Physical Education
Subject Leader: Miss Skitt
Physical Education (PE) is a central part of the curriculum at Airedale Infant School. We encourage all of our children to be physically active and to develop healthy lifestyles, which support their fitness, mental health and well-being.
The curriculum for P.E at Airedale Infant School aims to ensure that all pupils:
- develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
- are physically active for sustained periods of time
- engage in competitive sports and activities
- lead healthy, active lives.
PE links closely to our school drivers ‘VOICE’. Our TRUST values of Ambition, Bravery and Respect underpin our school ethos. Our children are taught and understand that, sport and physical activities, support development of the working memory and help to embed values such as fairness, respect and develop mental well-being. The links between physical and mental health support the development of greater self-esteem, self-control, and the ability to rise to a challenge through developing resilience.
We have a strong partnership with ‘Elite Coaching’ where the children have the opportunity to work with qualified coaches, alongside class teachers and teaching assistants. In addition to this, our school plays a supporting role with the development of a PE Pro App, in conjunction with Sports Directory. This helps our children to raise their aspirations through working with and being positive role models and raises the profile of PE, so that they continue to be healthy and active in later life
Oracy and communication are fundamental skills that we believe equip our children to be life-long learners. PE supports this aim by children being able to respectfully discuss their performances and articulate their evaluation process with one another. Our pupils understanding that their voice is a vital tool required for supporting and developing one another’s performance, is crucial to aid success and promote the use of technical vocabulary. The vocabulary taught in PE links to many other areas of the curriculum, showcasing cross – curricular links. We encourage children to know, understand and apply this vocabulary in context.
Being independent and fostering a love for learning is crucial in our school. Through sport and PE lessons, our children are encouraged to build good relationships with their peers, work independently and collaboratively, supporting one another. Children are taught the skills of resilience and perseverance, which prepare them for the challenges that they are given in school, as well as the wider world. Children’s successes both in school and out of school are celebrated and they develop a sense of pride in their achievements. Our PE curriculum celebrates the success of all pupils, regardless of their physical ability showing children that these are not barriers to success and aspiration.
How do we ensure progression of knowledge and skills?
Lessons are planned so that children develop an understanding of the importance of health and fitness, whilst they acquire and develop key skills. Children are taught to evaluate and improve their performance and are encouraged to use their collaborative and leadership skills
PE skills document
How is the subject taught?
When children are in PE lessons, they are explicitly told that they are going to be active and take part in some form of physical activity. They are then reminded of the key skills that they will learn, use and develop within this subject, specifically linking to their prior learning and how this will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. The knowledge content is carefully selected and skilfully taught alongside the key skills and concepts, which are threaded throughout the curriculum. This allows children ample opportunities to revisit, reinforce and embed skills progressively.
How do we know that our children are making progress?
Ongoing assessments of the children’s knowledge and skills are observed by the class teachers, teaching assistants and sports leaders. Children’s outcomes are compared to the subject specific skills documents outlined on the PE Pro App. This is collated through three data collection points and next steps identified by the subject leader.
What wider opportunities are provided for our children?
In addition to discrete teaching in this subject, opportunities for PE through additional enrichment and links with other subject areas, ensure that elements of the PE curriculum are accessed by children throughout the year. Our children participate in regular internal and external sports competitions. They experience a range of different sport and physical activities through the use of specialist coaches in school.
Further Information & Links
