Physical Education

Be confident           Be resilient              Be healthy

At St Mary’s, we believe that Physical Education (PE) is fundamental to a child’s development. PE at St Mary’s is challenging, inclusive and enjoyable. Through a range of sports, skills and fixtures, pupils are able to develop into healthy, resilient and well-rounded individuals with a passion for physical education. Through our sequential PE curriculum and a range of enrichment opportunities,  the National Curriculum is delivered to allow all children to develop to their full potential. 

Intent

At St Mary’s we want to give every child the confidence, physical literacy, emotional and thinking skills to achieve in P.E, sport and life. We aim to provide every child with the opportunity to excel in both their creative attitude and physical skills. Our curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children at St Mary’s, not only through a variety of sports, but also through the underpinning values that PE promotes.  We understand the importance of positive mental wellbeing and developing the whole child which is why we care so passionately about Physical Education in our school. Through our bespoke and sequenced curriculum, all children will leave St Mary’s having had a positive and enriched experience that will make them more likely to carry on developing their physical literacy into adulthood.

Implementation

EYFS 

Physical development is taught through many aspects of the EYFS curriculum; from handwriting (pencil grip) to physical activity outside and learning about our bodies and how to keep them healthy. Throughout Early Years children are offered a balance of outdoor play opportunities and indoor physical development. In EYFS, pupils are taught the skills that build the foundations for future PE success. Children in EYFS are supported in their physical development through a combination of PE lessons and continuous provision.

From Year 1 to Year 6

• St Mary’s provides challenging and enjoyable learning through a range of sporting activities including: structured games that focus on agility, balance or coordination, net and wall games, invasion games, strike and field games, gymnastics and swimming. 
• The long term plan sets out the PE units which are taught throughout the year and ensures that all the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. 
• PE lessons cover the fundamental movement skills and competitive games. PE lessons are taught by teachers or specialist PE coaches who work with the school through an external provider. 
•  Children are encouraged to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. 
• In the local area, each year group is invited to attend competitive sporting events with other schools. These events are inclusive and accessible to all children and not only develop their physical literacy but also develop their confidence, resilience and teamwork skills.
• Year 6 pupils have been trained as play leaders. They develop a sporting role across school and deliver structured and exciting games at lunch times. 
• Children in Year 5 and Year 6 have swimming lessons. This is then repeated for our Year 6 children if they have not met the required standard. 
• To promote PE across school, every year we have a sporting enrichment week in the summer term. Last year, children had the opportunity to try climbing, martial arts, rugby, running and skipping. This gives children the opportunity to try something new and improve their skills. 
• At the end of each lesson, pupils are given time to reflect on what went well and what they need to improve on. This allows children to reflect on their own learning and be proud of what they have achieved. 

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Impact

Through our PE approach, you will see:

Agility, balance and coordination are taught throughout out PE curriculum and each Fundamental Movement skill progresses throughout school. Each child can see a clear end purpose and journey for every unit of PE they take part in. They are confident and competent sportspersons, and have the knowledge to live healthy lifestyles. Pupils participate in PE and it has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing as well as fostering a lifelong love of sports. Pupils experience a wide range of sporting activities that allow them to discover their individual passions and talents. Extra-curricular clubs allow pupils to further their interests and will change half termly to allow pupils a variety of choice. Through our curriculum, children are building their resilience and enjoy taking part in a variety of sporting fixtures, both intra house and school competitions. Our Year 6 children are confident in leading our playleader initiative and this encourages active lunch times which contribute to the 60 minutes of activity that we strive to give every child.

Enrichment

At St Mary’s we provide enrichment opportunities for all our pupils by: 

• Hosting a sports week with a variety of activities including a climbing wall, skipping workshop, martial arts and rugby. 
• Cricket Carnival at Ampleforth College.
• Malton Community Sports Center delivering bespoke and specialist PE sessions. 
• Fixtures for Year 1 to Year 6 hosted by Malton Community Sports Center. 
• Visits from sports athletes to allow children to ask questions and to raise the performance of PE. 
• HAWKS delivering bespoke curriculum sessions and after school clubs. 
• Hosting sporting fixtures between local schools. 
• Malton Community Sports Center delivering our Play leader coaching for our Year 6s. 
• Year 6 pupils attend a residential that  gives them the opportunity to try different and exciting outdoor activities.