Physical Education
Subject Lead: Miss Davis
At St. Joseph’s, we are committed to ensuring the curriculum is purposeful, progressive and empowering for every child. We value all of our children and celebrate diversity of experience, need, interest, and achievement. Our curriculum provokes curiosity and excitement for all children at St. Joseph’s. We recognise that we are building the foundations for life-long learning with Christ at the centre. A shared love of literature throughout school and our faith life and Gospel values, Trust Character Virtues and British Values, sits alongside our curriculum drivers. Our curriculum drivers are what makes our curriculum unique to us here at St. Joseph’s. They are woven through all that we do and underpin our shared belief that our role is to support and help our children to understand their place within their local town, their country and in their world as a global citizen; to have experiences that become part of their life story; and aspire to achieve their very best, having been shown that there is a world of possibility awaiting them, outside of the school gates.
Intent
PE at St Joseph’s aims to develop a fun, high-quality physical education curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel individual’s abilities in competitive sports and other physically-demanding activities. We will provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Our children will have opportunities to compete in sport including dance, gymnastics, ball skills and other activities that build individuals and help to embed the character virtues. We follow the Physical Education National Curriculum.
By the end of their time in Reception class, children will become more confident using gross motor skills demonstrating good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. Pupils in Reception have 1 taught PE lesson each week and continual access to climbing equipment, bikes scooters, balls, and large building blocks.
Children in KS1 and KS2 have at least two hours of P.E. each week, taught by our PE specialist teachers Mr Gandy and Miss Bright. Swimming is taught for KS2 children at the Forum in Billingham.
We offer a broad curriculum to enable all children to feel motivated and comfortable in all areas of P.E. these and a continued focus on coordination and teamwork.
In addition to the importance placed on PE lessons we also have a wider curriculum offer which includes the opportunities for pupils to take part in extra-curricular sports and activity clubs and competitions. Daily physical activity and health enhancing activities also play a crucial role in our offer to pupils including active lessons, active break and lunchtimes and extra-curriculum.
Implementation
Pupils at St Joseph’s participate in weekly high-quality PE and sporting activities. We provide opportunities for all children to engage in extra-curricular activities during and after school, in addition to competitive sporting events. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also well-being for all pupils.
Pupils within EYFS undertake daily physical exercise within their teaching unit, through continuous provision, including the outdoor area. Cross curricular links enable PE activities to take place during literacy and maths.
In KS1 the curriculum focuses on fundamental key skills to develop early stages of tactical awareness and physical fitness elements of agility, balance and coordination through the introduction. Curriculum content includes ball skills and team games, gymnastic and dance activities. Children are introduced to early stages of games, gymnastics, dance and athletics.
At KS2 pupils continue to apply and develop a range of skills to enable them to become successful games players, dancers, gymnasts and athletes.
Impact
At St Joseph’s, we help motivate children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is engaging and fun. From our lessons, our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness, many of whom also enjoy the success of competitive sports. We equip our children with the necessary skills and a love for sport. They will hopefully grow up to live happy and healthy lives utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through PE.
As a member of the Stockton Schools Partnership, children are given the opportunity to participate in activities such as Sports Leadership Academy, Cross Country, Tag Rugby, Football, Athletics, Netball and Cricket across the year. Our school Sports Leaders hold sports activities during lunchtime for children throughout the school. By participating in competitions and festivals, our pupils receive the opportunity to develop their confidence and resilience whilst working as a team. Click below to read about the different sporting events we attend.