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Physical Education

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Physical Education

Intent

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, Physical Education sits at the heart of our Character & Arts Curriculum, supporting pupils to develop healthy bodies, confident minds and positive attitudes. Our intent is to provide a high-quality, ambitious and fully inclusive PE curriculum that enables every child—regardless of background, need or ability—to experience success and enjoyment in physical activity.

We aim to:

  • Build children’s physical competence, coordination and fitness through a progressive, well-sequenced curriculum.
  • Strengthen character, including resilience, teamwork, leadership, fairness and respect.
  • Promote wellbeing, confidence and emotional regulation through purposeful physical activity.
  • Encourage creativity in movement and expression, linking with our Character & Arts commitment to the whole child.
  • Ensure equitable access for SEND, disadvantaged and less-active pupils, removing barriers and providing tailored support.
  • Give children a breadth of opportunities—including competitive sport, performance, outdoor adventure and community activities—to nurture a lifelong love of movement and healthy lifestyles.
  • Enable pupils to represent the school and local community proudly, developing belonging, responsibility and aspiration.

Our curriculum reflects the national expectations while embedding Smallthorne’s values: Smile, Strive, Shine.

Implementation

PE is taught consistently across all year groups through carefully sequenced units that build knowledge and skill over time. Our delivery model blends:

  • Teacher-led lessons supported by high-quality planning, modelling and assessment.
  • Specialist coaching through Bee Active and Staffordshire Cricket to extend expertise and enrich provision.
  • CPD for teachers, ensuring strong subject knowledge and secure pedagogy.
  • Swimming lessons for Years 4–6, delivered weekly for 10 weeks, developing essential water safety and life skills.

Our long-term plan ensures full National Curriculum coverage, including:

  • Invasion games
  • Striking and fielding
  • Gymnastics
  • Athletics
  • Dance and movement
  • Outdoor and adventurous activity
  • Swimming and water safety

Additional features that align with Ofsted and Character & Arts expectations:

  • Progressive skill development built across phases to secure competence and confidence.
  • Adaptive teaching and accessible tasks for all learners, including those with SEND.
  • One high-quality PE lesson per week, supplemented by enrichment clubs (football, netball, cricket, athletics, kickboxing).
  • Regular inter-school competitions and festivals, promoting character, resilience and community connections.
  • Sports Leaders Programme (Years 4–5)—developing leadership, communication and responsibility through lunchtime activities.
  • Opportunities for creativity, performance and expression in movement and dance.
  • Strong links to wellbeing, healthy lifestyle education and personal development.

Monitoring includes observation, pupil voice, videos/photos of performance, assessment of skills, and participation data to track inclusion and impact.

Impact

Our PE curriculum has a measurable impact on children’s knowledge, skill development, attitudes and character, in line with Smallthorne’s and Ofsted’s expectations.

By the end of their time at Smallthorne, pupils:

  • Develop secure fundamental movement skills and age-appropriate proficiency across a broad range of sports.
  • Build resilience, teamwork, fairness, confidence and leadership—key components of our Character & Arts vision.
  • Understand how physical activity supports their mental and emotional wellbeing.
  • Demonstrate increasing independence, responsibility and pride in their health and fitness.
  • Participate widely, with improved engagement from SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
  • Represent the school confidently in competitions, festivals and community events.
  • Leave school with a lifelong appreciation for sport and physical activity, equipped with the knowledge and habits needed for healthy lives.

Impact is monitored through:

  • Pupil progress in skills and knowledge
  • Increased participation rates
  • Improved confidence, behaviour and teamwork
  • Pupil voice and wellbeing indicators
  • Readiness for next-phase learning (KS3 PE)

Overall, PE at Smallthorne enables pupils to Smile, Strive, Shine—building strong bodies, strong characters and strong futures.

