James Watt Primary School

Intent

At James Watt Primary, we recognise that physical activity and sport are essential parts of a child’s everyday life and are a key factor in their future well-being. We want every child to find enjoyment in physical activity and aim to provide them with a wide range of opportunities so that they can discover the right kind of activity for themselves and experience the benefits that an active lifestyle can provide. We aim to present them with opportunities to compete against themselves and others, work in partnerships and teams, build self-confidence and perseverance and the real sense of achievement that this particular aspect of a child’s education can provide. A key part of this will be to engage their enthusiasm and provide them with the necessary skills and experiences in order for them to be in the best position possible to further engage in physical activity and sporting opportunities as their educational and life journey continues beyond this establishment. Our aim is to prepare and support pupils towards healthy and active lifestyle choices for their future mental and physical well-being.

A key part of our aim is to provide the children with a broad and balanced curriculum within physical education and to provide the opportunities for the children to play in festivals and compete over a wide range of events. In doing so, we aim to teach the children to follow the conventions of fair play.

The aims of Physical Education (PE) at our school are that all children:

• adopt an active lifestyle and understand the benefits it provides
• develop a range of sporting skills across the national curriculum, including swimming
• are physically active for sustained periods of time
• engage in a range of competitive sports and activities
• lead healthy, active lives
• understand the importance and effect of exercise and being healthy
• develop a sense of fair play and a sporting attitude
• enjoy sporting activities and have fun, developing resilience and perseverance

Inclusion

At James Watt Primary School we are committed to ensuring that all pupils access and participate in a broad and balanced PE curriculum. This is done through careful lesson planning and differentiation to make sure that all children, including those who have special educational needs, disabilities, English as an additional language or those who are gifted and talented are included and engaged.

British Values is defined by the Department for Education as:

• Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
• Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies to England
• Support for equality of opportunity for all
• Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
• Respect for and tolerance of difference faiths and religious and other beliefs

At James Watt Primary School, we ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and permeate the ethos and work of the school. The curriculum provides a vehicle for furthering and deepening an understanding of these concepts.

We actively encourage the children at our school to be unique, creative, independent and open-minded individuals who respect themselves and others in our school, the local community and across the wider world.

Our aim is to nurture our children on their journey through primary school so that they can grow into caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who can, and will make, a positive difference to society across Britain and the world.

Implementation

At James Watt Primary School PE is taught weekly, within Key stages 1 and 2, where a positive attitude to PE is created and expectations reinforced that all children can achieve success in PE.  The subject is delivered by sport coaches, Mr Williamson and Mr Dawson

We teach lessons so that children:

• have fun and enjoy PE and being active
• learn, practice and secure a range of skills and tactics
• experience success and gain self-confidence
• develop good sporting attitudes
• understand basic rules and keep to them
• experience positive competition
• learn in a safe environment
• have a foundation for life-long physical activity, leaving primary school as physically active

Our Long-Term Curriculum Plan identifies the breadth and depth of the activities delivered across the school to ensure coverage of the National Curriculum and to allow the children to experience a wide range of sporting and active opportunities. Additionally, within KS1 and KS2 core tasks are a key part of the learning process, ensuring children are given the opportunity to practise skills and build on from previous learning experiences.

EYFS

We recognise the importance of physical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage as a key area of learning. There are two strands under Physical Development: Moving and Handling and Health and Self-care

Children in the EYFS access time and space to enjoy energetic play daily in the outdoor learning area. The children also access specific physical development through timetabled PE lessons in Reception (in preparation for Year 1) which give the children the opportunity to learn and practice fundamental movement skills. They participate in activities where they can practice moving in different ways and at different speeds; balancing; rolling; throwing balls and bean bags; catching and kicking.

KS1

Within Key Stage one, children develop their fundamental movement skills through a range of activities and opportunities, where children work individually in pairs or in groups. We cover key aspects such as gymnastics, dance, games and athletics. We follow the National Curriculum for P.E. in Key Stage 1.

When children leave Key Stage 1 we expect them to be able to:

• master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities
• participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending
• perform dances using simple movement patterns.

KS2

We follow the National Curriculum for P.E. within Key Stage 2. Children continue to apply and develop a range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movements. They continue to use the skills individually but also develop cooperation through games. This will include a further focus on choices and tactics within a game. We explore a wide range of sports and activities such as dance, gymnastics, athletics, O.A.A. and a range of games skills. Children also learn to swim while in Key Stage 2.

When children leave Key Stage 2 we expect them to be able to:

• use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
• play competitive games, modified where appropriate, and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending
• develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
• perform dances using a range of movement patterns
• take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team
• compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.

In addition, we have the key swimming targets:

• swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
• use a range of strokes effectively
• perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

Differentiation

Planning for differentiation is based on the S.T.E.P. principles i.e. making changes to SPACE, TASK/TIME, EQUIPMENT and PEOPLE taking account of:

• The size of the area in which a pupil works, smaller spaces until pupils develop spatial awareness and control over themselves and equipment, larger spaces to challenge more able pupils.
• Pupil activity, e.g. different task, different roles and responsibilities, different allocations of time and variations of pace within the lesson to meet needs of different levels of ability.
• Resources, e.g. different equipment for different levels of ability across the key stages.
• Pupil groupings, e.g. ability or mixed ability groups; or group, paired or individual activities, the opportunity to work with adult support where needed.

Children are often also given opportunities to take on leadership and coaching roles where appropriate.

Missing PE

Children should take part in PE wherever possible. If a parent feels a child is unable to take part, then a letter or a phone call should be received by the school explaining why. The child should then, if possible, observe and support with roles during the lesson so they are aware of and understand the learning taking place for future lessons.

Extra-Curricular Learning

A range of activities are offered outside of the curriculum to Key Stage 2. Some of these are led by school staff while others are led by visiting coaches. These can include lunchtime and after school opportunities. We look to provide a wide range of sporting opportunities and experiences and recognise the value this has in promoting healthy lifestyle choices. We also see this as a key goal in providing the opportunity for children to explore different sports and finding the sports and activities which appeal to them.

Competition

The school hold various competitions throughout the school year. We also take part in a range of competitions and leagues throughout the year against other local schools.  We do look to provide as many competitive opportunities as possible and see the value in introducing the children to a wide range of different sports and sporting experiences.

Impact

PE is taught as a basis for life-long learning. We believe that a successful PE curriculum where children have access to a range of activities and have a positive, successful experience will then create children who will continue to have a physically active life. They will also have a good understanding of what a healthy, active life is like and the benefits of leading one.

Opportunities to compete in sport and other challenging activities will build character and help embed values such as fairness, respect and teamwork.  Children should be prepared for the next step in their learning and life journey and in a position to participate fully in the sporting and active opportunities in education and beyond. 

Assessment

Assessment in PE is an ongoing process. Our coaches will make informal judgements about pupil’s progress and attainment as they observe them throughout lessons.

At the end of each unit/block of work, teachers will decide on a pupil’s level of attainment noting which children are:

• working above the age-related expectations
• working at the age-related expectations
• working towards the age-related expectations

These judgements will be made in line with the Long-Term Curriculum Plan and Core Task assessments that are used. Key learning for specific stages of learning are available to staff.