INTENT

At St Anselm’s, we strive to deliver a high-quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum that fosters a lifelong love of physical activity and promotes the physical, emotional, and social development of our students. Our vision is to nurture healthy lifestyles by encouraging all pupils to develop a positive attitude towards exercise and a commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle both in and outside of school. We aim to support holistic development by providing opportunities for pupils to develop their physical skills, confidence, and resilience while also enhancing their cognitive and social skills through teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Furthermore, we are dedicated to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their background or ability, have access to a broad range of physical activities that cater to their interests and needs, fostering an environment where every child feels valued and motivated to participate.

Whilst our curriculum is designed to progressively develop sporting skills and knowledge, we also aim to provide pupils with opportunities to develop personal skills and attributes as identified in our unique Rainbow Curriculum.

‘Inspire to Aspire’

As part of their learning within each topic, pupils will be exploring and celebrating the work of historical and contemporary sportspeople from a range of abilities, backgrounds and cultures.

IMPLEMENTATION

In the EYFS at St Anselm’s, pupils experience physical activity through activities within physical development and expressive arts and design activities. This lays the foundation for learning in PE in KS1 and beyond.

From Y1 – Y6, PE is taught  through challenging and enjoyable PE sessions and other timetabled physical activities.  In addition, pupils are encouraged to participate in  extra-curricular activities after school.  

Curriculum Design: Our PE curriculum is aligned with the National Curriculum and is structured around key principles of physical literacy. We implement a variety of sports and activities, including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, and outdoor education, ensuring a well-rounded experience.

Qualified and Passionate Instructors: Our PE lessons are taught by enthusiastic and qualified PE coaches, supported by school staff, who receive ongoing professional development to stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends in physical education.

Assessment and Feedback: We regularly assess pupils’ progress through observational assessments, self-assessments, and peer assessments. This is coupled with constructive feedback that helps pupils understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

Extracurricular Provision: We provide extracurricular activities after school through sports clubs, encouraging students to engage with sports outside of the curriculum.

Adaptations for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Our staff are trained to deliver PE in a manner that is inclusive for pupils with SEND. We adapt curriculum content based on individual needs, ensuring that all learners can participate fully.

Wider opportunities for physical activity: In addition to timetabled sessions, pupils in Y1 – Y6 take part in timetabled ‘Daily Mile’ and ‘Skip2bfit’ sessions. The school is also part of the OPAL Play initiative which actively promotes a wide range of physical activities during the lunch hour.

IMPACT

We ensure that pupils:

• demonstrate improved physical fitness levels, motor skills, and general health. Regular fitness assessments indicate rising standards of pupil performance and engagement in physical activities.
• enjoy PE lessons, take part in extracurricular activities, and express a desire to remain active outside of school. This reflects the successful cultivation of a positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle.
• Understand the clear link between physical activity and improved concentration, behaviour, and academic performance, with pupils often showcasing enhanced engagement in their schoolwork following physical activities.
• Are encouraged to develop lifelong participation in sports or physical activities and the development of a sense of responsibility for their health and wellbeing.

By continuously monitoring and reflecting upon our PE provision, we ensure our practices remain responsive to the needs of our pupils, supporting them to communicate effectively, working confidently as individuals and as part of a team, enabling them to make healthy decisions in their own lives as well as contributing to the health and well-being of the community, now and in the future.