Intent

Physical education is an engaging, inclusive and fun subject for all the children at Merrylands Primary School and Nursery. At Merrylands, we aim to inspire all children to engage with and enjoy physical activity at their own level. PE is accessible for all learners and we strive to provide them with opportunities to experience success, regardless of their own perceived ability. The children work with staff to develop their confidence in relation to physical activity across a variety of sports. Through teaching and discussion, children learn about the impact physical activity can have on their overall health and well-being throughout their lives.

The curriculum encompasses a broad range of activities, but its foundations lie within the fundamental skills of physical activity which were heavily explored and developed in the Early Years and KS1. These skills include, but are not limited to, balancing, running, hopping, skipping, creating space and changing direction. We believe that if children are competent in these skills from a young age, they will go on to have greater success in other areas of activity that are taught in KS2. In addition to this, children are able to have fun as they explore and enhance their physical skills as well as their social skills. Perhaps most importantly, we want children to be able to set themselves goals and targets and take the small steps necessary to achieve them. Physical education is a crucial part of a child’s development, and it enables them to show commitment and resilience in an enjoyable, supportive environment.

Implementation

High quality PE lessons are planned and delivered using the Get Set 4 PE scheme of work which covers all aspects of the Physical Education National Curriculum and the EYFS Statutory Framework.  Our long-term plan for PE begins at Nursery and progresses all the way through to Year 6, providing a range of sporting activities including; fundamental and ball skills, invasion games, strike and field games, gymnastics, dance, swimming and outdoor and adventure and builds on skills and knowledge to ensure progression across the school. 

In EYFS, children have daily access to the outside environment to move freely and practise fundamental movements through play.  In addition, children in Reception have a taught PE lesson each week.  From Year 1 onwards, children are taught two hours of PE weekly, covering two sporting disciplines every half-term.  Swimming lessons are delivered in KS2 by an external provider to support all children to achieve the skill of swimming 25m unaided by the time they leave primary school.

In addition to PE lessons, a variety of extracurricular sporting activities are offered throughout the year, either at lunchtime or after school, and children are actively encouraged to participate in these activities.  The school follows the Active Burst initiative whereby children engage in 10 minutes of extra physical activity daily during class time.  To promote leadership and personal development, children in KS2 are given the opportunity to take an active role in leading sporting events throughout the year via our Sports Leaders programme.  Sports Leaders provide structured activities at lunchtimes to enable children to play team games.  Children in the school also participate in an annual sports day event.

Through the Schools Sports Partnership with James Hornsby the children are given regular opportunities to participate in sporting competitions and training sessions for particular sports and competitions organised by the Berlesduna Academy Trust enable further opportunities for KS2 children to compete.

On occasions, some children are unable to participate in PE lessons.  Non-participation cards are available to ensure every child is included in a lesson even if they do not have the correct kit, or they are not physically able to participate.

Impact

Through the teaching of PE, children develop confidence, knowledge and skills across a range of sporting disciplines and, as a result, achieve high standards.  Discussions with children indicate that an overwhelming number of children at Merrylands Primary School and Nursery enjoy physical activity and look forward to their PE lessons and through PE lessons, Active Burst and extra-curricular sports clubs, children are more active throughout the school day.  From lessons, children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness and continually develop skills of teamwork, sportsmanship, independence and resilience. We equip children with the necessary skills and a love for sport, prepare them for their next stage of education and with the knowledge to live a healthy and active life.

Physical education knowledge goals are assessed throughout each unit of work using an assessment grid and this information is used to inform future planning.  The subject is monitored regularly to measure the impact of the PE curriculum content, design and delivery and the outcomes of this monitoring are used to drive forward next steps within the subject.