Our Curriculum

"PE in primary school isn't just exercise; it's where bodies get stronger, minds get sharper, and teamwork becomes a lifelong skill."

Skills of a great PE student

Here at Holy Rosary, we have outlined the 16 key skills that contribute to becoming a great PE student as:

Intent

At Holy Rosary Primary School, Physical Education (PE) is an integral part of our Curriculum that is inclusive and engages all pupils, in a supportive and challenging environment. We aspire for children to acquire, develop and refine their practical skills and techniques; to further their knowledge and understanding of PE concepts and principles and develop their overall competence, to enjoy, and excel in, a broad range of sports and physical activities.

We aim to deliver high-quality teaching and learning opportunities which enable all children to succeed; to enjoy their learning; to be resilient and consistently strive to give their best efforts at all times and achieve their potential and personal best.

Children participate in competitive sport and through this we teach children how to cooperate and collaborate effectively as part of a team and compete appropriately against others, adhering to the principles of fairness, sportsmanship and respect, values we hope to embed for future life.

We understand the importance PE, School Sport and Physical Activity has on childrens’ general health, fitness and mental wellbeing. We provide opportunities for all children to be physically active for sustained periods of time and we teach children the importance of leading healthy, active lives and making informed and appropriate lifestyle choices.

Swimming is an important life skill and we aspire for all children to leave primary school being able to swim at least 25 metres.

Implementation

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and carefully planned provision are designed to support children’s physical development. We offer daily playful opportunities for children to engage in physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Our children have access to free flow play for sustained periods of time and are encouraged to use our large outdoor environment including our mud kitchen, play equipment, bikes and scooters and climbing wall. The children access this environment all year round and in all weather conditions to support the development of gross and fine motor control, balance, coordination, confidence and problem solving skills. On top of this Reception begin formal PE sessions once a week taught by a qualified sports coach who aims to develop the children’s physical development, focusing on improving core strength and fine and gross motor skills.

In KS1 and KS2 children receive two high quality PE lessons per week, one indoor and one outdoor, ensuring children have access to two hours of physical activity a week. PE at Holy Rosary Primary school is taught by a combination of class teacher and qualified sports coaches.

Children are assessed at the end of each half termly unit using our schools bespoke Complete PE assessment, which tracks progress throughout the year.

Our schools Long Term overview is carefully mapped out to ensure a broad and full range of skills and activities are taught each half term throughout the year and that all the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met. Teachers use the Complete PE resources to ensure planning, content and delivery is age appropriate and that lessons across years are progressive.

Children in Years 2, 3 and 4 attend swimming lessons at the local swimming pool where they are taught to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of 25m using a range of strokes. Booster sessions are also held in the Spring and Summer terms for children in Years 5-6 who have not yet met the curriculum requirements.

In addition to PE in curriculum time, we also strive to provide opportunities for children to access extracurricular physical activity through a wide range of sporting and active clubs such as: multi sports, netball, cross country, dance, performing arts, badminton, hockey and football.

We also encourage active playtimes through the use of playground leaders and providing children access to a variety of equipment. All Year 5 children can become a Play Leader to support our younger children during lunch times. Training for this role is provided by our School Sports Co-ordinator. The Play Leaders develop into sporting role models for the younger children, assisting with and organising games at break times.

Physical activity is embedded throughout the school day through initiatives such as the Daily Mile which was introduced to ensure that we are giving children at our school the best possible chance of achieving the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Opportunities for children to compete in internal and external competitions are organised throughout the year which help build character and embed values such as fairness and respect. Although we enjoy the competitive nature of sport, we also appreciate and encourage the importance of children ‘having a go’ and promote positive experience of being physically active and not always participate to win.

The emphasis of our PE curriculum is inclusion for all children regardless of sporting ability. We provide suitable learning opportunities for all children, including those with SEND.

Impact

At Holy Rosary Primary School, we ensure that our PE curriculum is inclusive and progressive and allows all children the opportunity to acquire and develop fundamental knowledge, understanding, skills and techniques and apply these to a wide variety of different sports and activities. PE lessons are fun, enjoyable and challenging and all children can achieve, to the best of their ability, in a supportive, safe and stimulating environment.  Our pupils are physically active, and this has a positive impact on their learning in the classroom. Children understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle and understand the importance of regular exercise and activity for their physical and mental wellbeing. We aspire for all children to enjoy PE and develop a love of sport and physical activity, which hopefully becomes part of their future life outside of Primary School. Children have opportunities to participate in sport after school and within the community through the knowledge, understanding, skills and techniques they have learnt in PE. They can also represent Holy Rosary at sporting events from local to county level.

In PE, we also continually measure impact by:

• Pupil questionnaires
• PE Premium spend analysis
• Analysis of participation at after school clubs and LSSP competitions
• Assessment data

A day of physical education at Holy Rosary:

To ensure consistency and progression in key concepts and knowledge, from Years 1 to 6 we use and follow Complete PE. We are able to assess and monitor each pupil across the school with its assessment tool and the units within the scheme are always varied, engaging, and present pupils with opportunities to be creative, competitive and co-operative across a wide range of sports and activities.

 

During PE lessons, children face challenges as individuals, small groups or teams and they will learn to adapt their thinking to suit different challenges. Individuals are challenged, encouraged and given the confidence to refine the skills needed to progress at their own level. Opportunities are provided for individuals to demonstrate their learning, understanding and progress, allowing for effective assessment and next-steps planning.

 

To maximise the confidence of our teaching team, we are committed to offering yearly, bespoke CPD for all staff.  The Complete PE platform, also provides effective planning and teaching support and CPD for all staff. We also have access to training opportunities through the MADCOS School Sports Partnership, of which we are members.

 

The World Health Organisation states that ‘Children and youths aged 5-17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily’. At Holy Rosary we aim to give every child the opportunity to be physically active for at least 30 minutes each day.  We have fully embraced the Daily Mile over the past few years, supported by The Daily Mile Foundation.

 

   

   

The Daily Mile

The World Health Organisation states that ‘Children and youths aged 5-17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily’. At Holy Rosary, we aim to give every child the opportunity to be physically active for at least 30 minutes each day.  We have fully embraced the Daily Mile over the past few years, supported by The Daily Mile Foundation.

Enrichment

Over the past few years, our school has celebrated the culmination of each academic year with our highly successful 'Sports and Wellbeing Week.' This engaging event involves collaborations with external providers, enriching our students' experiences with sports and activities beyond the regular curriculum. This unique week introduces exciting opportunities such as the inclusive and innovative 'Wackit-Ball,' glow-in-the-dark UV dodgeball, Pilates, mindfulness sessions, and inspiring talks from Bronze, Silver, and Gold medal Olympians. These speakers share valuable insights on resilience, teamwork, and motivation with small groups and the entire school community.

 

Throughout these annual weeks, the energy is palpable as we host intra-school competitions, including the eagerly anticipated KS2 mixed ability, age, and gender football competition. The school buzzes with excitement during our fastest mile timed races and other intra-school events like the KS2 table tennis knock-out tournament, where every KS2 pupil actively participates. Culminating in our prize-giving ceremonies, these weeks feature Olympians, who not only inspire our students but also present medals, fostering a tangible connection between effort and success.

 

 Within our school community, our sports ambassadors play a crucial role, taking responsibility for our PE curriculum equipment and ensuring that our PE areas are organized and used correctly. The school play leaders contribute significantly by encouraging fair play and safe use of sporting equipment across both key stages. In Key Stage 1, they serve as admirable role models, while in Key Stage 2, they assist in setting up play equipment for various sporting games during the summer on the field and playground.

 

Our school playground has undergone a transformative change in recent years, now featuring an array of sporting equipment that enables more children to actively participate in physical activities. Through strategic timetabling, such as dedicating time for our outdoor gym equipment, we ensure that all pupils, guided by our welfare staff, have the opportunity to use the equipment regularly. Additionally, free access to table tennis tables and various coordination and cooperation equipment enhances the overall physical activity experience for our students. We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive environment where every child can thrive through sports and wellbeing activities.

 

Beyond the confines of regular curriculum hours dedicated to Physical Education, our unwavering commitment to the overall well-being of our students extends to the provision of extensive extracurricular opportunities, ensuring that they have access to a diverse array of sporting and active clubs. These inclusive initiatives not only supplement their physical fitness but also contribute significantly to their holistic development. Our offerings encompass a broad spectrum of activities, including but not limited to multi sports, netball, cross country, dance, badminton, hockey, performin arts and football. By fostering a rich tapestry of extracurricular options, we aim to ignite and nurture a passion for physical activity in each child, promoting not only a healthy lifestyle but also encouraging teamwork, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the benefits of an active and well-rounded existence.