PE for Life at Holgate Academy
Intent
At Holgate, we aim to develop a love of sport and physical activity in all children and inspire them to become lifelong active people when they leave KS2. We want all children to develop and improve the fundamental skills needed to access all physical activity such as invasion games, gymnastics or dance. Through our carefully mapped curriculum, children will understand the importance of healthy competition against either themselves (personal best) or other children. They will also develop an importance of an active and healthy lifestyle and the role that physical activity plays in achieving this as well as learning how to swim, basic survival skills in water and life skills. The curriculum is taught with our 6 Rs in mind. Above and beyond everything else, we promote resilience, particularly regarding participation in PE.
Implementation
Our ambition to foster a love of PE starts from EYFS. In EYFS, PE is one of the Prime Areas of Learning and underpins the development of other skills such as reading, writing and attention. As such, it is given lots of focus and is encouraged using both the indoor and outdoor provision. Specific areas and resources 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. They also access a one hour discrete PE lesson each week which focuses on developing a particular skill using a varied range of equipment including parachutes, benches, balls, mats and climbing apparatus. Additional opportunities for short bursts of movement are built in throughout the day with the use of yoga, the Daily Mile and other outdoor experiences. In the EYFS, children are introduced to the word ‘healthy’ and what this means. Children are given opportunities during their PE lessons and appropriate activities within provision to observe and discuss the physical effects that being active has on their bodies. They are encouraged to talk about how they link to 'being healthy'.
In KS1, children are taught two, one hour long PE sessions a week teaching a variety of invasion games, dance or gymnastics. Children build on the fundamental skills taught in EYFS and aim to master basic skill movements 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 tactics are introduced to the children as well as competitive sports whether that be competing against other children, teams or themselves. A healthy lifestyle is taught through Science in Year 2 which builds on prior knowledge from EYFS.
In KS2, children are also taught two, one-hour long PE session a week teaching a variety of invasion games, dance, gymnastics, Swimming (Year 3) and outdoor adventurous activities. Children will learn how to apply all knowledge and skills taught throughout their school journey in isolation and combination. We do this by recapping and receiving prior knowledge from previous lessons and previous year groups. In lessons, we ensure that children are keeping up with new learning, addressing any gaps in a timely and effective manner. Children have lots of opportunities to practise and hone their skills and understanding. They also develop an understanding of how to improve, evaluate themselves and others and recognise their own success. There is a bigger focus in both competition against themselves or other children through our competitive school teams (football and netball). Children are also provided with swimming lessons throughout Year 3 to allow them to meet the objectives outlined in the National Curriculum. PE is adapted when necessary to ensure it is fully inclusive and all children are engaged. Throughout KS1 and KS2, class teachers follow our progressive scheme of work. The aim of this is to see a clear progression of skills throughout their school journey. PE is partially delivered by our local partners, Wigan Athletic Community Trust, who worked closely with us to write our PE curriculum.
At the end of the year, there are separate, EYFS, KS1 and KS2 Sports Day where parents are invited in to support their children (Holgate is currently achieving Gold Standard in the Schools Games Mark for the 4th year running). We also provide after school and lunch clubs for all children, which are decided by the school council after they hold surveys in their class. We have achieved this award by ensuring all children represent the school in at least 1 event before they leave Year 6. This includes being involved in competitive and inclusive events.
Throughout school, we are also involved in the Daily Mile. This is an informal way of promoting exercise within school and is inclusive of all children. We are also proud to have an intra-school sports competition which is run and monitored by our Sports Leaders. By providing a new challenge each half term, children have an opportunity to practise fundamental skills at break times and lunchtimes. This challenge allows children to be competitive in many ways, competition against themselves, as well as with their peers.
Impact
Children leave school having a love of sport and physical activity both in and out of school, with this continuing into later life. We are proud that past pupils have gone on to play in the academies of local rugby teams and national football teams. Children will have worked on their own aspirations in relation to PE and this will be carried on after leaving KS2, with children continuing to participate for enjoyment or competitively as they move into high school. All children should be able to discuss the importance of a healthy lifestyle and how this is achieved as well as developed skills that link to our LEARN philosophy. Children leave Holgate leading an active lifestyle.
We work with School Games to ensure all children at school take part in physical games and activities on a regular basis at school. We want to give children the physical literacy skills to be confident and competed participants in school games.
The School Games will make a positive and meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through sport and physical activity.
The School Games will continue to put physical activity and school sport at the heart of schools, and provide young people with the opportunity to enjoy and learn through competition to achieve their personal best.
To celebrate the ongoing investment into the School Games, in July 2023 we committed to three School Games pledges through to 2025: