Physical Education
Intent
We recognise the importance of physical education not only during a child’s time in school, but throughout life. Our aim is to provide a high-quality PE curriculum that inspires all children to succeed and develop a lifelong love of physical activity.
Our curriculum follows the national curriculum and enables pupils to:
- develop competence across a broad range of physical activities
- be physically active for sustained periods of time
- engage in competitive sports and activities
- lead healthy, active lives
We want children to build knowledge, skills and vocabulary across a wide range of sports, whilst also developing important values such as tolerance, fairness, respect, co-operation and resilience. Through enrichment, competition and the use of our school grounds, we raise the profile of PE and ensure children experience a broad range of activities, including those they may not otherwise encounter.
Implementation
At Mount Pleasant, we use Beyond the Physical to support a broad, balanced and sequential PE curriculum from Early Years to Year 6. This ensures clear progression in skills, knowledge and understanding across the school.
We work in partnership with our local sports partnership to provide weekly specialist PE teaching, alongside ongoing professional development for staff. A Lunchtime Sports Lead also encourages children to remain active during playtimes and supports less active pupils to take part in enjoyable physical activities.
PE is closely linked to PSHE, DT and Science, helping children to understand the importance of healthy lifestyles, balanced diets, physical fitness and good mental wellbeing. Our curriculum also supports SMSC development by providing opportunities for children to perform, lead, coach, collaborate and compete with respect and fairness.
Inclusion is central to our approach, and we value diversity as an important part of learning how everyone can be active and healthy. Children are assessed at the end of each unit against the intended outcomes.
We also offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities, including clubs and competitions in football, badminton, running, fitness, tennis, dodgeball, athletics and basketball. All children take part in Sports Day, and external providers support wider health initiatives such as Scoot Fit, Bikeability and Walk to School Week.
Our school also promotes participation in sport beyond the curriculum, including a strong focus on girls’ football. In recognition of our wider sporting commitment, Mount Pleasant has been awarded the Gold Mark for Sports Games. Our trained UKS2 Sport Leaders also help to promote activity across the school day, including through initiatives such as the Daily Mile.
Impact
As a result of our PE curriculum, children develop the fundamental skills needed to take part confidently in a range of sports and activities. They are supported to achieve their personal best and understand the value of physical activity, healthy living and teamwork.
Pupils leave Mount Pleasant with a strong understanding of fair play, good sportsmanship and the importance of staying active. By the end of Year 6, children are also expected to meet the national swimming requirements, including swimming 25 metres and demonstrating self-rescue skills.
Pupil Voice
Feedback from pupils demonstrates that they enjoy all aspects of the PE curriculum and activities we enter outside of school hours too. However, they do prefer the more competitive side of the sports curriculum. Our children would also like to extend how much time they have for lessons.
Scoot Fit was extremely popular and well received by all pupils right from reception up to Year 6 so we will be investing in sets of scooters for year groups.
