Physical Education statement of intent:

At Emmanuel, Physical Education is a key component of our broad and balanced curriculum as we aspire for all children to experience ‘life in all its fullness’.  We intend for our PE curriculum to:

• Fulfil the aims of the national curriculum for PE.
• Develop a love of learning in all children by developing their skills in a broad range of physical activities so that they go on to lead healthy, active lives.
• Develop positive mental health and build resilience through providing opportunities for all children to participate in competitive sports and activities; both in lessons and through our enrichment programme.

Introduction to PE

PE is a highly-regarded subject here at Emmanuel and our lessons are taught once a week by a highly-skilled specialist teacher.  Our PE curriculum is carefully planned and taught so that children’s skills are built progressively over time, in line with the aims of PE as set out in the National Curriculum.

PE skills from EYFS to Year 6

In EYFS, PE links to the Early Learning Goals of physical development, where children are expected to move showing good control and coordination and to move confidently in a range of ways, and the ELG of PSED, where children are expected to play cooperatively, taking turns with others.

In Key Stage 1, pupils are given the opportunity to develop the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping, throwing and catching and they begin to develop their agility, balance and coordination. They engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities in games, dance and gymnastics. Children play cooperatively, taking turns with others. They take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity. They show sensitivity to others needs and feelings, and form positive relationships with adults and other children. In addition, children will learn to develop good control and coordination in large and small movements. They learn to move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They handle equipment safely and with care. Children will learn and understand the importance for good health of physical exercise and a healthy diet, and talk about ways to keep healthy and safe. They manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully.

Pupils in Key Stage 2 continue to apply and develop a broader range of skills, which are incorporated into competitive games, performances using movement patterns and evaluations of their own and others’ work.  Pupils communicate and collaborate with each other and develop an understanding of how to improve in physical activities. They will continue to develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance, Use running, jumping, throwing and catching individually and in teams to encourage teamwork, communication and peer observations. Children will play competitive games, modified where appropriate and apply basic principles for attacking and defending, game understanding of tactics and game strategies. Children will also compare performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal bests and continue to grow to fulfil their best potential.

All pupils in Key Stage 2 attend swimming lessons at Swiss Cottage swimming pool for an intensive two-week period, where pupils are taught to swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres and to use a range of strokes effectively, as well as performing safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.

There are many opportunities across the year for children to take part in inter-school and intra-school competitions; some of which are competitive where children are encouraged to compete and beat their personal bests and some of which are inclusive.  We also make use of local facilities including Swiss Cottage Swimming Pool, Parliament Hill athletics track and Talacre sports pitches.

In addition, we provide a wide-range of before and after-school clubs for children of all ages including football club (boys and girls), running club, netball club and dance club.