Our Physical Education Curriculum: Learning together, having fun

Our work is planned in accordance with the National Curriculum for Physical Education 2014, which aims to ensure that all children:

• develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• are physically active for sustained periods of time
• engage in competitive sports and activities
• lead healthy, active lives.

We are pleased to offer at least 2 hours of sports education as part of our school curriculum, with a variety of other opportunities delivered outside of school hours as our commitment to achieving these aims.

Games and Gymnastics

Miss Griffin, our sports coach, plans and delivers a varied P.E. curriculum with the support of other staff members and in collaboration with the class teachers. Children learn to play all kinds of sports such as cricket, netball, badminton, handball and tag rugby, as well as a course of gymnastics in the spring term and athletics in the summer. All lessons involve an element of SAQ (Speed Agility and Quickness training) to build up their stamina, as well as practising individual skills, learning fair play and team tactics.

Our teaching and learning recognises the seven values associated with the Olympics and our teams colours represent the Olympic rings. These are made up of three Olympic values – Friendship, Respect and Excellence – along with the four Paralympic values – Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality. These values underpin the way we approach sports at Redmile CE Primary School.

Dance

Our dance teacher, Miss Cheryl, works with all classes, delivering a varied programme which excite and motivate the children. Children will learn a range of dance styles, building up to a performance to the rest of the school and community. They participate in local dance competitions as well as incorporating dance routines into our school performances and celebrations. Dancing is really helping to develop the fitness of the children along with teaching them some cool new moves!

Physical Development in Reception

Physical development in Reception is a slightly broader area than just P.E. Children will learn skills such as walking, running, skipping, jumping, balancing and not bumping into things. As well as developing the gross motor skills that are required to move about safely, children also need to develop control of all the smaller muscles which, for example, move when we pick something up – these take time to develop and come through using and playing with objects such as cutlery, cars, jigsaws, construction activities and other playthings.  From this the children develop body-confidence which encourages them to want to push a car along a track, ride a trike, climb on a stump or jump in a puddle.

As children develop control and coordination they eventually learn how to handle items such as a pen or pencil, a pair of scissors and a paint brush.  Apart from the free flow curriculum planned to enable the children to access activities designed to develop their physical ability such as those mentioned above, the children will join in with additional activities planned by Mr Atkins and Miss Cheryl, as well as accessing further experiences each day.

Tournaments/Competitions

Our children have the opportunity to participate in inter-school competitions as well as tournaments against groups of other schools in the Belvoir and Melton area. These have also led us to participate in events in wider parts of Leicestershire, including county championships. We enjoy friendlies against our partnership schools and always look forward to seeing our children shine in the spotlight of each sporting venue, including cross country events, football matches and hockey on all-weather surfaces. Some events, including those for our youngest children, are held at Belvoir Prior Academy which really helps develop their confidence as they become more familiar with being in a larger setting, with talker children!

School sports day

Our annual sports day occurs during the summer term. Here all parents, carers and children participate in a morning of competitive races. The children are placed into their family teams and compete against each other in the same year groups through a range of races, such as object pick-up, egg and spoon, obstacle, sprint and relay, followed by a toddlers race and of course, mums ‘n’ dads races. At the end of the morning, the children take part in an awards ceremony, where the points achieved by each team member throughout the day are counted up to give us our school champions.

After School Sports Clubs

Our club is open to all Key Stage 2 children, throughout the year and is run by Mr Atkins. It includes football, basketball, dodgeball, cricket and many more! Mr Atkins selects the programme based on the interests of the children as well as helping them to prepare for tournaments. It is a popular club as they have so much fun. Recently, other clubs have included fencing and spy club.

Swimming

Children in KS2 have weekly swimming lessons during the autumn term. A team of staff and family members help with supervision travel to the Leisure Centre in Bingham, where there are two pools for all abilities. The children are taught by fully qualified swimming instructors. Children work towards specific targets and are rewarded with certificates when they complete each stage. More able swimmers are taught aspects of survival training, whilst new swimmers are sensitively encouraged to feel safe in the water before learning correct strokes and water skills.

See the Sports Premium page for further information.