Physical Education

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision.”

Muhammad Ali

Intent

At Elmridge, our intent is to develop physically literate children who have the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for lifelong participation in physical activity. Through an ambitious and inclusive Physical Education curriculum, we aim to inspire all children to enjoy being active, embrace challenges and develop positive relationships with movement, sport and exercise.

Our PE curriculum is designed to progressively develop pupils’ physical competence, movement skills, tactical understanding and knowledge of health and wellbeing. Through a broad range of sports, games, dance, gymnastics, outdoor adventurous activities and swimming, children learn how to move effectively, work collaboratively, compete fairly and evaluate their own performance. We want pupils to understand not only how to perform physical skills, but also why physical activity is important for their physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Through our values of Challenge, Care and Collaboration, pupils are encouraged to persevere, show resilience, support others and demonstrate respect in both competitive and cooperative situations. High expectations for participation, effort and achievement are embedded throughout our curriculum, ensuring all pupils are encouraged to strive for their personal best.

Physical Education contributes significantly to our wider curriculum ambitions. Pupils develop as Aspirational Leaders by demonstrating responsibility, sportsmanship and leadership within teams and sporting contexts. They become International Learners through exploring diverse sports, cultures and traditions from around the world whilst developing mutual respect and understanding. As Confident Communicators, children learn to use subject-specific vocabulary to analyse performance, explain tactics, provide feedback and collaborate effectively with others.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, can access and succeed within PE through adaptive teaching, appropriate support and carefully planned progression. Our aim is that every child leaves Elmridge with the confidence, competence and motivation to lead an active, healthy lifestyle and participate positively in sport and physical activity beyond primary school.

Implementation

Physical Education is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum, utilising the Oak National Academy resources, that builds knowledge, skills and understanding progressively from the Early Years through to Year 6. Learning is organised into a range of activity areas including fundamental movement skills, games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming, outdoor adventurous activities and leadership opportunities.

Lessons are structured to provide opportunities for pupils to develop physical competence alongside tactical awareness, decision-making and personal development. Teachers use explicit instruction, modelling, demonstration and guided practice to teach new skills before providing opportunities for application, refinement and competition. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit and build upon prior knowledge and skills over time.

Adaptive teaching strategies ensure all pupils can participate successfully in ambitious learning. Staff use scaffolds, modifications, targeted questioning and adapted equipment where appropriate to enable all children to access the curriculum whilst maintaining high expectations. Ongoing assessment informs teaching and supports pupils in making continual improvements to their performance.

Throughout PE, pupils are taught and encouraged to use accurate disciplinary vocabulary linked to movement, performance, tactics, fitness and wellbeing. Opportunities for discussion, peer coaching, self-evaluation and reflection enable children to articulate their thinking, analyse performance and communicate effectively with others.

Children regularly participate in collaborative and competitive activities where they learn to demonstrate teamwork, leadership, respect and sportsmanship. Daily opportunities for physical activity, including the Daily Mile, help pupils develop healthy habits and recognise the importance of regular exercise. Playground Leaders are trained to organise inclusive games and activities for younger pupils, developing leadership skills whilst promoting active play at lunchtimes. Outdoor adventurous activities, intra-school competitions and participation in local inter-school sporting events further enrich the curriculum, allowing children to represent the school, experience healthy competition and apply their learning in authentic contexts.

Swimming provision ensures pupils develop confidence and competence in the water alongside a secure understanding of water safety. Across all units, children are encouraged to reflect on the relationship between physical activity, health, wellbeing and lifelong participation in sport and exercise.

Impact

At Elmridge, we are committed to ensuring that all children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate successfully in physical activity and lead healthy, active lives. Through an ambitious curriculum and consistently high expectations, pupils become physically literate learners who enjoy challenge, work collaboratively and strive for continual improvement.

The impact of our Physical Education curriculum can be seen through the following key outcomes:

1. Physical Literacy and Personal Engagement

Developing Physical Literacy

Children develop the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding needed to engage successfully in a wide range of physical activities. They increasingly understand themselves as active learners who can participate, improve and enjoy movement in different ways.

Positive Relationships with Physical Activity

Pupils value being physically active and reco5gnise the benefits that movement and exercise bring to their physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing. They develop the confidence to participate, take risks, try new activities and remain active both in and beyond school.

2. Knowledge, Understanding and Healthy Lifestyles

Understanding Healthy Living

Pupils develop a secure understanding of how physical activity contributes to healthy lifestyles, wellbeing and long-term health. They recognise the importance of regular activity, healthy choices and personal responsibility for wellbeing.

Active and Informed Participants

Children make informed choices about participation in physical activity and understand how movement can support health, enjoyment, social connection and personal achievement throughout life.

3. Thinking and Communicating Like a Sportsperson

Disciplinary Knowledge and Vocabulary

Children acquire and use subject-specific vocabulary accurately to describe movement, explain tactics, evaluate performance and communicate ideas effectively.

Reflection and Decision-Making

Pupils analyse their own performance and that of others, identify strengths and areas for development and make informed decisions during physical activity. They apply tactical thinking, problem-solving and creativity across a range of sporting contexts.

4. Character, Leadership and Personal Development

Challenge, Care and Collaboration

Children demonstrate resilience, determination and perseverance when faced with challenge. They show care for others through encouragement, inclusion and respect and collaborate effectively within teams and group activities.

Leadership and Responsibility

Pupils develop leadership skills by organising activities, supporting peers, officiating games and demonstrating sportsmanship. They take responsibility for their own improvement and contribute positively to their school community.

5. Achievement and Future Readiness

Achievement for All

Children make strong progress from their individual starting points due to high-quality teaching, ambitious expectations and inclusive practice. All pupils are supported to achieve success and experience positive outcomes in PE.

Prepared for the Next Stage

By the end of Year 6, pupils leave Elmridge as physically literate young people who have the motivation, confidence, knowledge, understanding and physical competence to engage positively in physical activity. They understand the value of healthy lifestyles, demonstrate resilience and collaboration, and are well prepared to continue participating in physical activity, sport and recreation throughout their lives.

Clothing for PE

Bottle green shorts and yellow t-shirt
During cold weather, hoodies and tracksuits may be worn
Sensible trainers