Physical Education

INTENT

At Arden Primary School, we recognise that physical activity and sport are essential parts of a child’s everyday life and are key factors in their future well-being. We want every child to find enjoyment in physical activity and aim to provide them with a wide range of opportunities so that they can discover the right kind of activity for themselves and experience the benefits that an active lifestyle can provide. We aim to present them with opportunities to compete against themselves and others, work in partnerships and teams, build self-confidence and perseverance, and achieve the real sense of accomplishment that this particular aspect of a child’s education can provide. A key part of this will be to engage their enthusiasm and provide them with the necessary skills and experiences so they are in the best position possible to further engage in physical activity and sporting opportunities as their educational and life journey continues beyond this establishment. Our aim is to prepare and support pupils towards healthy and active lifestyle choices for their future mental and physical well-being.

A key part of our aim is to provide the children with a broad and balanced curriculum within physical education and to offer opportunities for the children to participate in festivals and compete in a wide range of events. In doing so, we aim to teach the children to follow the conventions of fair play.

The aims of Physical Education (PE) at Arden Primary School are that all children:

- adopt an active lifestyle and understand the benefits it provides
- develop a range of sporting skills across the national curriculum, including swimming
- are physically active for sustained periods of time
- engage in a range of competitive sports and activities
- lead healthy, active lives
- understand the importance and effect of exercise and being healthy
- develop a sense of fair play and a sporting attitude
- enjoy sporting activities and have fun, developing resilience and perseverance

At Arden, our Physical Education (PE) programme is delivered in collaboration with high-quality sports coaches from Footytotz, LSC, Kerry Upton Dance, and the Manchester United Foundation. Pupils from Nursery age to Year 6 participate in two one-hour PE sessions each week. The skills taught in each lesson focus on a specific sport, which changes on a half-termly basis, as determined by the class teacher, PE coordinator, and specialist sports coaches, in line with the National Curriculum.

All pupils take part in three terms of swimming lessons during Years 4 and 5 at Romiley Leisure Centre. These sessions are led by two qualified swimming teachers, with class teachers supporting higher ability groups following initial assessments. Teachers receive a lesson plan at the beginning of each session, and key skills are demonstrated by the swimming teacher. Children are assessed against the National Curriculum aim of swimming 25 metres confidently, using a variety of strokes and demonstrating basic life-saving skills.

Arden maintains strong links with our local cricket club and the Cheshire Cricket Board, often involving professional coaches to lead sessions in school. Our Physical Education and Sport Premium (PESP) allows us to be part of the Manchester United Foundation, benefiting from expert teaching one day a week from their advanced skills coach, alongside continuous professional development (CPD) for all KS1 and KS2 teachers.

We regularly participate in Manchester United tournaments and local festivals across various sports, including football, netball, cross country, and rounders. The PESP also funds free extra-curricular sports clubs for children of all ages, including football, netball, basketball, cricket, and dance. This comprehensive PE programme ensures that all Arden pupils receive high-quality physical education, promoting fitness, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sport.

The impact of the PE curriculum at Arden can be seen through:

  • Our children learning to take responsibility for their own health and fitness and many also enjoying the success of competitive sports
  • Our children being inspired to have a love of sport and to grow up to have happy and healthy lives; utilising the skills and knowledge they have acquired through PE
  • Our children becoming stewards of their own learning (both in and out of the classroom) and supporting their peers to develop and excel in sport and across the curriculum
  • Our children showing a willingness and ability to try new sports and activities, push themselves and persevere in light of new challenges