PE

Subject Leader: Callum Morris

Intent

At Little Bowden Primary School we believe all children should have access to a high-quality Physical Education, hence PE is an integral part of the whole school curriculum. We recognise the benefits high quality PE provision and school sport can give to all pupils. It ensures that all children develop their physical confidence in a way that promotes health and fitness regardless of their starting point. Our PE curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils develop physical literacy and the fundamental knowledge, understanding and skills to excel in a wide range of physical activities, by providing a broad & balanced curriculum with opportunities for all. Our PE curriculum contributes to healthy and active lifestyles; improves emotional well-being; and develops key skills such as: leadership, confidence, social and team building skills.

Implementation

Our PE curriculum is varied, and long-term plans ensure that we meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. All pupils receive at least two hours of high-quality PE: one lesson with a sports coach and the other with the class teacher supported by the sport coach, using the vast outside space or school hall. During these sessions, children receive coaching to develop fundamental skills through a variety of activities and games suitable to their key stage. Our PE curriculum is sequenced precisely to ensure progression of knowledge and skills throughout a child’s primary education, enabling children to build upon prior experiences and apply these fluently and with confidence. Children also have the opportunity to further explore these skills at break clubs, lunch clubs as well as before and after school sports clubs.
At Little Bowden, we endeavour to provide a broad range of activities based on children’s interests and catered to enrich their sporting life at school. Ensuring that children develop their sport further is an important element which the school encourages. Inter and intra sports competitions are planned throughout the year in partnership with the South Leicestershire School Sport Partnership. As an inclusive school, we encourage all children to enter competitions as it can be a vital tool to build confidence and self-esteem. Pupils start their journey in the Foundation Stage and begin to explore fundamental movements, body control and space orientation linked to their everyday tasks and daily routines. In KS1, they continue to explore wide range of skills, movement and develop team skills which will enable them to progress to more complex activities in KS2. in KS2 children take part in a range of invasion, striking & fielding, or net & wall games.
We promote imagination and creativity in gymnastics and dance as well as provide opportunities for 
athletics using both indoor and outdoor environments plus outdoor and adventurous activities. In Year 4 and Year 6, children go on a residential course for outdoor activities. Children also have swimming lessons in Year 4 and Year 5. Those children who need additional lessons to be competent swimmers, are given opportunities to swim in Year 6 as well. Physical Education is fundamental in developing healthy lifestyles in young people and we provide a wide array of opportunities to develop this and sporting skills outside of the normal curriculum time through our extra-curricular clubs. Playtimes are an important part of our pupils being happy, healthy, and ready to learn. We have 
well-staffed and equipped playgrounds, an AstroTurf pitch, two adventure playgrounds and an outdoor area specifically for the EYFS children where children are provided with opportunities for to develop and improve fundamental skills using various body parts.
To develop leadership and communication skills, children in Years 5 can apply to become a Sports Ambassador which is a responsible role in encouraging younger children to learn how to play collaborative games, respecting rules and to be as active as possible during playtimes. Children selected are positive role-models for younger members of the school, organising lunchtime games and assisting with annual sports days.

Impact

Children’s progress is monitored by using informal assessments such as observations, evaluating work and questioning children to identify what they have understood. Further evidence is gained through a demonstration of the skills at the beginning of units to show what the pupils already know. Pupil voice also plays an essential role in measuring the impact of our PE curriculum across the school. Through pupil interviews, children can reflect on what they have learnt and its impact on their skill development and understanding of healthy lifestyles. These areas work together cohesively to evaluate standards in PE across the school. An analysis of the children taking part in competitions and extra-curricular activities is taken to monitor the impact that teaching the skills has on the children’s desire to develop them further.