What is Physical Education?   

Beyond physical participation, the traditions and cultural reference points associated with sport and physical activity are part of our shared heritage. Without being taught the language of sport and physical activity, pupils can miss out on an enriching aspect of our communal life … our lives go better, not just longer. High quality PE therefore is a physical and cultural entitlement.

[Ofsted: Research and analysis Research review series: PE, March 2022]

Physical Education is an important component of Little Sutton Primary School’s curriculum.  At Little Sutton it provides opportunities for all our pupils to develop their ability to listen, co-operate and act responsibly and independently.  Through enjoyable physical activities – which include athletic and gymnastic activities, dance, games, swimming and outdoor & adventurous activities – pupils learn to extend and improve their body control, co-ordination, understanding of safe practice and their personal physical performance.

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 which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

[National Curriculum in England:  PE programmes of study 2013]

The National Curriculum for Physical Education aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• are physically active for sustained periods of time
• engage in competitive sports and activities
• lead healthy, active lives.

The children complete each key stage with a high proficiency in each aspect of PE.

Children are aware of the link between physical activity and good mental health and

understand it’s significance as part of a healthy lifestyle. The school achieves well in a

number of sporting activities and has achieved active school awards in recognition of its PE provision and children’s access to competitive sports, which the school has maintained.

Schools that have a culture of championing PE ( and the complementary role of the wider extra-curricular offer) can help all pupils to be their best, and can even rewrite pupils’ futures in terms of their lifelong engagement with, and enjoyment of, sport and physical activity.

[Ofsted: Research and analysis Research review series: PE, March 2022]

What do we aim for our children?

Pupils build upon their solid fundamental skills to apply and develop a broader range of skills, learning how to use them in different ways and to link them to make actions and sequences of movement. As part of their PE lessons they enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other. They develop an understanding of how to improve in different physical activities and sports and learn how to evaluate and recognise their own success.

By the end of Year 6, it is our intention that all pupils:

• use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
• play competitive games, modified where appropriate [for example, badminton,
• basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders and tennis], and apply basic
• principles suitable for attacking and defending
• develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance [for example, through
• athletics and gymnastics]
• perform dances using a range of movement patterns
• take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within team
• Compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.

For further information regarding our PE Curriculum and how it is taught please see the our Physical Education Policy below.

Additional information can also be found under our termly Year Group Curriculum maps and Curriculum Guidance notes for parents.