Physical Education

"Sport and health are so important to our nation that they deserve to be right at the front of people's minds."

- Daley Thompson

Intent

At St Francis de Sales, our Physical Education curriculum aims to empower pupils to develop physical competence, confidence and a lifelong love of being active. We value PE as a subject that nurtures resilience, teamwork and self belief, while supporting pupils’ physical, mental and social wellbeing. Through purposeful and engaging physical activity, pupils learn to challenge themselves, persevere and understand the importance of leading healthy, active lives.

Our curriculum is carefully structured to ensure clear progression across key areas including fundamental movement skills, games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor and adventurous activity. Pupils build physical skills, coordination and tactical understanding over time, applying concepts such as balance, control, strength and endurance with increasing accuracy and confidence. Each unit follows a clear learning journey that allows pupils to practise, apply and refine skills within both individual and team contexts.

Pupils are encouraged to think strategically, work collaboratively and reflect on their own performance and that of others. Oracy plays an important role within PE, enabling pupils to discuss tactics, evaluate performances and use appropriate sporting vocabulary to explain rules, techniques and decisions. High expectations are maintained through responsive differentiation, ensuring all pupils, including those with SEND, are supported and challenged to make meaningful progress.

Health and fitness are embedded throughout the curriculum, helping pupils to understand how physical activity contributes to overall wellbeing. Pupils learn about the effects of exercise on the body, the importance of warm ups and cool downs, and how to exercise safely and responsibly. Opportunities for leadership, fair play and sportsmanship are woven into lessons, supporting pupils’ personal development and positive attitudes towards competition.

As a result of this approach, pupils will leave St Francis de Sales physically literate, confident and motivated to participate in physical activity beyond school. They are resilient, reflective and respectful individuals who understand the value of teamwork, perseverance and healthy lifestyles, and who are equipped with the skills and attitudes needed to remain active throughout their lives.

Essential Knowledge:

Coherence Strategy: 

Coherence in Physical Education is strengthened through our five essentials:

Acquisition and Retention of Knowledge (developing and revisiting physical skills, rules, tactics, health and fitness concepts and sporting vocabulary across a range of activities including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor and adventurous activities). Enriching Experiences (high quality physical activity, inclusive participation, exposure to a range of sports and movement experiences, opportunities to compete, perform and lead, and engagement with school sport events and specialists). Independence (pupils practise, apply and refine skills with increasing autonomy, make informed decisions in physical contexts, set personal challenges and take responsibility for improving their own performance). Oracy (explaining techniques and tactics, evaluating performance verbally, using accurate sporting vocabulary and discussing rules, teamwork, strategy and fair play). Understanding (applying physical skills and knowledge across activities, making cross curricular links with subjects such as science and PSHE, and recognising the impact of physical activity on health, wellbeing and lifelong participation).

Implementation

Physical Education is a dynamic and inclusive subject at St Francis de Sales, enabling pupils to develop physical competence, confidence and an understanding of the importance of an active lifestyle. Through a carefully structured curriculum, pupils engage in a broad range of physical activities including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor and adventurous learning. Each unit is rooted in purposeful and meaningful contexts that encourage pupils to challenge themselves, work collaboratively and apply skills and tactics with clear intent.

Supported by effective teacher modelling, high-quality equipment and clear demonstrations, pupils develop subject specific knowledge alongside the physical skills needed to perform, practise and evaluate effectively. Progressive learning is embedded throughout the curriculum, allowing pupils to practise fundamental movements, apply skills in increasingly complex situations and refine performance through repetition, feedback and reflection. Cross curricular links further strengthen learning, enabling pupils to apply understanding from subjects such as science and PSHE, particularly in relation to health, fitness and wellbeing.

Health and fitness are integral to the implementation of PE. Pupils learn how physical activity affects the body, the importance of warming up and cooling down, and how to exercise safely and responsibly. Through regular participation in physical activity, pupils build stamina, strength and coordination while developing positive attitudes towards perseverance, resilience and personal challenge.

Learning is enriched through opportunities to take part in competitions, festivals, leadership roles and enrichment activities that extend beyond the classroom. These experiences support pupils in developing teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence, while providing insight into pathways for lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. By the time they leave St Francis de Sales, pupils are physically literate, motivated and reflective individuals who are equipped with the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to lead healthy, active lives.

Impact

We use a range of methods to measure and evaluate the impact of our Physical Education curriculum and its implementation. This enables us to reflect, refine and continually improve the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring all pupils make sustained progress in physical competence, confidence and understanding of healthy, active lifestyles.

Formative Assessment

Ongoing formative assessment within lessons allows teachers to assess pupils’ physical skills, application of rules and tactics, and understanding of health and fitness concepts. Teachers model techniques, provide immediate feedback, address misconceptions and adapt activities to ensure appropriate challenge and support for all learners.

Regular monitoring by the PE Subject Lead ensures clear progression, consistency and high expectations across all year groups.

Teacher questioning, observation and discussion during lessons enable pupils to explain techniques, evaluate performance and demonstrate understanding of key sporting vocabulary, rules and strategies.

Summative Assessment

End of unit assessments are used to evaluate pupils’ attainment in physical skills, tactical awareness, teamwork and personal development.

Baseline and end of unit assessments support accurate measurement of progress, skill development and knowledge retention over time.

End of year assessments both physical and academical inform judgements on attainment and provide valuable insight to support future curriculum planning and development.

Monitoring and Feedback

The PE Subject Lead conducts regular lesson observations, learning walks and pupil discussions to ensure high quality, inclusive teaching and effective curriculum delivery.

Pupil voice is used to evaluate enjoyment, engagement, confidence and attitudes towards physical activity.

Teacher voice and ongoing professional dialogue support reflection, shared practice and continuous improvement within the PE curriculum.

Wider Opportunities and Lifelong Impact

Pupils apply their physical skills, teamwork and resilience across the wider curriculum and in extracurricular activities.

Participation in sport, physical activity and competition supports pupils’ physical wellbeing, confidence and positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles.

Links with external sports providers, clubs and competitions enrich learning experiences and promote awareness of opportunities for lifelong participation in physical activity.

Through this structured approach, pupils leave St Francis de Sales as physically literate, confident and motivated individuals who can apply skills effectively, work collaboratively, persevere through challenge and recognise the importance of physical activity in supporting lifelong health and wellbeing.

P.E. Data

At entry, all pupils complete a low-stakes baseline in each subject, assessing baseline knowledge and understanding. Throughout the year, pupils revisit and revise key content using the same format. A final end-of-year/topic assessment evaluates retention.  Results inform teacher judgements and subject leader evaluations of curriculum impact. Scores are used to monitor the effectiveness of the curriculum, identify gaps in key components and support accurate teacher assessment of attainment and progress.