It is our intention when teaching the PE curriculum we develop the enjoyment of physical activity and strive to improve the importance of health and wellbeing. Our intention is to give children the opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding and apply these in competitive situations, with the vision this provides them with lifelong learning skills.
We strive to ensure that all our pupils receive a well-rounded learning experience when participating in different sporting activities, learning the importance of health and wellbeing and equipping them with the necessary values and tools to achieve in our school and beyond. It is our intention to engage pupils in the possibilities of sport to develop a passion for being active, healthy and the confidence to try new things and build resilience and determination with all they do.
At St. Edward’s, we recognise that in order for all pupils to progress they need to be confident across all of their objectives. Our PE curriculum covers the knowledge and skills outlined in the National Curriculum and ensures all children are given opportunities to be challenged to progress their learning further. Through our teaching of PE we aim to deliver the lessons in a meaningful context, giving purpose and wherever possible curricular links are exploited, particularly links with English, Maths, Topic, British and School Values.
In KS1, we provide opportunities for pupils to develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others. Over the course of the year this covers dance, gymnastics and a variety of games. We are striving to ensure they are able to engage in competitive and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations including competition.
In KS2, pupils should continue to apply and develop a broader range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement. We are determined that they enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other and that they develop an understanding of how to improve in different physical activities and sports, learning how to evaluate and recognise their own success. Over the key stage, pupils will continue to be taught dance, gymnastics and a variety of games along with athletics and Outdoor & Adventurous Activities. Year 4 children are taught swimming.
We strive to ensure that our pupil’s attainment is in line or exceeds their potential when we consider the varied starting points of all our children. Through our progressive skill based curriculum we are measuring the children’s ability, striving for them to meet their age-related expectations for their year group. We intend the impact of our PE curriculum will ensure children will leave our school prepared for the next step in their physical education and life beyond primary school.
While running our own Level 1 competitions within the school during PE lessons or at Break and lunch times, we are always aiming to enter a wide range of sporting opportunities and competitions throughout the year across the city. High placed finishes sometimes lead to qualification for Level 3 competitions. Our annual membership to the PSSP facilitates all of this. We also host our annual school games day/sports day which includes an opening ceremony parade. We close the year with an Olympic/Personal Challenge week, run by our Sports Leaders.
Physical Education is an essential part of a child's educational development. Here at St Edward's we aim to develop a well-balanced program offering a variety of sports and activities to encourage increased participation therefore enabling to build confidence, self-esteem and team work while enhancing skills and attitudes towards physical education.
St Edward's Church Primary School shares the Vision of the Plymouth School Sports Partnership:
"Our VISION is to create a sustainable PE, School Sport and Physical Activity system as part of the health and well being provision for all children. Our MISSION is to positively impact on the lives of every child at St Edward's through the opportunities that we provide to help them achieve at school and beyond. We promote the Olympic and Paralympic VALUES of Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality."