Intent, Implementation, Impact
INTENT:
At Dropmore Infant school we aim to inspire all children to develop a love of physical activity and sport. Through good physical education, our whole school values and a whole child approach, we aim to nurture confident, resilient children who strive for their personal best. We listen to our children’s wants and needs and provide them with a range of active experiences and clubs. We want to aid our children in obtaining the values and skills to become team players, celebrating and respecting the success of others, as well as modestly celebrating their own. We aim to ensure that our delivery of physical education allows all children, including those with SEN, EAL or from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop the skills and mindset to leave our school with the capabilities to be successful and enjoy their sporting challenges and active lifestyles at their next school and beyond. We strive to educate our children and their families to develop a greater understanding of how to live healthy lifestyles and make healthy choices. We are dedicated to ensuring healthy minds, as well as bodies and support our children's wellbeing as a priority. We have strong links with local clubs and partnerships within our community to ensure the children and families receive the support and knowledge they need to live healthy, happy lives.
IMPLEMENTATION:
PE at Dropmore Infant School provides challenging and enjoyable learning through a range of sporting activities including; invasion games, net & wall games, striking and fielding games, gymnastics, dance and yoga. Our PE lessons follow “Get Set 4 PE” which ensures the requirements of the National Curriculum are fully met through fun, stimulating sequences of lessons with effective progression of children’s skills and knowledge from EYFS to the end of KS1. All children have full access to our active PE curriculum, whatever their needs or ability, with carefully planned resources and support in place to aid understanding and mobility.
EYFS:
In the EYFS the Prime Areas of Learning, which include Physical Development, Personal Social and Emotional Development and Communication and Language underpin the development of other critical skills for learning such as reading, writing and attention. As such, our PE curriculum is an area of great importance with elements transferred to everyday lessons and experiences using both the indoor and outdoor provision. Specific opportunities have been developed for children to learn and practise specific skills including balancing, climbing, jumping, throwing and catching, kicking and moving in a range of ways. Children in Reception take part in a one-hour discrete PE lesson each week which focuses on developing fundamental movement skills using a varied range of equipment including benches, balls, mats and gymnastic apparatus.
Additional opportunities for short bursts of movement are built in throughout the day with the use of yoga, dough disco and active storytelling. In the EYFS, children are introduced to the word ‘healthy’ and what this means. Children are given opportunities during their PE lessons and other appropriate activities within provision such as our whole school "Mile a day" to observe and discuss the physical effects that being active has on their bodies. Adults plan focus activities during the academic year which enable the children to explore a range of foods and develop an understanding of which are healthy or unhealthy and the reasons why.
KS1:
In KS1, children take part in two, one-hour PE sessions a week which teach a wide range of skills through invasion games, net and wall games, dance, yoga and gymnastics. Children build on the fundamental skills and knowledge taught in EYFS and aim to master fundamental movement skills such as running, throwing, jumping and catching as well as beginning to develop balance, agility and coordination. Children are introduced to team games as well as individual sports. Basic competitive tactics are introduced to the children so that they develop confidence, modesty and resilience when competing against other children, teams or themselves. These themes as well as those associated with the importance of a healthy lifestyle are further enhanced through our PSHE and Science curriculum as well as whole school enrichment activities. Parents are able to track their children’s development in PE through regular updates on Class Dojo and at Parent's Evenings, as well as being invited into school to support their children during events such as Sports Day.
In addition to PE lessons, children are encouraged to participate in the varied range of extra-curricular activities that we offer at lunchtimes and after school. Our children continue to develop their skills through opportunities for play in our stimulating and active outdoor area and learning environments.
Children and their families are invited to attend competitive sporting events such as sports day and the annual football festival that we host for local schools. Our termly Inter-house competition is a highlight for children and staff. All children take part in our annual country dancing festival which is well loved within the wider school community. This inclusive approach endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also mental well-being. Our events develop teamwork and leadership skills and are very much enjoyed by the children and the wider community.
IMPACT:
Children leave Dropmore Infant School having developed a love of sport and physical activity both in and out of school, with this continuing on to their next school placements and later life. All children are able to discuss the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how this is achieved as well as demonstrate skills that underpin success in life such as teamwork, sportsmanship, self-motivation, resilience and independence.
The impact of our PE curriculum is measured by:
- In school attainment tracking
- Teacher voice – Staff meetings, questionnaires, feedback
- Pupil voice – Focus groups, assemblies, questionnaires
- Subject leader monitoring – Learning walks, action planning, CPD
- Governor monitoring – Governors meetings, learning walks, attendance at events