Physical Well Being
Intent
At Flitwick Lower, we aim to provide our children with a high quality PE and sports curriculum which establishes a lifelong desire to lead healthy, active lives. We recognise the importance of being physically active and the benefit this has in supporting children’s learning and development in all areas of the curriculum. We take a holistic approach to physical activity, and value its positive benefits in enhancing wellbeing, mental alertness, energy and positive mood. Physical activity is woven through many of the learning opportunities we offer through our creative curriculum, with the potential to have positive effect on the children’s behaviour, self esteem and ability to form relationships, both in school and the wider community.
Alongside developing a positive mindset towards physical activity, we also believe that our curriculum is key in promoting qualities such as perseverance, enthusiasm, tolerance and respect. It is our aim to ensure the positive values of sport are fully embedded throughout our curriculum and intertwined with our whole school ethos. An overarching vision and aim is that children’s experiences of physical education at our school is positive, motivating and has lasting impact.
Implementation
Through carefully planned training and development opportunities, all staff working with children have the skills and knowledge to plan and implement an exciting, motivating PE curriculum that allows all children to take part and feel valued.
Our PE curriculum is taught through use of the ‘Real PE’ scheme, which is in-line with the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and the National Curriculum, and is used to aid teaching staff in their subject knowledge and planning of PE. Teachers are able to adjust and adapt lessons to suit the needs of their children and the scheme provides a strong basis of what is expected in each year group. We also use a wide range of additional engaging teaching materials to enrich our curriculum and give our children exciting and valuable experiences. We use and adapt support materials from the ‘Real PE’ platform, ‘Twinkl’, ‘Chance to Shine- Cricket’, ‘The Youth Sport Trust’ and ‘Luton Town FC’, along with materials supplied by our local sport partnership.
We ensure that children are physically active for sustained periods of time across the school day to encourage and develop gross motor skills, overall fitness and health, which is in addition to our timetabled PE sessions. We achieve this through promoting regular ‘brain breaks’ during classroom sessions to reinvigorate the children and increase concentration and attention. We also promote use of our outdoor play equipment and wooded areas during playtimes and lunch times, enabling the children to develop vital cognitive and social skills, whilst engaging in the exploration of risk taking and challenge, with opportunities to exceed personal limits.
A love of sport and physical activity is fostered through promoting wider school sports events and drawing attention to National events, which help to inspire participation in a broader range of sports and activities. We plan a number of fun and exciting events throughout the school year, which also aid in promoting a sense of belonging through a collective experience. Our annual ‘Fun Run’, ‘Santa Dash’ and Sports Day are always well received by the children, with the aim that they build and gain confidence in their involvement in the wider school environment and community.
Children across Key Stages 1 & 2 are given various opportunities to participate in competitive sports and activities both within PE lessons and through intra-level competitions, provided by our local sports partnership. A focus has also been placed on engagement amongst children who thrive in a less competitive environment, with a range of festivals developed to ensure children are entered at the right level of competition, to maximise success for all.
What does the subject look like?
Pre-school & EYFS
Our Early Years Framework places physical development as an underpinning principal of early child development. Children in our Early Years settings are encouraged to actively engage with their environment, with ample opportunity to explore their surroundings both in class and in the outdoor provision, including our wooded areas. Children are supplied with a range of resources to investigate, encouraging the development of dexterity, co-ordination and strength. In the Foundation Stage, a weekly timetabled PE session allows the children to further develop fundamental physical skills by taking part in a range of games and activities that improve agility, balance and coordination. Movement-oriented activities, such as parachute activities are a regular staple in our physical activity provision; providing rich potential for promoting children’s communication and language skills; also a key principal of the Early Years Curriculum.
Key Stage 1
Children will continue to build and develop the fundamental skills taught in the Early Years and begin to apply them in a range of sporting activities, including the progression of skills that maximise sporting performance at competition level. Children are given the opportunity to set personal challenges in their physical achievements and widen their knowledge in developing tools that support positive mental health and wellbeing. Children across the Key Stage take part in 2 hours of timetabled PE per week, in line with government guidelines.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, children develop and build upon previously taught knowledge, skills and techniques and apply these in a range of sporting activities. The children become increasingly more involved in competitive sports and apply other taught principles such as leadership, perseverance and resilience. Children are encouraged to identify where improvements to performance can be made and how to evaluate and recognise their own and others’ achievements. Key Stage 2 children are also given the opportunity to participate in outdoor and adventurous activities and swimming; a vital lifelong skill. All children are given the opportunity to participate in competitive sport through regular competitions and festivals, organised by our local sports partnership. Children in Key Stage 2 also have the opportunity to demonstrate the values and disciplines they practice in PE, in their role as Play Leaders. The Play Leaders help to promote active playtimes and lunchtimes, and act as role models in demonstrating our core values in keeping fit and healthy.
Impact
Our children will enjoy PE, be highly engaged and thrive at each level of development. They will aspire to be fit and healthy individuals, with a knowledge and understanding that allows them to clearly identify links between good physical heath and good mental health. Alongside developing fundamental movement skills, we aim to inspire children to become advocates of healthy living, willing to take on challenges and learn from their experiences, toward leading a fulfilling life.
Physical Education is an integral part of our curriculum and we strive to create a culture which aims to inspire a more active generation; motivated to thrive, progress and achieve in their Physical Education and, to be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to look after both their physical health and mental well-being. Our curriculum aims to improve the fitness and well-being of all children, not only through the key skills taught, but also through the underpinning values and disciplines that PE encourages and promotes. Our children will develop the skills and stamina to remain physically active for sustained periods and will make well-informed decisions to lead healthy and active lives. We aspire for children to adopt a positive Growth Mindset towards maintaining healthy, active lifestyles and aim to embed core life-values that allow our children to practice tolerance, fairness and determination in all aspects of their lives.