Physical Education

Intent

The National Curriculum for Physical Education 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 

At Kielder Primary School, we aim to inspire and engage children’s interest in sporting activities through providing a wide range of opportunities within school, after school and within the wider community. We also aim to develop an ability to remember, adapt and apply knowledge, practical skills and concepts to a variety of situations in and out of sport and to promote positive attitudes towards health, hygiene and fitness, inspiring children to want to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

We aim to promote the school’s values through sports and positively encourage children to share, respect, support, trust and work together. We also aim to help the children develop an understanding about links between physical activity and positive mental health.

We work with the NUFC Foundation to deliver our PE curriculum to create an inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate physical education experience that fosters a lifelong love of activity and well-being. More specifically, we have the following aims:

  • Promote Active Lifestyles: We instil a positive attitude towards physical activity in pupils of all ages, encouraging lifelong engagement in sports and exercise.

  • Develop Fundamental Skills: We offer opportunities for pupils to build essential physical skills, such as coordination, balance, and teamwork, while accommodating a range of abilities and developmental stages.

  • Enhance Social and Emotional Growth: We support pupils’ social skills, confidence, and resilience through collaborative activities and sportsmanship.

  • Integrate Health Education: We provide a holistic approach to physical health by linking physical activity with lessons on nutrition, well-being, and personal fitness.

Implementation

Our PE curriculum, delivered by the NUFC Foundation, is tailored to address the unique needs of our mixed-age classes through the following strategies:

  1. Differentiated Activities:

    • Age-Appropriate Challenges: Activities and sports are adapted to be suitable for various age groups within the mixed-age classes. Younger pupils receive simplified tasks, while older pupils engage in more complex challenges.

    • Skill Progression: Lessons are designed to cater to a range of skill levels, allowing pupils to progress at their own pace and encouraging personal achievement.

  2. Expert Instruction:

    • Qualified Coaches: The NUFC Foundation provides skilled coaches who bring expertise and enthusiasm, ensuring high-quality instruction and tailored support for all pupils.

    • Flexible Programme Design: Coaches and school staff collaborate to design flexible programmes that accommodate the diverse needs of mixed-age classes, ensuring that each lesson is inclusive and effective.

  3. Holistic Development:

    • Integrated Health Lessons: The curriculum includes components on nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being, helping pupils make connections between physical activity and overall health. We deliver these components through lessons, but also in assemblies and in a cross-curricular approach in subjects such as PSHE and Science.

    • Personal and Social Growth: Emphasis is placed on developing social skills and emotional resilience through team sports and cooperative activities, promoting teamwork and self-confidence.

  4. Community and Inclusion:

    • Collaborative Learning: Activities are structured to encourage interaction and cooperation among pupils of different ages, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

    • Community Engagement: Opportunities for pupils to participate in local sports events or school-wide challenges help them connect their learning to real-world experiences and build community ties.

EYFS

We aim to provide a well-balanced curriculum that covers the statutory requirements for EYFS Curriculum. Opportunities are provided for children to be active and to develop their coordination, control and movement through moving and handling activities that involve the use of a range of equipment and involve different spatial experiences. Children have daily opportunities to play with the large stationary equipment on the yard alongside bikes and small PE equipment. They will also work alongside PE specialists to begin to develop the fundamentals of movement and being in control of their body.

Competitive Sport

By KS2, children will benefit from a range of competitive sport through School Games and through further inter-school competition. We work closely with neighbouring North Tyne schools to ensure that our pupils have the opportunity to experience sport in larger groups.

Swimming and Water Safety 

Swimming lessons are compulsory for all children at KS2. Children learn to swim with qualified swimming teachers at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham. Swimming progress and assessments are reported to the Class Teacher online by using Swim England’s Swim Charter. Badges and certificates are awarded by class teachers based on the assessments made by the swimming teachers at Wentworth Leisure Centre. By the end of KS2, all children are expected to be able to swim at least 25m competently.

Impact

Children are assessed throughout each unit of work using formative assessment methods. These assessments are shared amongst staff to moderate and evaluate the impact of teaching and coaches who have worked with the children. 

Assessment in PE is used for a variety of purposes. At Kielder, we recognise the value of inter- and intra school competition and the ways in which it can be used to challenge children in a different environment. Sports competitions can also inspire ‘least active’ children and motivate them to want to compete. 

Assessments may be used to assist with the selection of teams to compete in these competitions. 

Assessment does not focus solely on skill acquisition, but also looks at the holistic development of the child. Teachers will make judgements based upon the children’s decision-making and their social and emotional development in a sporting context. 

Within lessons, children may have the opportunity to use ICT to record their achievements in PE and to enhance learning. This includes digital photography, video and slow motion replay applications on iPads. They have opportunities for self- and peer-assessment built into lessons regularly.

The impact of the PE curriculum, delivered by the NUFC Foundation, is reflected in several key outcomes:

  • Increased Physical Activity: Pupils show heightened enthusiasm for physical activity and participate more regularly in sports and exercise, both within and outside of school.

  • Enhanced Physical Skills: Pupils demonstrate improved physical abilities, including coordination, strength, and endurance, with noticeable progress across different age groups.

  • Positive Social Interactions: Improved social skills, confidence, and teamwork are evident, with pupils working well together and showing greater resilience in the face of challenges.

  • Health Awareness: Pupils gain a better understanding of how physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being are interconnected, leading to healthier lifestyle choices.

  • Community Connection: Increased involvement in local sports events and school activities fosters a sense of belonging and engagement with the wider community.

By integrating the expertise of the NUFC Foundation into our PE curriculum, we create a nurturing environment that supports physical development, encourages a love of sports, and promotes overall well-being in our mixed-age primary school setting.