Physical Education
“Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading because health is worth even more than learning.” Thomas Jefferson
Subject Leader: Mr M Nicholls
Rationale: Purpose of Study (taken from the National Curriculum)
A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.
Intent
Physical Education (PE) at Nanpean School gives children the knowledge and understanding in order to become competent, confident and motivated in PE for the rest of their life. The curriculum is planned progressively to allow children to build on and develop previously learnt skills and to enhance these further, whilst providing them with a strong platform to continue their PE studies at the next stage of their education. A variety of sports are taught as well as healthy eating, nutrition and wellbeing sessions via our wider curriculum. We believe that nothing should be a barrier to Physical Education with all activities having the capacity to be adapted and made fully inclusive. Our Knowledge Organiser documents ensure children learn facts, knowledge and skills related to the relevant unit of physical activity.
Implementation
We follow the breadth of the programmes of study of the National Curriculum for Physical Education. All children take part in two PE lessons every week, either indoors or outdoors and using a wide variety of equipment. Lessons are taught by the Class Teacher using ‘The PE Hub’ as a basis for our planning, and Teachers encourage, reassure and support children during every PE lesson to develop resilience, determination and confidence to succeed.
We implement a stimulating curriculum encompassing a wide range of activities, integrating popular games and activities along with some more unfamiliar sports. During lessons, there is a focus on the teaching of skills, mini games to apply these skills, and this can lead on to full matches, all of which helps children to develop an understanding of rules and sportsmanship.
Our PE curriculum also places an importance on promoting resilience, teamwork, sportsmanship and a desire to always achieve your best. These transferrable skills are pertinent to almost every possible profession and stand our pupils in good stead to achieve an aspirational career.
When appropriate, specialist sports coaches from local clubs work with staff and children at Nanpean School to provide opportunities to children and CPD for staff. These links with local clubs and organisations also ensures our PE and Sport offer is deeply rooted within our local community. Examples from 2023-24 include Rob Mennear Dance, Roche Cricket Club and Cornish Pirates Rugby coaches who have supported teaching and learning.
Extra-Curricular offer
Outside of timetabled PE lessons, there are frequent times during the week where children are physically active, including active lessons, outdoor learning, playtimes and lunchtimes, and after school clubs, of which a variety are offered, including at least one linked to PE/Sport each day. Our outdoor environment provides an excellent space for children to practise their sporting skills and foster a love of being active. We also provide our Year 5 and 6 children with an opportunity to gain a Level 1 certificate in sailing, through links with the Roseland Youth Sailing Trust and Polkerris Beach.
Children have opportunities to attend PE / Sport related events throughout the year and represent Nanpean at sporting competitions. Our School takes a leading role (our Headteacher and PE Lead Mr Nicholls and Sports Coach Mr Harwood) in organising cluster-wide events and we also occasionally host opportunities for talented children.
Impact
- Internal Pupil Conferencing (Headteacher / PE Leader) and Pupil Conferencing during a Subject Review by the TPAT Curriculum link in 2023-24 has shown that 95% of our children say they enjoy PE lessons and sports related activities, and are also aware of the link between physical activity and wellbeing.
- Learning Objectives defined by the Subject Leader have in-built assessment tasks which are used by Teachers to measure children’s progress against objectives linked to the National Curriculum.
- Children’s successes in Physical Education and Sport both inside and outside of school are celebrated during our Achievement Assembly and rewarded using our Sports Star of Week, Players of the Match awards and Class Dojo Points, whilst successes are shared on our school’s social media platforms. Children talked positively about this during Pupil Conferencing (Headteacher / PE Leader) and Pupil Conferencing during a Subject Review by the TPAT Curriculum link in 2023-24.
- Pupil Conferencing during the Subject Review with the TPAT Curriculum link (2023-24) identified that children are not as confident at defining vocabulary in PE as in other subjects. The main reason for this was quickly identified by the Subject Leader and staff were reminded to explain vocabulary at the beginning of a lesson (using the resources provided by the Subject Leader instead of those from The PE Hub) and also when appropriate (further strategies shared by Subject Leader) during a lesson. The impact of this will be monitored in the next monitoring cycle.
- Informal observations of play / lunchtimes showed that children are generally more active and involved in a physical activity, using equipment provided. Staff have also noted that Girls are more active, and this has also been evident in attendance at after school clubs during 2023-24 as there has been an increase in girls’ attendance.
SEND
Our PE Curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. We recognise that all children have diverse abilities and ensure that all lessons include scaffolding and appropriate adaptations to promote an inclusive approach, which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also wellbeing. We regularly give our children the opportunity to coach their peers and support the running of events for younger children; this gives confidence, self-belief and determination.
British Values
At Nanpean School, British Values are promoted by the PE Curriculum in the following ways, while we also learn about British Values at other specific times, such as during Collective Worship opportunities (Assemblies).
Democracy - Children work individually and in teams to make informed choices and through this learn about different roles including being a leader and a team player. As a result, they learn about socially acceptable behaviour through PE.
Rule of Law - Children understand the need for rules (in PE games / sports), and adhere to and develop them for activities, including those which are competitive.
Individual Liberty – During PE, children are able to make judgements about their own and others’ performances. Children respect individual differences and are confident to express their opinions and respect the views of others.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance – Children know, understand and are able to articulate different styles of Dance, for example, and the historical aspects of various activities whilst avoiding stereotyping groups. Children respect PE equipment, the school facilities and other venues at off-site events. Children can access competition within and outside of the school and demonstrate appropriate behaviour and regard for rules and regulations.
At Nanpean School we have three themes in PE shown in the table below:
During PE, children sometimes will comment on if decisions made by players in relation to rules in games were morally correct. Children also have frequent opportunities to develop socially through collaborative and team working activities. Children are also encouraged, when appropriate, to gain an understanding of cultures and how this can sometimes relate to physical or sporting activities.
How you can help your child at home
Why not go for a walk, bike ride, run or take part in an obstacle course or exercise session (in person or virtually) as a family? This would be social time as well as having a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing.
Facilitate discussions with your child in relation to their PE learning (see the Overview document which is one of the attachment links above). You could also discuss with your child the important skills they are learning in the different areas of PE, as well as famous people from different sporting areas and rules of different sports games, all of which would supplement your child’s learning.
The following websites could also be used to support your child:
https://peplanning.org.uk/7-pe-activities-that-are-easy-at-home/
https://www.youthsporttrust.org/free-resources-list/school-support-free-resources-list/primary-pe-activities (free resource can be downloaded, please ask at school if you would like a printed version of the downloadable resources)