Subject Intent

At Fir Tree, we believe that Physical Education plays an important role in developing the whole child. Our PE curriculum aims to inspire pupils to enjoy being active, develop confidence in physical activity and understand the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.

We want all pupils to develop the fundamental movement skills, knowledge and confidence needed to participate successfully in a broad range of physical activities. As pupils progress through the school, they develop greater control, coordination, agility and physical competence, while also learning how to apply skills in games, sports and other physical activities.

PE also provides important opportunities for pupils to develop social and personal qualities. Through teamwork, competition and shared physical activity, pupils develop communication, cooperation, resilience, perseverance, leadership and respect for others. We encourage pupils to participate positively, demonstrate fair play and recognise both individual and team achievement.

Our curriculum provides a broad and progressive range of physical activities, enabling pupils to discover and develop their interests while building the foundations for lifelong participation in physical activity.

Subject Implementation

PE is taught through a progressive curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, supported by The PE Hub as a planning and resource framework. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit and develop fundamental skills before applying them in increasingly challenging activities and sporting contexts.

In EYFS, physical development is supported through opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, spatial awareness and control. Pupils develop the fundamental movement skills that provide the foundations for later participation in PE and sport.

In KS1, pupils develop fundamental skills including running, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing and movement. They begin to apply these skills through games, dance, gymnastics and other physical activities, developing awareness of space, simple tactics and working with others.

In KS2, pupils build on these foundations through a broad range of sports and physical activities. They develop increasingly refined technical skills, learn to apply tactics and strategies, and develop their understanding of rules and fair competition.

Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to practise and refine skills, apply them in different situations and reflect on their performance. Teachers use modelling, demonstration, repetition and appropriate challenge to support pupils in developing physical competence and confidence.

Swimming and water safety form an important part of the PE curriculum, with pupils provided with opportunities to develop their swimming ability and understand how to stay safe in and around water.

Competition is used positively to help pupils develop resilience, teamwork and respect. Pupils also have opportunities to represent the school and participate in wider sporting experiences and activities where appropriate.

Subject Overview

Across the school, pupils develop their physical skills through increasingly challenging activities and learn to apply these skills in different contexts.

The curriculum provides a balance of individual and team activities, alongside opportunities to develop performance, creativity, tactical awareness and leadership. Pupils experience a range of activities including invasion games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, striking and fielding activities, outdoor adventurous activities and swimming.

The progression of learning ensures that pupils develop from fundamental movement skills towards increasingly confident and competent participation in a range of sports and physical activities.

Assessment and Measuring Progress

Assessment in PE is ongoing and embedded within lessons. Teachers use observation, questioning, demonstration and practical activities to assess pupils' physical development, understanding and application of skills.

Teachers assess pupils' ability to:

• perform fundamental and sport-specific skills with increasing control and accuracy;
• demonstrate coordination, balance, agility and physical competence;
• apply skills effectively in different activities and situations;
• understand and apply rules, tactics and strategies;
• work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others;
• demonstrate resilience and perseverance when developing physical skills;
• participate positively in competition and demonstrate fair play; and
• evaluate and improve their own performance.

Assessment considers both physical development and the wider skills developed through PE. Teachers identify areas for further practice and provide appropriate challenge so that pupils can continue to develop their competence and confidence.

Progress is demonstrated through pupils' increasing ability to perform and apply physical skills independently, adapt their approach to different activities and understand how to improve their own performance. By the end of Year 6, pupils should have developed a broad range of physical skills, an understanding of different sporting activities and the confidence and knowledge needed to participate positively in physical activity beyond primary school.