Physical Education

Intent

Our aim in Physical Education is to provide children with an engaging, exciting and empowering curriculum which equips them for today and tomorrow. The Holy Name PE curriculum is designed to be aspirational, ensuring that pupils leave with an appreciation of physical activity and the knowledge of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, including the ability to be able to make educated daily lifestyle choices.

The GetSet4PE scheme is used across the school. It is designed to provide teachers with comprehensive lesson plans, enabling them to effectively teach various aspects of the PE National Curriculum. These detailed plans equip teachers with the necessary subject knowledge to deliver high-quality physical education. Additionally, teachers are supported with technical glossaries, online resources, and adult guidance to enhance their subject expertise, enabling them to communicate technical terminology and skills with confidence and clarity. One of our goals is to empower teachers with the knowledge and confidence to teach all facets of physical education.

It provides opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness.  We provide opportunities for children to compete in sport and take part in other activities, such as outdoor pursuits/education at Ghyll Head Outdoor Education Facility, to help build their character and also help to embed values such as fairness and respect.  We work in partnership with City in the Community, who provide; CPD for staff, coaching to children as well as numerous opportunities for pupils to take part in sports and cross-curricular activities both at school and others facilities. 

At Holy Name, we believe that Physical Education helps to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for mental, emotional, social and physical well-being in our children now and for their future. Physical fitness is an important aspect of leading a healthier lifestyle. It teaches self-discipline and that success is only achieved through hard work, resilience and determination. It is our intent at Holy Name to teach children life skills that will positively impact on their future.  The Healthy Schools programme helps support key areas of focus.  For example, healthy lifestyles and mental health and wellbeing.  We want to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others, as part of a team, understanding fairness and equity of play to embed life-long values. We aim to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities that inspire all children to succeed in physical activities whilst providing every possible opportunity to encounter the world-class sporting facilities in their immediate locality. 

Implementation

To promote physical health and wellbeing we organise a huge variety of extra-curricular clubs before and after school, sports day, and an annual Health and Fitness Day as well as a three day residential to Ghyll Head Outdoor Education facility in the Lake District.

The key features of learning are that pupils are: 

• expected to build on their prior learning and understanding
• expected to ask their own questions about their learning to raise higher order thinking skills
• given opportunities to engage in independent learning and to find out for themselves
• provided with different approaches used to stimulate pupils and meet their different learning needs in line with our Dyslexia Friendly status
• provided with high quality, up to date resources that promote equality and celebrate diversity
• provided with real life examples to give meaning and purpose to their learning
• expected to use subject-specific vocabulary correctly
• encouraged to challenge themselves in their learning
• provided with opportunities to practice the application of their knowledge and skills in all their learning
• equipped with knowledge and skills necessary to begin to tackle social disadvantage
• inspired by Manchester’s rich heritage and place in the world which is used to open up the curriculum beyond the confines of the classroom.  For example, visiting a variety of sports facilities within Manchester, including The Etihad Stadium and MUFC’s Carrington Training facility. 
• provides the opportunity for children to experience learning in an outdoor environment, amongst peers with specially qualified instructors. 

Statutory requirements for the teaching and learning of Physical Education are laid out in the ‘Physical Development’ section of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) and in the National Curriculum in England Programmes of Study – Key Stages 1 and 2 (2014). 

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. 

Our pupils participate in at least 2 hours of high quality PE and sporting activities weekly. Weekly PE lessons are delivered by class teachers as well as a sports coach provided by City in the Community (CITC).  Children in Year 4 attend the Manchester Aquatics swimming baths each week. By the end of Year 4 children are expected to be able to competently swim 25 metres.  If this is not achieved, targeted children continue lessons into the following year. Our PE programme incorporates a variety of sports to ensure all children develop the confidence, tolerance and the appreciation of their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses. 

We provide opportunities for all children to engage in extra-curricular activities before, during and after school, in addition to competitive sporting events. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also well-being.  We have pupil Sports Leaders who support the CITC coach within lessons, work to encourage an active play and lunch time.  We are also involved in a Manchester Leadership Academy Programme run in partnership by the Manchester United Foundation and the Manchester Schools PE Association.

A curriculum coverage file is kept for each cohort. This enables both class teachers and the subject leader to monitor coverage and identify progress made throughout the lifetime of a cohort in the school.

Impact

Our Physical Education curriculum aims to improve the wellbeing and fitness of all children, not only through the sporting skills taught, but through the underpinning values and disciplines PE promotes. Within our lessons, children are taught about self-discipline and build on the knowledge they need to take ownership and responsibility of their own health and fitness. Cross-curricular links are made with science i.e. exercise, a balanced diet, hygiene, as well as PSHE i.e. health and wellbeing.  Our impact is therefore to motivate children to utilise these underpinning skills in an independent and effective way in order to live happy and healthy lives.

Assessment is carried out in conjunction with the City in the Community coach in order to monitor progress and our Internal tracking system.