At St Joseph and St Bede, we understand the importance of children gaining the knowledge and understanding of fundamental movement, developing physical confidence and the need for social, emotional and physical benefits for each child. We recognise that developing physical skills is only half the battle when it comes to physical education; memory, focus, motor skills, team work and mental health can all be vastly improved when regularly engaging in PE lessons. Building social skills and friendships during PE can help boost self-esteem, and in doing so improve a child’s mental health and personal development. Imparting an appreciation of school sport provides all children with a sense of belonging, witnessing the power of sport in bringing together not only school but also the local and global community through various sporting events.
The national curriculum for physical education aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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
Substantive and disciplinary knowledge in PE:
Substantive knowledge in PE is based on deliberate practice and development of specific skills that can be used in a variety of disciplines, sports and games e.g.:
- Running, jumping, throwing and catching
- Tactics within a team game e.g. strategies for attacking and defending
- Being able to perform specific actions, balances and movements in line with year group expectations
- Being able to swim confidently and competently over 25 metres
- Being able to perform a safe self-rescue in water.
Disciplinary knowledge in PE comes through opportunities for the children to choose and apply their own actions, balances, movements and skills. Once they have mastered the specific skills, they have opportunities to apply these within sports and games and therefore have to choose different strategies and the best way to approach different challenges. As they move through school, their skills and knowledge around tactics become more complex and they have to work collaboratively to make decisions. There are lots of opportunities for the children to evaluate their performances and reflect on how they will improve next time.
What is our Intent for PE at St Joseph and St Bede?
- To deliver a broad and knowledge-rich PE curriculum that develops the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding, so that they can perform with increasing competence and confidence in a range of physical activities.
- To provide positive sporting experiences with activities designed to be enjoyable, purposeful, vigorous and regular.
- To give every child the opportunity to engage in competitive sport, every school year through planned intra-school competitions.
- To develop a lifelong interest in physical activity, as well as developing positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.
- To provide a curriculum based upon a clear progression of skills and knowledge evident throughout the school.
- To develop social skills especially team work.
- To develop strength, mobility and physical endurance.
- To ensure all children experience success and overcoming personal challenges in sport.