Physical Education

Intent

At Yealand Church of England Primary School we recognise the importance of providing all children with opportunities to engage fully in Physical Education (PE). Through PE, children acquire not only physical skills, knowledge and understanding, but also the awareness and importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the importance of physical activity. PE embeds the values of sportsmanship, fairness and respect. We hope that, through the sporting opportunities and physical activity we offer, the children will develop a love and passion for sport and continue this beyond our school gate and into their later lives. We aim to provide an exciting broad and balanced curriculum that extends the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Implementation

At Yealand Church of England Primary School, we are committed to provide at least 2 hours of high-quality physical activity per week for all our children. All taught within an environment in which children enjoy and are challenged to experience a range of sports to sports and are all able to feel success.

PE activities are built upon the prior learning of the children. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in each activity area, there is progression planned, so that the children are increasingly challenged as they move up through the school

All pupils are provided with a variety of opportunities throughout the school day to increase the time that they can be physically active. During active play times, lunch times and after school clubs.

In Little Owls (Nursery) and Robin Class, children focus on coordination, confidence, competence, cooperation and challenge. This is delivered to them through their curriculum, of which Physical Development is a prime area of learning and is recognised as a foundation to support development in all other areas.

All children have the opportunity to undertake activities that offer appropriate physical challenge, both indoors and outdoors, using a wide range of resources to support specific skills; both gross and fine motor.

In Swallow Class, children focus on coordination, confidence, competence, cooperation, challenge, communication, collaboration and competition. They build on the skills taught in Robin Class and begin to link these together to develop mastery in all areas of the subject.

Children in Key Stage 2 have access to swimming lesson through Mad About Swimming, at Capernwray pool to ensure that they are able to achieve the National expectations of swimming.

In the Year 2024-2025, 80% of Year 6 were at the expected level.

Impact

At Yealand Primary Church of England Primary, we motivate our children to participate in a variety of sports through high-quality teaching that is engaging and fun. From our lessons, our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness and equip them with a passion for sport which they can extend in out of school activities.

Assessment

As with all aspects of the curriculum, ongoing assessment takes place in PE. Teachers use this information to inform next steps, assess pupil knowledge and understanding alongside the application of skills. Termly assessments are recorded on the Dimensions Tracker. This data is analysed on a termly basis, to inform and address and trends or gaps in attainment as well as finding strengths and weaknesses. Children in the Early Year’s Foundation are assessed within Physical Development and their progress is tracked using the Dimensions Tracker.

Age related expectations levels are reported to parents at the end of the year for all.

Children who are seen to be performing under their age-related expectations are provided with additional support to develop and strengthen both their gross and fine motor skills; while children who are excelling are signposted to extra-curricular activities to extend their skills and further coaching opportunities are sought in school.

Provision in 2025-2026

This year we have worked alongside Dallam PE Partnership to access weekly sports provision; Lancaster and Morecambe Sports Network; Miss Helen Dance; Morecambe Football Club; Mad About Swimming, SuperBall Paul and Kendal Ski Club to provide an exciting broad and balanced Physical Development curriculum for our children.

We continue to have weekly forest school sessions for our EYFS and Key Stage 1 children and then half termly Key Stage 2 sessions too, all within our own forest. In the Summer term, we also have weekly Beach School sessions too.