Physical Education
Intent
At Dorothy Barley Infant School, we believe that a high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. We provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way that supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect, which link to our school values. Our broad Physical Education curriculum, alongside enrichment opportunities, provides children with a strong foundation for PE into Key Stage Two and beyond.
PE At Dorothy Barley Infant School
Implementation
At Dorothy Barley Infant School, the key knowledge and skills that children acquire and develop throughout the PE curriculum have been mapped to ensure progression between year groups throughout the school. We build progressive knowledge and skills in the areas of dance, gymnastics, invasion games, net/wall games, target games, striking and fielding and athletics. Children are also explictly taught health, fitness and wellbeing alongside evaluative skills and teamwork. In the Early Years Foundation Skills, there is a focus on Fundamental Movement Skills as the building block for later Physical Education.
The long-term plan for PE sets out the units which are to be taught throughout the year and ensures that the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. Pupils participate in two hours of high quality PE lessons each week. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. Opportunities for physical activity are also a focus for break and lunchtimes. Children understand the central role of physical activity within a healthy lifestyle.
Vocabulary relating Physical Education is identified and taught progressively across the school. Children are provided with many opportunities to use this new vocabulary in the context of their PE lessons.
Sparking Curiosity – Our Physical Education curriculum is broad and provides children with opportunities to experience a range of new sports.
Hands-On and Active Learning – Physical Education lessons are designed to maximise the time that children spend directly engaged in physical activity.
Independence – Through progressive planning of key skills, children have many opportunities to work independently at a suitable level.
New Knowledge and Skills – The Physical Education curriculum is sequenced progressively to ensure prior learning is referred to and built upon. Key skills for each sport are embedded and developed as children progress through the school.
Empowering Experiences – Our Physical Education curriculum is designed to expose children to a wide range of sports and sporting activities, as well as being enriched with opportunities for physical activity outside PE lessons.
Curriculum Planning
Physical Education Progression Grid
Early Years Foundation Stage
Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives. In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we have a strong focus on securing fundamental movement skills. Through PE lessons and other planned opportunities for physical development, children develop core skills such as balance, coordination, agility and control. We provide a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities that allow children to run, jump, climb and explore different ways of moving. These early experiences are designed to build confidence in physical abilities and secure fundamental movement skills. This gives our children strong foundations for future Physical Education, as well as developing healthy bodies and promoting lifelong health and wellbeing.
EYFS Physical Development Progression Grid
Physical Education Knowledge
Our curriculum overviews detail the key PE content required for each unit of work. These are shared with children and families at the beginning of each half term to help enhance learning.
