At St Joseph’s we believe physical education benefits children in many ways and will set them up for a healthy and active future. Not only does exercise improve a child’s overall health and fitness, it helps to improve their mental health and cognitive development as well, by doing physical exercise, children are more likely to concentrate and maintain focus in lessons. As well as strengthening muscle and bones, exercise builds confidence, inspires positivity and improves social skills.

The intent of our PE curriculum is to provide all children with high quality PE and sport provision. We strive to inspire our pupils through fun and engaging PE lessons that are enjoyable, challenging and accessible to all. We want our pupils to appreciate the benefits of a healthy and physically active lifestyle.

• We aim to teach PE in order to include, challenge and support EVERY child.
• We aim to develop the key abilities children need to be successful within PE and Sport and across the curriculum.
• Throughout the year, we provide opportunities for children to represent St Joseph’s at sporting events promoting healthy competition and good sportsmanship.

At St Joseph’s we follow the National Curriculum for PE. We offer the children a wide range of sporting activities during their PE lessons. In EYFS, we develop the children’s fundamental movement and ball skills. These are then built on in Key Stage 1 as we begin to add in some net and wall, striking and fielding and target games. In Key Stage 2, these skills are built upon once again, as the children will participate in sports such as netball, rounders and tennis.

• All years take part in two, one hour lessons of PE per week.
• All sport is mixed so that all genders have the same opportunities.
• Teachers discuss sporting role models as part of the learning. Children have the opportunity to work with others within lessons, clubs and external competitions.
• The Early Years foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum follows the EYFS guidance for physical development. Teaching is supported by resources such as imoves.
• Teachers follow planning, provided by the PE lead for all lessons. These plans build up skills and knowledge and ensure progression throughout the school.
• In dance, teachers follow ‘imoves’ planning which provides age and topic related dance lessons with supporting videos.

During PE lessons:

• All pupils are included within lessons with high activity levels.
• Pupils are working at different and appropriate levels, with interventions personalised to challenge and support all groups.
• Consistent praise of positive behaviours means pupils have highly positive experiences in the subject and consequently want and expect to do well.
• Less able pupils are supported effectively and the more able appropriately challenged so all groups make clear and evidenced progress.