At St Mary’s, PE helps children develop physical confidence and enjoy healthy, active lives. Our Catholic ethos supports fairness, cooperation and respect for each person’s achievements.

Children learn movement skills, rules, tactics and creative choices. They develop resilience through practice and learn to participate safely in individual challenges, team activities and competition.

We use Complete PE to support the school’s planned sequence, with specialist dance teaching. Reception builds movement, balance, coordination and cooperation through taught sessions and daily play. Key Stage 1 develops these foundations; Key Stage 2 refines and applies them in a wider range of activities.

Teachers model techniques and provide purposeful practice before children apply them. Space, tasks, equipment and grouping are adapted to support participation and appropriate challenge.

Swimming is taught in Years 2, 4 and 6 at Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre. Lessons develop water confidence, swimming technique and essential water safety skills, including safe self-rescue, in line with National Curriculum expectations.

Active play, the Daily Mile, clubs and inter-school opportunities add to children’s experiences beyond taught PE.

At St Mary's, we believe that every child should feel confident, comfortable and ready to participate in physical education. Appropriate PE kit helps children to move safely and enjoy their learning.

Indoor PE

Children should wear:

• Yellow/gold school PE T-shirt with the school logo

• Royal blue shorts

• Black pumps

Outdoor PE

Children should wear:

• Yellow/gold school PE T-shirt with the school logo

• Plain navy or black tracksuit bottoms

• Blue school jumper or cardigan with the school logo

• Black trainers

Please ensure that all clothing and footwear is clearly labelled with your child's name.

If families experience difficulty obtaining the required PE kit, we encourage them to contact the school so that appropriate support can be offered.

Dance

For dance lessons, children wear their usual school uniform, removing their jumper or cardigan to allow freedom of movement. Black pumps should be worn instead of trainers, in accordance with our school arrangements.

Swimming Kit

Children should bring:

• A suitable, close-fitting swimming costume, swimming trunks or swimming shorts (not loose-fitting board shorts)

• A swimming hat, with long hair tied back securely

• A towel

• Goggles (optional)

• Swim socks should be worn on the feet if a pupil has a verruca or wart.

Suitable alternative swimwear, including modest swimwear, can be accommodated in accordance with pool safety requirements. Parents and carers are encouraged to contact the school to discuss any religious, cultural, medical or additional needs.

Physical education is an important part of every child's education, supporting physical development, confidence, teamwork and wellbeing.

All pupils are expected and encouraged to participate in PE, dance and swimming lessons as part of the school curriculum.

We recognise that some children may require adaptations or additional support because of illness, injury, disability or medical needs. Where appropriate, staff will make reasonable adjustments to enable children to participate safely and meaningfully.

Parents and carers should inform the school of any health concerns that may affect their child's participation. Where necessary, the school will work with families and relevant professionals to agree suitable arrangements.

Our aim is to ensure that every child feels included, supported and able to experience success in physical education.

Children demonstrate progress in PE through increasing control, coordination, confidence and independence. They apply skills and tactics appropriately, work cooperatively, compete fairly and explain how practice and feedback help improve their performance. They develop an understanding of how physical activity supports their health and wellbeing.

Teachers assess progress through observation, questioning and practical performance, using this to identify next steps and provide appropriate support or challenge. Swimming competence and water-safety knowledge are assessed through swimming provision.