INTENT
At Smallthorne Primary Academy, Physical Education plays a vital role within our Character & Arts Curriculum, supporting pupils to develop healthy bodies, confident minds and positive attitudes towards physical activity.
Our PE curriculum is designed to provide a high-quality, ambitious and fully inclusive programme that enables every pupil—regardless of background, ability or need—to experience success and enjoyment in physical activity. Through carefully planned lessons and a wide range of sporting opportunities, pupils develop physical competence, teamwork and resilience while building confidence and wellbeing.
We believe that physical education contributes significantly to pupils’ physical, emotional and social development. Through sport and movement, pupils learn to challenge themselves, collaborate with others and develop habits that support lifelong health.
Our PE curriculum ensures pupils:
• Develop fundamental movement skills, coordination and physical fitness
• Build confidence and competence across a range of sports and physical activities
• Learn the importance of teamwork, fairness and respect
• Develop resilience, determination and leadership skills
• Understand how physical activity supports health, wellbeing and emotional regulation
• Experience a wide range of sporting opportunities that encourage lifelong participation in physical activity
Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Physical Education and is designed to ensure that pupils develop both physical skills and the character traits needed to succeed in sport and life.
Character & Arts Alignment
Physical Education plays a central role within the Smallthorne Character & Arts curriculum, supporting the development of character, creativity and wellbeing.
PE contributes to the Character & Arts strands by enabling pupils to:
• Heritage – explore traditional and modern sports and physical activities that form part of British sporting culture
• History – understand how sport and physical activity have developed across time
• Performing & Expressive Arts – develop creativity and confidence through movement, dance and performance
• Sustainability – understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and lifelong physical activity
• Enterprise – develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sport and competition
Through PE, pupils develop the confidence to challenge themselves, support others and demonstrate resilience.
IMPLEMENTATION
Physical Education is taught consistently across all year groups through carefully sequenced units of learning that develop skills progressively from EYFS through to Year 6.
Our PE curriculum combines high-quality teacher-led lessons with specialist coaching and enrichment opportunities to provide a broad and engaging physical education programme.
Curriculum Structure
The PE curriculum ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum areas, including:
• invasion games
• striking and fielding games
• gymnastics
• athletics
• dance and movement
• outdoor and adventurous activities
• swimming and water safety
These areas are revisited across year groups so pupils can develop increasing confidence and competence.
Teaching Approach
PE lessons focus on developing physical skills alongside teamwork, cooperation and resilience.
Key features of teaching include:
• clear modelling and demonstration of skills
• progressive development of techniques
• opportunities for teamwork and collaboration
• structured practice and application in game situations
• reflection on performance and improvement
Teachers ensure lessons are inclusive and accessible so that all pupils can participate and achieve success.
Specialist Coaching and Enrichment
Specialist coaches support and enhance the delivery of PE across the school.
Provision includes:
• Bee Active coaching sessions to support high-quality teaching and skill development
• Staffordshire Cricket coaching to enrich pupils’ experience of sport
• teacher CPD and professional development to strengthen subject knowledge and pedagogy
These partnerships ensure pupils benefit from a broad and expert sporting curriculum.
Swimming and Water Safety
Swimming lessons are provided for pupils in Years 4 to 6, delivered through weekly sessions over a 10-week programme.
Through these lessons pupils develop:
• water confidence
• swimming technique
• essential water safety knowledge
This ensures pupils gain the skills needed to stay safe in and around water.
Participation and Enrichment Opportunities
Pupils are encouraged to engage in a wide range of physical activities beyond curriculum lessons.
These include:
• sports clubs such as football, netball, cricket, athletics and kickboxing
• inter-school competitions and festivals
• community sporting events and partnerships
These opportunities promote enjoyment of sport and encourage pupils to develop a lifelong interest in physical activity.
Leadership and Character Development
Pupils in Years 4 and 5 can participate in the Sports Leaders Programme, where they develop leadership and communication skills by organising and supporting lunchtime activities.
This programme helps pupils build confidence, responsibility and teamwork.
Inclusion and Adaptive Teaching
PE lessons are designed to be inclusive for all pupils.
Teachers ensure that:
• tasks are adapted for different abilities
• pupils with SEND are supported to participate fully
• disadvantaged pupils are encouraged to engage in enrichment activities
• barriers to participation are removed wherever possible
Participation data is monitored to ensure equitable access to physical activity.
Monitoring and Assessment
Monitoring of PE includes:
• lesson observations
• pupil voice and feedback
• video and photographic evidence of performance
• assessment of skills progression
• tracking participation in clubs and competitions
This ensures that teaching remains high-quality and inclusive.
IMPACT
By the time pupils leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will:
• demonstrate secure fundamental movement skills and physical competence
• participate confidently in a range of sports and physical activities
• show resilience, teamwork, leadership and fairness
• understand how physical activity supports physical and emotional wellbeing
• demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own health and fitness
• show pride in representing the school in competitions and events
Measuring Impact
The impact of the PE curriculum is evaluated through:
• progression in physical skills and knowledge
• participation rates in PE and enrichment activities
• pupil voice demonstrating enjoyment and confidence
• evidence of teamwork, leadership and resilience
• readiness for the next stage of learning in Key Stage 3 PE
Through this approach, Physical Education at Smallthorne enables pupils to develop strong bodies, confident minds and positive attitudes towards lifelong physical activity.
Our pupils leave school ready to Smile, Strive and Shine.