Physical Education (PE) at Colden

Intent: what are we trying to achieve with our curriculum?

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

Our PE curriculum reflects the National Curriculum as well as our school community’s specific context and needs. Specifically, we aim to:

• 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.

Inclusion

Colden is an inclusive school. For those children with SEND and/or deemed ‘vulnerable’, adjustments are made based upon individual needs. These may be to the curriculum itself or to access arrangements. At the same time, the importance of fostering independence and developing the confidence and ability to meet appropriate challenges is understood and promoted.

Implementation: how do we deliver our curriculum?

As a basis for our curriculum structure, we use the PE Hub materials to support teachers in providing a clearly structured progression of knowledge and skills. This scheme supports pupils to develop their knowledge and skills in a range of key areas which are taught in a blocked approach in half termly units of work. For example football skills might be taught for six weeks, followed by a unit on Outdoor Adventurous Activities. Staff have worked together to then produce a whole school overview so that pupils are given the opportunity to develop a sufficient range of knowledge and skills. To ensure that pupils’ learning is committed to their long-term memory, there are opportunities throughout lessons, units and the whole year to recap and revisit prior learning.

Staff use the PE Hub schemes of work as a basis and adapt according to the needs of the pupils.

In addition to PE lessons, pupils are encouraged to take part in physical and wellbeing activities throughout the school day. This might be a quick classroom-based physical activity to re-energise children if they have been sitting for some time, a mindfulness breathing activity to calm them down after a playtime or a range of playtime activities such as basketball, table tennis, football and skipping. Out of school activities also take place including Judo, football, running and table tennis.

Whenever possible, Colden takes part in inter-school competitions. Indeed, the school has an impressive track record in cross country, having produced both regional and nation champions.

Usually, pupils take part in swimming lessons in Year 4 and 5. However, in order to make up for lost opportunities during the pandemic, Year 6 pupils can also take part depending on needs. Pupils are taken by bus to Todmorden Leisure Centre during the spring term. It is the expectation that by the end of the term, they will have achieved the Age Expected standard. Where this is not the case, provision is made for pupils to have additional lessons.

Impact: what difference is our curriculum making to pupils?

Teachers assess the impact of their teaching continuously through questioning, observing and monitoring pupils’ work. Teachers will be constantly asking themselves the question as to whether pupils have mastered the knowledge and skills as intended. If not, this could result in lessons being adapted or additional opportunities found to revisit the identified gaps in learning to ensure that all children achieve as planned.

Leaders seek to moderate judgements through regular lesson visits to observe pupils’ progress and verify teacher assessments.