Rationale

At Stoke Primary School we believe that Physical Development is a crucial aspect of education for all children. We recognise the vital contribution of it to a child’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, as well as the role it can play in relation to a child’s spiritual, moral and cultural development. We are aware that physical development opportunities are imperative to the development of children in the EYFS but feel that it is equally important to continue this throughout Key stage 1 and 2.

EYFS

Physical development is citied as one of the three prime areas of learning in the Early Years Statutory Framework. At Stoke we aim to provide our early years children with many opportunities to be physically active and develop their coordination, balance and agility targeting their ABC fundamental movements. This may be through weekly PE lessons or through opportunities provided as part of continuous provision including the outside area. All children also take part in weekly forest school sessions which are designed to give opportunities outside the classroom.

Curriculum

Physical education (PE) lessons are introduced to children in the EYFS on a weekly basis where they may take place as small groups or classes. All children in years 1-6 have two hours of PE each week. This follows a progressive programme which includes a range of sporting activities: invasion games; net and wall games; striking and fielding games; gymnastics; dance; swimming; and outdoor and adventure. The long-term plan sets out the PE units which are to be taught throughout the year and ensures that the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. We have a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) who oversees the implementation of the PE curriculum alongside a team of qualified sports coaches. This ensures that all children have access to high quality PE lessons, delivered by professional coaches throughout the year. As well as this, regular CPD opportunities for teachers ensure that all teaching staff are confident in delivering PE lessons in their own classes and are able to adapt PE schemes of work to meet the needs of the children they teach. Pupils in years 2, 4 and 5 attend swimming lessons weekly for half a term and children in year 6 will attend top up swimming each day for two weeks, if they still have not met national requirements.

Forest School

Children in all year groups will get the chance to participate in Forest School activities throughout the year. Through forest school children will be able to learn how to work with their peers, improve communication and problem solve in ways in which they would not be able to do in the classroom. Through the use of tools, children will develop their physical ability and understanding of taking safe risks.

Lunchtimes

At Stoke Primary School, we encourage and allow all children the opportunity to actively participate in physical activity at lunchtimes that is fun, rewarding and improves well-being. Sports coaches provide opportunities on the playgrounds for children to join in with a variety of sports activities. These are aimed at different groups of children on different days and the activities are rotated to ensure a balance of activities over the course of each week.

Afterschool and competitions

A range of afterschool clubs are offered on a half termly basis. There is a mixture of sporting and non-sporting afterschool clubs that can be access by children from Year 1 to Year 6. Sports clubs cover a wide range of sports and activities including: football, dance, netball, gymnastics and multi-sports. Other clubs may involve less traditional sporting activities such as zorbing, laser tag and martial arts. We employ a range of specialist teachers to run these clubs to ensure quality. By providing a wide range of clubs across the year we aim to target a wider audience of children to take part in physical activity outside the PE lessons.

A number of school staff also run specific sports related clubs such as football, netball and athletics. These give the children the opportunity to represent the school in competitive matches and leagues against other schools. 

Throughout the year, we provide opportunities for the children represent the school either through competitions or showcase events in a number of sports. We ensure that different children and different year groups have the opportunities to participate in these activities as much as possible including those children with specific SEND needs who are able to participate with similar peers from other schools.