Subject Leader (2025-2026): Miss A Razaq

Intent

At St. Mary's C of E Primary Academy we want all our children in PE to:

• Learn as much as possible through exploring a wide range of activities as part of our PE curriculum. During their time at St Mary’s, children will gain positive learning experiences through Games, Athletics, Swimming, Dance, Gymnastics and Outdoor and Adventurous Activities. 
• Children will be able to develop a plethora of key fundamental skills as well as develop an enjoyment of communicating, collaborating and competing, which will enable them to take on the world, beyond their school life.
• Ignite curiosity through linking children’s success to sporting role models, as they will be able to ‘dare to dream’ of a possible future career within PE and sport.
• Through PE and our school vision, we aim to help pupils in developing lifelong skills such as problem-solving, teamwork skills, creative thinking and confidence building. As a school, we want to encourage all of our pupils to go on to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

Implementation
At St. Mary's C of E Primary Academy we believe that Physical Education, delivered safely and in a supportive environment, is essential to ensure that children attain optimum physical and emotional development. Lessons in good health will be embedded into the curriculum so that our pupils continue to follow them beyond school and into adulthood. 

High-quality teaching and learning opportunities delivered by sports specialists will inspire all children to succeed in physical education. Our children will learn life skills needed to keep them safe, healthy and to have fun including swimming, fitness and competitive sports. 

Through our PE curriculum promotes:

• Skills in co-operation and collaboration to be an effective team
• Understanding fairness and equity of play
• Skills in self-reflection to assess their own and others’ performance
• Positive self-esteem
• Respect for others

Pupils participate in two PE lessons each week. Throughout the year, each class will have at least one half-term of their PE lessons taught by a sports specialist. A large range of topics are taught within our PE curriculum – see our Long Term Plan below. 

At the start of each year, children will participate in lots of team-building activities as part of their PE lessons. This allows them to build and develop relationships so that they can succeed in PE.

For Key Stage 1 the main focus of lessons is around developing fundamental movement skills, as well as teamwork and communication skills through games. In Key Stage 2, lessons are designed to improve children’s skills and start to develop their understanding of sports, including rugby, basketball, hockey, dodgeball, tennis and rounders. During the school year, all children will also have positive experiences in Dance, Gymnastics and Athletics, ensuring a progression of knowledge and skills.

Swimming is currently taught to children in year 3. They attend lessons at John Charles Leisure Centre once a week for the whole school year. By the end of Year 6, children are expected to have met National Curriculum outcomes for Key Stage 2 swimming.

All resources and equipment needed for PE lessons are used in accordance with ‘Safe Practice in PE’ (AfPE). Health and safety of children is a priority during PE lessons and children are constantly reminded of rules and expectations in regard to how to be ‘Ready’ and ‘Safe’ in lessons (linked to our whole school rules).

Pupils are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, with clubs taking place weekly after school. Clubs like ‘Multi-Sports’ and ‘Football’ allow children to explore activities in more detail, with a more competitive side accessible to those who have further aspirations in school sport. At lunchtimes, there are some playful sporting opportunities with sports such as basketball and football taking place on the playground.