PE and Forest School

Purpose of study

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities.

It should provide:

• Opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way that supports their health and fitness.
• Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities that build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Aims

Our overall aim is that children will understand the benefits of activity to both their physical and mental health, as well as developing an enjoyment of different activities and sports with many children taking part in competitive sport.

When children leave Norton St Nicholas they will:

• Have developed competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• Understand how to be physically active for sustained periods of time
• Have engaged in competitive sports and activities
• Understand how to lead healthy, active lives.
• Have confidence, social skills, a sense of self-worth and emotional well-being in an outdoors environment.
• Be confident, hands-on learners (especially through Forest School)

______________________________________________________________________________________

The curriculum

In addition to this, children will attend a residential field trip in either Year 4 or Year 5 and again in Year 6.

Children across the school will take part in Forest School and other outdoor learning activities. Forest School takes place in our mini-woods at school. During a Forest School session, activities are provided but the emphasis is on the children exploring; this will take many shapes and forms, including den building, using a range of tools, cutting firewood and fire building, crafts, games, flora and fauna identification. The benefits of improved co-ordination and physical health from doing activities outside are enhanced by opportunities to develop imagination, intitiative, problem solving and perseverance.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Progression of knowledge and skills

Our overall aim is that children become proficient in a wide range of movement, games and team activities. As they move through the school, it is our intention that they become experienced in as many activities as possible and develop a core set of skills that they can apply to different activities and situations.

Each unit presents core skills which are built on across the sessions and the children are given opportunities to recap and develop during each session.

In Key Stage 1, the PE curriculum focuses on movement skills and ball handling with a development into small group and team games.

As they move into Key Stage 2, the children build on the knowledge and skills developed in Key Stage 1 and move into specific sports and games. By the end of Key Stage 2, the children will be proficient in a range of games and activities.