Swimming – this is a crucial element of the curriculum in PE and by maximising swimming lessons, we aim to allow children to leave primary school with the requirements set out in the National Curriculum.
5. Athletics – running, jumping and throwing activities
6. Outdoor and adventurous activities – more advanced activities including problem solving.
During PE lessons, children observe and promote the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour as individual participants, team members and as spectators.
Each class is timetabled for 2 hours PE per week, plus additional sporting opportunities at extra-curricular clubs. A programme is developed every year and all classes have the opportunity to attend an after-school club.
All classes take part in at least one class festival / event organised though our Education Enterprise SLA. We also take part in a number of Central Venue Leagues (CVL’s – one or two every term). We believe that all children should have the opportunity to become involved in competitive sport if they so wish, so therefore we have an inclusive policy where we try to give every child a chance to attend.
We also buy into Go Well – a sports partnership SLA which includes focused staff training with specialised coaching in lessons and with new resources, event days to introduce extra-curricular
sports and whole school initiatives as part of our Covid recovery strategy for example Team Up Kids. Team Up Kids is a comprehensive programme that explores how the brain parts and chemicals work within the brain. It encourages children to discover how to get the best out of their brain and this in turn helps them to feel happier and healthier.
Impact
Both mental and physical health is at the heart of our PE curriculum at Escomb Primary and, alongside the Science and PSHE curriculum, children will learn about healthy living and the need for good nutrition. At Escomb Primary, we aim to develop the necessary knowledge and skills in PE that can transfer into their further education and beyond to benefit their long-term health and wellbeing.
