St. Mary's Catholic Academy – Physical Education Curriculum Statement
At St. Mary's Catholic Academy, we want every child to be happy and enthusiastic learners of Physical Education, and to be eager to achieve their very best in order to fulfil their God-given talents. We firmly believe that the recipe for success is high quality first-wave teaching in Physical Education, which is central to the life of our happy, caring school.
Intent – What we are trying to achieve?
Our principal aim is that children leave St. Mary's Catholic Academy with a wide range of happy and rich memories in Physical Education formed through interesting and exciting experiences that enhance a child’s awareness of their own abilities and strengths as a learner; thus ensuring that children see learning in Physical Education as an on-going process not a one-off event. Where possible links in PE will be made with curriculum vehicles.
• Children will meet the National Curriculum expectations in Physical Education, which will be taught by highly-qualified, enthusiastic staff who will support children to develop mastery of concepts and inspire enthusiasm and interest in the subject.
• All children will study Physical Education for 2 hours per week.
Opportunities will exist for children of all ages to experience learning beyond the classroom. This will allow them to enrich their knowledge by, for example, a residential visit to an outdoor education centre where they will experience activities such a canoeing, caving, climbing, abseiling and archery and develop skills such as teamwork, resilience and problem-solving.
Children will develop a deep understanding of the subjects they are studying. They will increasingly use their prior knowledge to solve problems and develop the sophistication of Physical Education.
Children will understand how Catholic Social Teaching Principles and British Values relate to Physical Education.
In Physical Education, children will develop the following skills- Thinking (evaluating and improving, leadership and decision making) Physical (fitness and performance) and Feeling (fairplay, respect and mindset).
Children will develop a real understanding and appreciation of the world learning from the best that has been developed and said. For example: local, national and international athletes, sports coaches and sports therapists.
All children will be able to swim 25 metres.
Implementation – How do we translate our vision into practice?
The curriculum hours in Physical Education are non-negotiable and will be followed by all staff in the school. Fixed timetables will be set before the academic year and monitored by the Senior Leadership Team of the school.
Subject specialists from our partner secondary school, Painsley Catholic College, are and will continue to be integral to the planning process. This will aid transition to Key Stage 3.
The subject leader for Physical Education will meet the senior leadership team on a monthly basis to evaluate provision in order to ensure that teaching and learning in Physical Education is outstanding. Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in Physical Education.
Carefully designed schemes of learning in Physical Education ensure consistency and progress of all learners.
Curriculum coverage may include guest speakers who are specialists in their field, fieldwork to relevant places of interest, innovative use of technology to name but a few.
Physical Education is taught individually but plays a key role in the achievement of the learning aims of the vehicle. For example, a focus on planning a local Olympics tournament for our MAC schools might see pupils visiting local sporting establishments and talking to sports professionals regarding health and safety of competitors. Pupils might consider a variety of events that require different skills.
Success criteria in every Physical Education lesson are set in order to guide children to achieve their potential. This ensures work is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum.
High quality teaching responds to the needs of children. Spiral learning is a key focus of all formative and summative assessment with teachers actively providing feedback in lessons in order to identify misconceptions early and to promote the highest level of physical fitness.
High quality input from experts and educational resources complement the delivery of specialist learning admirably. Children understand how Physical Education is used in the wider world including careers.
Swimming lessons will be provided by qualified coaches.
Children have the opportunities to take part in competitive sports.
Impact – What is the impact of our curriculum on the students?
Children are happy learners within Physical Education. They experience a wide range of learning challenges within the art and know appropriate responses to them.
Through Physical Education, children deepen their appreciation of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents.
Visits within Physical Education have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.
Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in Physical Education reflected in outstanding progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in Physical Education and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.
There is a proven track record of test success that reflects the impact of deep learning.
Clear outcomes focus and guide all Physical Education development plans and drive improvement.
Fundamental British Values are evident in Physical Education and children understand how it can celebrate difference.
Through this exposure, children will produce work that is influenced by the best of the best.
Children demonstrate agility, balance and co-ordination.
Children will be able to swim competently and confidently over a range of at least 25 metres.
Cultural Capital
During their time at St. Mary's, children will have the chance to experience some incredible opportunities as part of their physical literacy development. These include:
- Visiting and competing at a sports arena (Northwood Stadium)
- Competing in copious amounts of sports activities through Painsley North PE
- Visiting a famous sporting event Stoke City ( City Sevens)
- Meeting professional sports persons through Vocations week and also through wider links with clubs around school (Bee Active, ASM, Leek RFU & Stoke City)
