PHYSICAL EDUCATION
At Paxton, we deliver an aspirational PE curriculum, which reflects the intent and ambition of the National Curriculum. Using the Moving Matters schemes of work, which is a specialist designed curriculum for teaching primary PE, our curriculum is broad and balanced, embedding an effective and research led pedagogical approach which builds on skills, understanding and application over time. This includes children being provided with opportunities for sporting enrichment both on and off site. High quality provision and staff CPD is ensured through use of specialist PE coaches to support the refinement and development of our curriculum and planning, as well as specialist modelling, through direct teaching and coaching of elements of the curriculum, as well as through whole staff CPD. The delivery of coaching in lessons is provided particularly for ECTs and to develop wider staff confidence and expertise. The curriculum promotes healthy, living to all children, which includes learning topics on food, sport and healthy lifestyles as well as mental health. All children, including those with SEND are given equity of opportunity to access the curriculum and sport more generally.
In EYFS, the curriculum focuses on physical development, moving and handling, health and self-care. This involves opportunities for young children to be active and interactive and develop their coordination control and movement. Children are also taught to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
In KS1, all children develop fundamental movement skills, becoming increasingly competent, confident and able to access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination; individually and with others. Children will be given opportunities to engage competitively; individually and against others, alongside cooperative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations.
In KS2, all children continue to apply and develop a broad range of skills learning how to apply these in different ways and to sequence these, to make actions and sequences of movement. Children also continue to develop their confidence in communicating, collaborating and competing with each other. They will develop and understand how to improve in different physical activities and sports and learn how to evaluate and refine their activities. Children will be provided with opportunities to develop the confidence, competence and social capital by working alongside qualified and specialist coaches, as well as being provided with opportunities to explore sporting opportunities beyond school. Children leave Paxton having developed confidence and competence in a wide range of physical activities, sports and have developed skills which they are able to apply in different settings. Children will also have had opportunities to engage in competitive and representational activities beyond the school and within their wider communities. Children will appreciate and develop a keen understanding of the importance of challenging themselves physically and working collaboratively, as well as understanding the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of physical activity in maintaining our overall well-being.