Physical Education – Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

Bow Brickhill C of E Primary School believes that Physical Education (P.E.), experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is essential to ensure children attain optimum physical development as well as an understanding of what makes a healthy lifestyle. We intend to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities that inspire all children to succeed and progress in physical education, in addition to developing life skills and the understanding of exercise links to good mental health. At this school we want to promote an enjoyment of sport and physical activity which stays with children through life. We also want to install a level of competition in order to progress skills and promote working in a team as well as to support the development of a growth mind-set. Our P.E. curriculum is sequenced precisely to ensure progression of knowledge and skills throughout a child’s primary education, thus enabling children to build upon prior experiences and apply these fluently and with confidence.

Implementation

Physical Education at Bow Brickhill C of E Primary School provides challenging and enjoyable learning through a range of sporting activities including: invasion games, net & wall games, strike and field games, gymnastics, dance, swimming and outdoor & adventure. The long term plan sets out the P.E. units which are to be taught throughout the year and ensures that the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. Pupils participate in roughly 2 hours of high quality P.E. lessons each week, covering two sporting disciplines every half term. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in the varied range of extra-curricular activities. Children are invited to attend competitive sporting events within the local area. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also mental well-being. These events also develop teamwork and leadership skills and are very much enjoyed by the children. Children are also taught physical education theory by looking at the body and how this relates to not only sport but life. Where possible, children in UKS2 will alternate between swimming once a week during one term and completing Bikability the following year. The annual sports day focuses on athletics skills and enables our pupil’s joy and enthusiasm for sport to be shared with families. Where possible, inner and outer school competitions within year groups are arranged so that pupils can apply skills learnt in lessons. Where possible, afterschool clubs are held which progress skills and engage in competition.

Impact

At Bow Brickhill C of E Primary School, we help to motivate children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is engaging and fun. From our lessons, our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness; many of them also enjoy the success of competitive sports. They will understand the fundamentals of sports in warmup, skill and game-like scenarios. Pupils will also develop the skills to conduct their own warm-ups, understand muscle groups and how to stretch and cool down appropriately and why these things are important in physical activity. The many gains for pupils actively participating in these activities and exercise will benefit them through a reduction in stress, anxiety and depression; help control weight; improve overall general fitness; boost self-esteem; and promote psychological well-being. Pupils engagement in P.E. activities will benefit them from an improvement in their social skills, leadership qualities, communication and confidence. As a school, our aim is to ensure that each pupil participates on a regular basis either in a competitive or non-competitive environment. 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.