Intent

Locks Heath Infant School recognises the value of Physical Education.  It offers an ambitious and inclusive physical education curriculum which challenges all pupils to learn and develop new physical skills, problem solve, work alongside others, compete fairly against their peers and build their self esteem and become successful learners. It provides opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness and gives children an understanding of the benefits of physical activity. Opportunities to compete in sport and support others in the role of ’Sports Leader’ help to build character and embed the schools Learning Values ‘Working Together’ and ‘Never Giving Up’.

Our aim is to ensure all children enjoy and are engaged in Physical Education and Sport. Through Physical Education we aim to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding, so that they can perform with increasing confidence and competence in a range of physical activities. We aim to improve health and well-being, promote active participation and lifelong learning, and for each child to fulfil their potential. We aim to ensure that the children’s experience of Physical Education is positive and motivating and that children’s attitudes to a healthy lifestyle are firmly embedded in our curriculum.

National Curriculum

Key stage 1 Pupils should develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others. They should be able to engage in competitive (both against self and against others) and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations. Pupils should be taught 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.

Implementation

P.E. is taught at Locks Heath Infant School as an area of learning in its own right, as well as being integrated where possible with other curriculum areas. Each child receives 2 hours of curriculum time for PE on a weekly basis which is carefully planned and mapped out to ensure a broad and full range of skills and activities. Children participate in well resourced lessons inside and outdoors and in KS1 develop water safety and swim once every two weeks.

Pupils in Early Years are given the opportunity to develop their gross motor skills through carefully planned lessons incorporating activities and suggestions from the NHS School Therapy Pack. During the first year at school pupils are given ample opportunities to develop their fundamental movement skills and extend their agility, balance and coordination as well as their spatial awareness.

Pupils in KS1 build on the skills and knowledge from the previous years and continue to strengthen their gross motor development. Pupils take part in a well balanced curriculum in order to develop their knowledge and skills as indicated by the 2014 National Curriculum. Pupils develop their knowledge of Gymnastics, Dance, Invasion Games, Net and Wall, Athletics and Strike and Field. Pupils develop their knowledge and confidence in the water with lessons led by a fully qualified swimming teacher. Children learn life long skills to keep safe in the water and basic swimming strokes enabling them to swim independently over a short distance.

The varied curriculum is designed to enable all children to enjoy physical activity and to experience success in sport. All children have the opportunity to participate in PE at their own level of development, with teachers ensuring that lessons cater for individual needs.  They experience positive competition and developing an understanding of good sporting attitudes. Children learn in a safe environment and have a foundation for lifelong physical activity.

In addition to PE in curriculum time, we also strive to provide opportunities for children to access extracurricular physical activity through a wide range of sporting and active clubs such as: multi sports, football and gymnastics. We also encourage active playtimes through the Sports Leaders and sports coaches  to act as positive role models.