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  • PE

    Key Staff

    Coordinator: Mrs Lakey

    Governor: Mrs Ingram

    Child leaders: 

    • Leap Leaders - these children ensure PE equipment is available for active breaktimes.
    • Games Leaders - these children lead activities on the playground.

    St Francis' Physical Education (PE) Curriculum

    High-quality PE is an entitlement for all pupils, regardless of their starting points or their prior experiences of sport and physical activity. The national curriculum states: 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.” 

    In PE, pupils learn increasingly intelligent movement and important knowledge that can reduce barriers to participation and inform their own healthy, active lifestyle choices. PE provides a gateway into the world of sport and physical activity. Beyond physical participation, the traditions and cultural reference points associated with sport and physical activity are part of our shared heritage. Without being taught the language of sport and physical activity, pupils can miss out on an enriching aspect of our communal life. Kretchmar, when discussing the importance of physical activity and play, states that participation makes ‘our lives go better, not just longer’. High-quality PE therefore is a physical and cultural entitlement. (Research Review Series: March 2022) 

    IMPLEMENTATION

    Our P.E. curriculum consists of 5 key areas:

    • Dance
    • Gymnastics
    • Invasion Games
    • Athletics
    • Outdoor Adventurous Activities
    • Swimming (Broom Cottages Teaching Pool)

    In every area above, children learn about keeping healthy, muscle groups, team work, self assessment, endurance and the importance of exercise for wellbeing. The year group plan changes annually to ensure that children have covered the curriculum, mastered and refined their skills before taking part in sporting competitions and festivals with other local schools. 

    Teachers plan a sequence of lessons using QCA and Durham Core Tasks. We also have GoWell and Newcastle Falcons sport coaches working with each year group over the year. 

    The curriculum is sequenced to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn a wide range of sports so they can find at least one area where they can shine their light and support others in developing their skills. Areas are repeated, with the skills becoming more complex across Y3-Y6 to develop the gross and fine motor skills.

    Children learn a range of sports every year and there is progression in the development of the skill from Y3-Y6 so that children can learn, practice and develop skills ready for their Y7 curriculum. 

    Swimming is of highest importance to us. We have a boating lake and the Burn in Aycliffe. Children complete water safety and learn to swim 25m in a range of strokes so they can save themselves should they fall in water. One of the first skills children need to develop is not to panic when feeling water on their face: children can drown in shallow water. We are working over the next 4 years on getting swimming to be part of the Y3 curriculum, while making sure all children have these vital skills.

    We have planned what we want children to know by the end of LKS2 (Year 4) and UKS2 (Year 6), these are outlined in the tables below.

    Dance 

    LKS2UKS2

    Plan, perform and repeat sequences. 

    Move in clear, fluent and expressive manner. 

    Refine movements in sequences. 

    Create dances and movements that covey a definite idea.  

    Change speed and levels within a performance. 

    Develop physical strength and suppleness. 

    Compose creative and imaginative dance sequences 

    Perform expressively and hold a precise and strong body posture 

    Perform and create complex sequences 

    Express an idea in original and imaginative ways 

    Plan to perform with high energy, slow grace or other themes and maintain throughout a piece 

    Perform complex moves that combine strength and stamina gained through gymnastics activities (such as cartwheels or handstands) 

    Gymnastics

    LKS2UKS2

    Plan and perform sequences 

    Move in a clear, fluent and expressive manner 

    Refine movements into sequences 

    Change sped, direction and levels within a performance 

    Travel in a variety of ways, including flight, by transferring weight to generate power in movements.  

    Show a kinaesthetic sense in order to improve the placement and alignment of body parts.  

    Swing and hang from equipment safely.  

    Create complex and well executed sequences that include a full range of movements including: travelling, balances, swinging, springing, flight, vaults, inversions, rotations, bending, stretching, twisting, gestures, linking skills 

    Hold shapes that are strong, fluent and expressive 

    Vary speed, direction, level and body rotation during floor performances 

    Practise and refine the gymnastic techniques used in performances 

    Demonstrate good kinaesthetic awareness 

    Use equipment to vault and to swing 

    Invasion Games 

    LKS2UKS2

    Throw and catch a ball with control and accuracy. 

    Strike a ball and field with control 

    Choose appropriate tactics to cause problems for the opposition 

    Follow the rules of the game and play fairly. 

    Maintain possession of a ball (with e.g. feet, equipment, hands) 

    Pass to teammates at appropriate times 

    Lead others and act as a respectful team member. 

    Choose and combine techniques in game situations 

    Work alone or with team mates in order to gain points or possession 

    Strike a bowled or volleyed ball with accuracy 

    Use forehand and backhand when playing racket games 

    Field, defend and attack tactically by anticipating the direction of play 

    Choose the most appropriate tactics for a game 

    Uphold the spirit of fair play and respect in all competitive situations 

    Lead others when called upon and act as a good role model within a team 

    Athletics

    LKS2UKS2

    Sprint over a short distance up to 60m 

    Run over a longer distance conserving energy in order to sustain performance.  

    Use a range of throwing techniques 

    Throw with accuracy to hit a target or cover a distance. 

    Jump in a number of ways, using a run up where appropriate. 

    Compete with others and aim to improve personal best performances. 

    Combine sprinting with low hurdles over 60 m 

    Choose the best place for running over a variety of distances 

    Throw accurately and refine performance by analysing technique and body shape 

    Show control in take-off and landing 

    Compete with others and keep track of personal best performances, setting targets for improvement 

    Outdoor Adventurous Activities

    LKS2UKS2

    Understand the need to show accomplishment in managing risks. 

    Show an ability to both lead and form part of a team.  

    Support others and seek support if required when the situation dictates.  

    Show resilience when plans do not work and initiative to try new ways of working.  

    Use maps, compasses and digital devices to orient themselves.  

    Remain aware of changing conditions and change plans if necessary. 

    Select appropriate equipment for outdoor and adventurous activity 

    Identify possible risks and ways to manage them, asking for a listening carefully to expert advice 

    Embrace both leadership and team roles and gain the commitment and respect of a team 

    Empathise with others and offer support without being asked.  Seek support from the team and the experts if in any doubt 

    Remain positive even in the most challenging circumstances, rallying others if need be 

    Use a range of devices in order to orientate themselves 

    Quickly assess changing conditions and adapt plans to ensure safety comes first 

    Swimming

    By the end of KS2 children will:

    • Swim 25m unaided 
    • Perform a range of recognised strokes 
    • Perform a safe self-rescue 

    School Sport

    We have a range of opportunities for children:

    • After school clubs informed by pupil voice
    • Just Dance morning movement sessions
    • Every child will have an opportunity to represent St Francis' in competitive sport every year.
    • Joint sports day with Horndale infants

    Physical Activity

    We are an Active 60 school and aim for all children to have 60minutes of activity during every school day. Children have opportunities to be active using playground markings, in activities at play and lunchtime led by Mr Warters and in active lesson activities across the curriculum.