A curriculum for life, for all
We are proud of the ambitious PE curriculum and broad variety of extracurricular sporting activity at Didsbury CE. The diverse opportunities in both the curriculum and extracurricular activities helps to ensure all children are equipped with a range of skills, knowledge and values to allow them to flourish in later life. The curriculum ensures that children are able to participate in a range of physical activity, including first hand experiences with inter and intra competitions and forest schools, to ensure a positive and engaging learning experience. The curriculum content and design ensure that all children, whatever their social background, are supported to develop their communication, resilience and team work skills which are important to allow for success in 21st Century Britain.
Curriculum end points
The PE curriculum is designed with clear key knowledge and skills end points at the end of each year, which are then built upon in a spiral curriculum. The curriculum that is taught in each year group is designed to build to these end points, for example it is essential that pupils develop their fundamental movement skills (taught in KS1) before applying them in game situations (taught in KS2). Key aspects from further core subjects, science and maths are contextualised and woven into our PE curriculum. Children’s science knowledge will develop, by understanding how the body works and the importance of a healthy life style as well as aspects of maths, such as recording information in tally charts, keeping score of games and using time.
Curriculum planning and sequencing
We ensure that our that our PE curriculum builds on previous learning and that it is connected to other subject areas, such as science and maths to create a greater coherence and context for the children. At Didsbury CE Physical Education is taught from Nursery to Year 6 in weekly PE sessions.
In our EYFS curriculum, PE is covered in the Physical Development Early Learning Goals. Children in our Nursery and Reception have the opportunity to complete fine and gross motor activities in a range of high- quality learning areas both indoors and outdoors. During this continuous provision time children are able to develop fundamental skills and master basic movements which will assist them with their overall development. Children in EYFS also participate in a weekly PE session.
In Key Stage 1 the lessons are taught by the class teacher. During these lessons, children will have opportunities to participate and perform in a range of physical activities to ensure they develop a range of skills such as;
- fundamental movements including running, throwing, jumping, throwing and catching.
- balance, agility and coordination.
- applying fundamental skills in a range of activities.
- participating in team games and developing simple tactics.
- performing dances using simple movements.
In Key Stage 2 the lessons are also taught by class teachers and children learn how to continue to apply and develop their broad range of skills such as;
- applying fundamental skills to an increasing range of activities and competitive sports.
- developing and understand basic principles for attacking and defending.
- performing dances using a range of movement patterns, developing flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance.
- communicating, collaborating and competing with each other.
- taking part in swimming lessons.
- evaluating and recognising their own success.
Children in KS2 will also begin to take part in forest school sessions as well as participate in competitions in the local area. As part of our staff’s own professional development we also have PE training by a specialist PE consultant to enhance teacher’s own skills and confidence to help ensure high quality PE provision.
