PE Curriculum Learning

 Intent

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School aims to provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. At the school, we offer pupils the opportunity to compete in sports and other activities, in order to help build character and reinforce values such as fairness and respect.

PE lessons are taught with the following aims in mind:

•     Meet the requirements of the National Curriculum

•     Promote a healthy and active lifestyle

•     Encourage physical activity and exercise

•     Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities

•     Build self-esteem, confidence and resilience

•     Provide all pupils with access to the lesson

•     Develop pupils’ academic, social and physical ability

•     Encourage good behaviour and respect amongst pupils

•     Promote team work and cooperation amongst pupils

Implementation

Pupils undertake a range of physical activities throughout the year. Our weekly timetable dedicates at least 120 minutes to our 'active curriculum' - which includes dedicated PE lessons, swimming, dance sessions with our specialist dance teacher, the daily mile and children have access to before and after school clubs.  In Reception classes, pupils spend time learning basic skills involved with travelling and using equipment, and improving hand-eye co-ordination. As children progress through the year groups, skills are embedded and extended. Within Key Stage 1 and 2, pupils move around a series of activities, changing each half term. These include games (netball, basketball, tag rugby and football), gymnastic activities, dance, racquet games (tennis, badminton and table tennis), athletics and bat and ball games (cricket and rounders).

Wherever possible, our PE curriculum is linked with our other curriculum areas, for example the benefits of healthy eating and exercise is reaffirmed in our PSHE and Science lessons.

Before and After school clubs

Throughout the school year, we provide opportunities for children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities before and after school. These include, but are not limited to: karate, football and netball.  External sports coaches often lead activities and clubs. Parents will be made aware of the activities on offer via letters, the school newsletter and the school website and when fixtures involve participating in events with other schools.

Uniform

Indoor lessons

During indoor PE lessons, all pupils are expected to wear the following:

•        Yellow/gold t-shirt emblazoned with the school logo
•        Royal blue shorts
•        Black pumps

Outdoor lessons

During outdoor PE lessons, all pupils are expected to wear the following:

•        Yellow/gold t-shirt emblazoned with the school logo
•        Plain navy or black tracksuit bottoms
•        Blue school jumper or cardigan emblazoned with the school logo
•        Black trainers

Swimming

Swimming lessons are timetabled in the Autumn term for Year 6, Spring term for Year 4 and Summer term for Year 2. All children will have the opportunity to develop and improve their swimming skills throughout the primary phase. The participation in swimming lessons is compulsory for all pupils.

Swimming lessons last approximately 30 minutes and count as one of the classes’ weekly PE lessons. The lessons take place at Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre. The pupils walk to the pool under supervision by school staff. In some circumstances, parent volunteers may be asked to walk with the children to and from the pool. Children wear high-visibility jackets and will be reminded of road-safety awareness before leaving the school building.

 Our pupils are taught to:

•        Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres.
•        Use a range of strokes effectively, such as front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.
•        Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

Inter-school competition

We have a good record at St Mary’s of taking part in a wide range of inter-school sports. Now that some Covid restrictions have lifted, we are looking for more opportunities to take part in competitions again - Watch this space!

Non-participation

Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children attend all active lessons in the school day, as PE is a statutory part of the National Curriculum. Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from lessons, except in rare and exceptional circumstances, which must be discussed and approved by the Head teacher and PE leader.  Medical issues must be signed off by a doctor or medical professional.