PE

Physical Education

The National Curriculum states that Physical Education in primary schools should inspire all children to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. It aims to ensure that children develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly competent and confident, and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination. children should be physically active for sustained periods, engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities, and lead healthy, active lives.

For more information on PE in school, please contact the school office.

Intent

The intent of Physical Education at Hetton Lyons Primary School is to provide an inclusive, ambitious and inspiring curriculum that enables all children to develop physical competence, confidence and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.

Through a broad and balanced programme of lessons and extra-curricular opportunities, children are encouraged to develop their aspiration by setting personal goals and striving to achieve them, endeavour by demonstrating resilience, determination and teamwork, and expression by using movement creatively to communicate ideas and explore different forms of physical activity.

Our PE curriculum ensures children acquire fundamental movement skills, apply these across a variety of sports and challenges, and understand the importance of leading healthy, active lifestyles. In addition to supporting physical development, PE plays a vital role in promoting social, emotional and mental wellbeing, helping children to build confidence, self-discipline, respect for others, and the motivation to continue participating in physical activity throughout their lives.

Implementation

At Hetton Lyons Primary School, the PE curriculum is carefully sequenced from EYFS through to Year 6, ensuring children build on prior learning and make consistent progress. In the Early Years, children focus on developing fundamental movement skills, coordination, balance, and spatial awareness through play and guided activities, laying the foundations for more structured physical activity. As children move into Key Stage 1 and 2, they develop and refine these skills in line with the National Curriculum, including running, jumping, throwing, catching, and team games, while also learning to perform dances and gymnastic sequences. Children access weekly swimming lessons in Year 4, ensuring they develop water confidence, basic swimming techniques, and water safety awareness.

Progression is evident across six key skill areas, with opportunities for children to demonstrate our school drivers.

·         Physical skills: children begin by developing basic movements in EYFS and refine these in KS1 and KS2 to perform controlled, accurate, and efficient movements, demonstrating agility, coordination, strength, and stamina. children show Aspiration by striving to improve their performance and Endeavour by persisting to master new physical challenges.

·         Cognitive skills: children progress from following simple instructions in EYFS to planning, evaluating, and making tactical decisions in KS1 and KS2, developing problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. They are encouraged to think critically and creatively, demonstrating Expression through the way they apply skills in games and activities.

·         Creative skills: EYFS children explore movement through imaginative play, progressing to designing and performing dance routines, gymnastics sequences, and experimenting with movement to express ideas and emotions in KS1 and KS2. Expression is central, allowing children to develop originality and confidence in their performances.

·         Social skills: children initially practice sharing, taking turns, and cooperating in EYFS. In KS1 and KS2, they build teamwork, communication, and leadership skills through paired and group activities, showing respect, collaboration, and empathy. Endeavour is demonstrated as children work together to achieve shared goals.

·         Personal skills: EYFS encourages confidence and independence, while KS1 and KS2 focus on resilience, perseverance, self-discipline, and reflection. children demonstrate Aspiration as they set personal goals and Endeavour as they overcome challenges to achieve them.

·         Health & Fitness: children in EYFS learn the importance of being active, and in KS1 and KS2 they develop knowledge of fitness, healthy lifestyles, and wellbeing. Swimming lessons in Year 4 further enhance water confidence, basic swimming techniques, and water safety awareness. children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and fitness, linking Endeavour with a lifelong commitment to active, healthy living.

Lessons integrate these six areas through subject-specific approaches such as observing and analysing performance, planning and evaluating sequences in gymnastics and dance, and applying tactics in team games. children also develop knowledge and vocabulary related to physical activity, using terms such as “balance,” “agility,” “coordination,” “tactics,” and “evaluation.” This structured and inclusive curriculum ensures that all children leave Hetton Lyons Primary School physically competent, confident, and motivated to lead healthy, active lives, embodying our school values of Aspiration, Endeavour, and Expression in everything they do.

Intent

At Hetton Lyons Primary School, PE is an engaging and enjoyable part of school life, with children consistently expressing how much they love taking part in lessons and school activities. Children particularly enjoy sports, developing skills in team games, athletics, gymnastics, and dance, and they thrive when given opportunities to perform and showcase their learning. children experience a wide range of activities both within school and beyond, including representing the school on the football team, taking part in dance performances, and competing in local sports competitions. Through these experiences, children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of pride in their achievements while developing a lifelong love of physical activity.

These photographs highlight the many opportunities children have to be active, including PE lessons, clubs and trips. Pupils are seen developing skills, building resilience and having fun while taking part in sport and physical activity.