“Sport is not only a form of entertainment, but also -- and above all I would say -- a tool to communicate values that promote the good that is in humans and help build a more peaceful and fraternal society.”

                                                            Pope Francis, 2014

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies”

Corinthians 6: 19-20

At St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School we believe all children should have access to a high quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum and PE should be an integral part of the whole school curriculum, to show how PE can enhance pupils' attainment and achievement. Our School recognises the benefits of high quality PE provision and school sport can give to all pupils. Our PE curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils develop physical literacy and the fundamental knowledge, understanding and skills to excel in a wide range of physical activities, by providing a broad & balanced curriculum with opportunities for all.

Our PE curriculum will contribute to healthy and active lifestyles; improve emotional well-being, reduce challenging behaviour, increase attendance and develop key skills such as leadership, confidence, social and team building skills.

We hope that all these opportunities will help our children to develop into well-rounded and balanced individuals all set for life's challenges.

Statement of Intent

It is our intention to build a fun high quality curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and enables children to develop knowledge, skills and vocabulary in a broad range of sporting activities, as well as developing values and transferrable life skills such as fairness, wellbeing and respect. We will provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way, which supports their health, and fitness, develops a need for healthy life styles, a balanced diet, positive growth mind-set, and the resilience to persevere with activities that they may have once felt too difficult. We are passionate about the need to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others, as part of a team, understanding fairness and equity of play to embed life-long values.

Implementation

• Children participate in high-quality PE lessons twice a week covering two different sports/skills per term.
• Teachers and sports coach use, plan to ensure lessons across years show progression in the five strands of PE we teach: games, dance, athletics, gymnastics and OAA.
• Children participate in a variety of competitive sports through KCSP, Dover and Deal School Games.
• Children attend swimming lessons in
• We provide children in KS1 and KS2 with opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities that are inclusive, enjoyable and increase children’s physical activity.
• Activities for children to participate in at lunchtimes with our sports coach.  Annually, the school celebrates ‘Sports Week’ to promote competition and a variety of physical activity, the week culminates with our whole-school Sports day.
• Where appropriate cross-curricular links are made where we encourage children to demonstrate their skills in maths and speaking and listening.
• Games, athletics and OAA are delivered by sports/outdoor specialists to provide CPD for all staff.

We teach lessons so that children: Have fun and experience success in sport, have the opportunity to participate in P.E at their own level of development, secure and build on a range of skills, develop good sporting attitudes, understand basic rules, experience positive competition, learn in a safe environment, have a foundation for lifelong physical literacy and physical activity, leaving primary school as physically active.

Impact

At St Mary’s Primary School, we ensure that our PE curriculum is progressive and allows children to develop fundamental skills and apply them to a variety of sports and activities. All children are provided with the skills and given opportunities to demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best. Our pupils are physically active and this has positive implications on their learning in the classroom. Children understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle and understand the importance of exercise. We hope children enjoy PE and develop a love of sport and physical activity, which they pursue outside of school and in future life outside of primary school. All pupils understand the values and importance of fair play and being a good sportsperson. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed our school values.