AIMS

The national curriculum for physical education aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.

TEACHING METHODS

At Wateringbury, our curriculum is informed by the National Curriculum and we use Val Sabin schemes of work to ensure we have good progression in skills.

Typically, children will have two lessons of physical education a week, one in the hall and one outside. Teachers aim to keep children as active as possible throughout their lesson, whilst developing the skills in focus. We want children to develop enjoyment of physical activity, so that it becomes part of their lifestyle, now and in the future.

Lessons will always begin with a warm up to ensure children are prepared for the activity ahead. Teachers will then introduce or revise a skill, which children practise and consolidate either independently or in small groups. Finally, children are organised to play small sided competitive games or activities.

To ensure children become competent swimmers, each year in KS2, children have a block of swimming lessons from a qualified swimming instructor at our local swimming pool.

HOW CHILDREN LEARN IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PE threshold concepts:

• Develop practical skills in order to participate, compete and lead a healthy lifestyle.
• This concept involves learning a range of physical movements and sporting techniques.

Essential characteristics of Wateringbury athletes:

• 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, avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol 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.