PE Pupil Voice

  • Teachers and coaches show respect to us
  • They plan fun challenging lessons
  • They give support and offer challenge when needed
  • Reward children for doing well
  • Give children good instructions

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Physical Education

Physical Education

Intent

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, Physical Education sits at the heart of our Character & Arts Curriculum, supporting pupils to develop healthy bodies, confident minds and positive attitudes. Our intent is to provide a high-quality, ambitious and fully inclusive PE curriculum that enables every child—regardless of background, need or ability—to experience success and enjoyment in physical activity.

We aim to:

  • Build children’s physical competence, coordination and fitness through a progressive, well-sequenced curriculum.

  • Strengthen character, including resilience, teamwork, leadership, fairness and respect.

  • Promote wellbeing, confidence and emotional regulation through purposeful physical activity.

  • Encourage creativity in movement and expression, linking with our Character & Arts commitment to the whole child.

  • Ensure equitable access for SEND, disadvantaged and less-active pupils, removing barriers and providing tailored support.

  • Give children a breadth of opportunities—including competitive sport, performance, outdoor adventure and community activities—to nurture a lifelong love of movement and healthy lifestyles.

  • Enable pupils to represent the school and local community proudly, developing belonging, responsibility and aspiration.

Our curriculum reflects the national expectations while embedding Smallthorne’s values: Smile, Strive, Shine.

Implementation

PE is taught consistently across all year groups through carefully sequenced units that build knowledge and skill over time. Our delivery model blends:

  • Teacher-led lessons supported by high-quality planning, modelling and assessment.

  • Specialist coaching through Bee Active and Staffordshire Cricket to extend expertise and enrich provision.

  • CPD for teachers, ensuring strong subject knowledge and secure pedagogy.

  • Swimming lessons for Years 4–6, delivered weekly for 10 weeks, developing essential water safety and life skills.

Our long-term plan ensures full National Curriculum coverage, including:

  • Invasion games

  • Striking and fielding

  • Gymnastics

  • Athletics

  • Dance and movement

  • Outdoor and adventurous activity

  • Swimming and water safety

Additional features that align with Ofsted and Character & Arts expectations:

  • Progressive skill development built across phases to secure competence and confidence.

  • Adaptive teaching and accessible tasks for all learners, including those with SEND.

  • One high-quality PE lesson per week, supplemented by enrichment clubs (football, netball, cricket, athletics, kickboxing).

  • Regular inter-school competitions and festivals, promoting character, resilience and community connections.

  • Sports Leaders Programme (Years 4–5)—developing leadership, communication and responsibility through lunchtime activities.

  • Opportunities for creativity, performance and expression in movement and dance.

  • Strong links to wellbeing, healthy lifestyle education and personal development.

Monitoring includes observation, pupil voice, videos/photos of performance, assessment of skills, and participation data to track inclusion and impact.

Impact

Our PE curriculum has a measurable impact on children’s knowledge, skill development, attitudes and character, in line with Smallthorne’s and Ofsted’s expectations.

By the end of their time at Smallthorne, pupils:

  • Develop secure fundamental movement skills and age-appropriate proficiency across a broad range of sports.

  • Build resilience, teamwork, fairness, confidence and leadership—key components of our Character & Arts vision.

  • Understand how physical activity supports their mental and emotional wellbeing.

  • Demonstrate increasing independence, responsibility and pride in their health and fitness.

  • Participate widely, with improved engagement from SEND and disadvantaged pupils.

  • Represent the school confidently in competitions, festivals and community events.

  • Leave school with a lifelong appreciation for sport and physical activity, equipped with the knowledge and habits needed for healthy lives.

Impact is monitored through:

  • Pupil progress in skills and knowledge

  • Increased participation rates

  • Improved confidence, behaviour and teamwork

  • Pupil voice and wellbeing indicators

  • Readiness for next-phase learning (KS3 PE)

Overall, PE at Smallthorne enables pupils to Smile, Strive, Shine—building strong bodies, strong characters and strong futures.

PE Pupil Voice

  • Teachers and coaches show respect to us
  • They plan fun challenging lessons
  • They give support and offer challenge when needed
  • Reward children for doing well
  • Give children good instructions

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