Intent

At Great Waltham Primary School, we intend for pupils to “Let all that you do be done in love” through Physical Education. We believe PE is essential in promoting both physical and mental wellbeing, helping to develop healthy habits, confidence and resilience that will support them throughout their lives. Our curriculum aims to inspire all pupils to enjoy physical activity, develop competence across a range of sports and activities, and understand the importance of leading healthy, active lives.

Implementation

PE is taught through a carefully planned and progressive curriculum that develops skills from EYFS to Year 6. Pupils receive a minimum of two hours of PE each week and benefit from active playtimes, lunchtimes and a variety of extra-curricular opportunities. Lessons build fundamental movement skills, physical fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy competition, while promoting our lifelong values of Aspiration, Strength, Perseverance, Integrity, Responsibility and Empathy. The curriculum is sequenced to ensure children continually practise, apply and refine their skills and knowledge.

Impact

Pupils leave Great Waltham Primary School as confident, enthusiastic and physically active learners who understand the importance of exercise for their physical and mental health. They demonstrate resilience, teamwork and respect, enjoy participating in sport and physical activity, and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to lead healthy, active lives beyond primary school.

How knowledge and skills build over time

Knowledge and skills in PE are carefully sequenced to ensure progression throughout a pupil’s primary education. In the early years and Key Stage 1, pupils develop fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing and coordination. As their confidence and competence grow, pupils begin to apply these skills in a range of simple games, dances and physical activities. In Key Stage 2, pupils build upon these foundations by refining techniques, developing greater control and accuracy, and applying their skills in more complex and competitive situations. They learn to link movements, use tactics and strategies within games, analyse performance and understand how to improve. Alongside physical development, pupils deepen their knowledge of the effects of exercise on the body, the importance of health and fitness, and the values of teamwork, leadership, respect and resilience.

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

We provide a wide range of enrichment opportunities to ensure all pupils can access and enjoy a broad and balanced school experience. These include:

• Participation in competitions and challenge events
• Access to specialist SEND-focused events and experiences
• Opportunities to try a variety of sports and physical activities
• Participation in sports clubs, Sports Week and Sports Day
• Educational trips and visits
• Visits from coaches and workshop providers

These experiences are carefully planned to promote inclusion, encourage participation, celebrate individual strengths and support pupils' personal, social and emotional development.

Progressive Vocabulary

How vocabulary builds

Pupils begin by learning basic action words and positional language before progressing to more sophisticated technical terminology related to movement, fitness, tactics, performance and evaluation. Repeated exposure and application of vocabulary across different PE units enable pupils to deepen their understanding and articulate their learning with increasing accuracy and confidence.

Find out more

You can find more information about what your child will learn in each year group through our curriculum maps and knowledge organisers. If you would like further information about our History curriculum, please contact the school office.