PE
Intent
At Canada Hill, our PE curriculum aims to inspire every child to develop a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity through high-quality, fun and engaging sequences of lessons. We provide a wide range of opportunities that enable all children to develop their physical competence, confidence and understanding, regardless of initial ability. Our curriculum is systematically designed to develop fundamental movement skills alongside dance & gymnastics, ball skills, athletics, invasion games, net/wall and striking and fielding activities, allowing children to build upon prior learning and apply their skills with increasing confidence, independence and tactical awareness.
Through PE, children develop character and embody our school values of being Determined, Inquisitive and Courageous, taking Responsibility to work collaboratively and fairly, show Happiness when celebrating success, be Reflective when responding to challenge and demonstrate Compassion when appreciating their own and others’ strengths and areas for development.
We also recognise the importance PE plays in supporting physical and mental wellbeing, helping children understand the benefits of regular physical activity and make informed choices that contribute to a healthy, active lifestyle. Children can work alongside the kitchen team, making informed choices and understand the importance of a healthy diet.
Our curriculum is supported by the progression and resources within GetSet4PE, enabling staff to deliver well-sequenced, inclusive and ambitious learning experiences that allow every child to succeed and flourish. Each sequence follows certain Nation Curriculum objective, as well as Key Skills in four areas: Physical, Social, Emotional and Thinking. The Key Skills link to our school values and offer children a chance to reflect on their Personal Development. The activities supplied on GetSet4PE also feature during our lunchtimes, encouraging children to be active during their breaks.
Implementation
Our PE curriculum is sequenced to ensure that children progressively develop the fundamental movement skills, knowledge, understanding and confidence needed to become physically literate. From EYFS, children develop essential skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing, coordination and agility, giving them a better understanding of how their body works. These skills are constantly revisited during their time at Canada Hill. These foundational skills are applied and developed through a broad range of activities such as gymnastics, dance, ball skills, athletics, invasion games, net/wall and striking and fielding.
Lessons are designed to build upon prior learning with children increasingly expected to combine skills, apply tactics, make decisions, solve problems and perform with greater control, fluency and independence.
We recognise that each child has a different starting point, so teaching is adapted using equipment, space, rules and appropriate levels of challenge to ensure that all children can participate, have many moments of success and make progress.
With regular opportunities to work collaboratively and competitively children develop teamwork, determination, leadership and an understanding of fairness. This is further encouraged through extra-curricular clubs such as football, netball, martial arts and multi-skills which are offered to children across the school. Staff are supported by the progression and resources within GetSet4PE, ensuring that lessons are well-sequenced, inclusive and ambitious.
The curriculum is further enriched through further opportunities to compete, with each year group experiencing a range of multi-school festivals throughout the year, thanks to our association with Dartmoor School Sports Partnership, giving us access to a wide range of specialist Secondary School PE teachers. This enables children to apply their learning beyond their PE lessons and discover activities that may become lifelong interests.
Impact
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at Canada Hill know more, remember more and can do more in PE. The demonstrate increasing competence, control, fluency and confidence across a wide range of physical activities. They can combine and perform fundamental movement skills and apply them effectively across gymnastics, dance, athletics, invasion games, net/wall and striking and fielding activities. They understand and apply rules, tactics and strategies, using their increased decision making, leadership and teamwork skills, and can evaluate their own and others’ performances, highlighting strengths and areas for development.
Pupils also demonstrate strong physical literacy and positive attitudes towards physical activity. They understand the importance of regular exercise and can explain how physical activity contributes to physical and mental wellbeing. They make informed choices about leading a healthy, active lifestyle and recognise the importance of factors such as hydration and nutrition.
Pupils develop resilience, teamwork, fairness and respect through participation in individual, paired, team and competitive activities. They respond positively to challenge, success and disappointment, and bring to life our School Values through the world of physical activity.
As a result, pupils become confident, resilient and physically literate young people who are willing to challenge themselves, work collaboratively and participate positively in a wide range of physical activities. They understand that PE is not simply about sporting ability, but about developing skills, confidence and attitudes that can support lifelong physical and mental wellbeing. They leave Year 6 with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to participate in physical activity beyond school and make healthy, active choices as they move into Key Stage 3.