Physical Education at Manuden

At Manuden Primary School, we want every child to develop confidence, competence and enjoyment in physical activity.

Our PE curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ physical skills, fitness, teamwork and understanding of healthy lifestyles. We want children to experience success in physical activity, recognise the importance of being active and develop positive attitudes towards sport and exercise that can continue into later life.

How We Teach PE

PE is taught through a broad and balanced programme that develops pupils’ skills progressively over time.

Teaching includes opportunities to develop:

• fundamental movement skills;
• agility, balance and coordination;
• teamwork and cooperation;
• tactical understanding;
• confidence and resilience;
• physical fitness;
• communication and leadership; and
• an understanding of how physical activity supports health and wellbeing.

Lessons are structured so that pupils can practise, refine and apply skills in increasingly challenging situations.

Areas of Learning

Across their time at Manuden, pupils experience a range of physical activities.

These may include:

• games;
• gymnastics;
• dance;
• athletics;
• outdoor and adventurous activities;
• striking and fielding;
• invasion games;
• net and wall activities; and
• swimming.

The curriculum is planned so that children build on previous learning and develop increasing control, accuracy and confidence.

PE in Our Mixed-Age Classes

Our mixed-age PE curriculum is carefully planned to ensure appropriate coverage and progression across the school.

Where pupils from different year groups are taught together, teachers adapt activities, levels of challenge and expected outcomes according to pupils’ age, experience and individual needs.

Children are given opportunities to revisit and develop important skills while progressing towards increasingly demanding physical challenges.

Physical Development in Reception

Physical development is an important part of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Children in Reception have regular opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills through both planned activities and continuous provision.

They develop movement, balance, coordination, spatial awareness and confidence through indoor and outdoor learning.

These early experiences provide important foundations for PE in Key Stage 1.

Swimming

Swimming and water safety form part of the Key Stage 2 Physical Education curriculum.

Pupils are taught to develop confidence and competence in the water and to understand key principles of water safety.

We aim for pupils to meet the National Curriculum expectations for swimming by the end of Key Stage 2.

Competition, Teamwork and Leadership

Physical Education provides valuable opportunities for pupils to learn how to work with others.

Children are encouraged to:

• cooperate as part of a team;
• communicate effectively;
• follow rules;
• demonstrate fair play;
• respond positively to success and disappointment;
• develop leadership skills; and
• show respect for teammates, opponents and officials.

Where appropriate, pupils also have opportunities to take part in competitive sport within school and with other schools.

Healthy and Active Lifestyles

We want pupils to understand why physical activity is important.

Through PE and the wider curriculum, children learn about:

• the benefits of regular physical activity;
• fitness and stamina;
• the importance of warming up and cooling down;
• how exercise affects the body;
• healthy choices; and
• the relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing.

Our aim is to help children develop positive habits that support a healthy and active lifestyle.

Supporting All Learners

We want every pupil to participate successfully in PE.

Teachers adapt activities and resources where necessary so that pupils with different levels of confidence, experience or physical need can participate meaningfully.

Adaptations may include:

• modified equipment;
• adapted rules;
• smaller or larger playing areas;
• different levels of challenge;
• additional modelling;
• additional practice; and
• targeted adult support where appropriate.

We maintain high expectations while ensuring that PE is inclusive and accessible.

Assessment

Teachers assess PE through observation of pupils’ performance, participation and application of skills.

Assessment considers pupils’ development in areas such as:

• physical competence;
• control and coordination;
• tactical understanding;
• teamwork;
• decision-making;
• fitness; and
• ability to evaluate and improve performance.

Assessment helps teachers identify next steps and ensure that pupils continue to make progress.

PE and Sport Beyond Lessons

We aim to provide opportunities for children to experience physical activity beyond their regular PE lessons.

This may include:

• sports clubs;
• inter-school competitions;
• intra-school competition;
• sporting events;
• festivals; and
• opportunities to experience new sports and activities.

These opportunities help pupils develop confidence, enjoyment and a sense of achievement.

PE and Sport Premium

The Primary PE and Sport Premium supports schools to improve the quality and breadth of their PE, sport and physical activity provision.

Details of how Manuden Primary School uses its PE and Sport Premium funding can be found on our PE and Sport Premium page.

Key PE Information

• PE Curriculum Overview
• PE Progression
• PE Policy
• PE and Sport Premium

Find Out More

If you would like further information about Physical Education at Manuden Primary School, please contact the school office.

Email: office@manuden.essex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01279 813370