Sport
Our Physical Education model is underpinned by important research based on developing children who are able to access a wide range of sports. This programme facilitates a pupil-centred environment that ultimately aims to inspire a lifelong love of sport and exercise.
During the 4-11 age range, which covers our Physical Education programme, LTAD identifies three stages which we have linked to our year groups whilst implementing a ‘Sport Education’ model in Key Stage Two.
Reception, Lower 1 & Upper 1
During this age range, the structure of the PE programme is designed to develop each child’s basic movement skills and physical literacy. The programme for this age group is structured to develop the whole individual through a series of experiences that will challenge a range of different capabilities (see table 1) – without compromising the overall ethos of fun, enjoyment and play. Sport England’s (2018) contemporary research found that the more enjoyment, confidence, competence and understanding children have, the more active they are.
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| Personal | Social | Cognitive | Creative | Physical | Health & Fitness |
Lower 2 & Upper 2
The structure of the PE programme for this age group develops the basic movement skills of each child further through the introduction of Gymnastics, where children are able to explore different movement patterns (to develop their flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance) whilst working collaboratively (through paired and group performance and analysis). The children will also continue to learn the life skill of swimming so that they feel confident, competent and safe in the water.
For this age group, pupils will also be introduced to both general and specific sports that facilitate both ‘hand-eye’ and ‘foot-eye’ coordination to encourage each individual to gain the greatest amount of physical body awareness to improve their fundamental movement skills – again, without compromising the overall ethos of enjoyment.
| Swimming | Gymnastics | Invasion Games | Dance | Athletics | Basketball | Football |
Lower 3 & Upper 3
“Sport Education Model”
This approach to PE provides children with a more authentic experience of sport as pupils participate in ‘seasons’ that last a term, rather than completing half term units of work.
The aim of this model is for pupils to take an active role in their own sport experience by serving in varied and realistic roles that we see in authentic sport settings such as; captains, coaches, statisticians, trainers, officials, publicists and health and safety.
Whilst there is still a focus on developing each child’s physical skills, there is an important emphasis on developing their social and emotional qualities that ultimately spark enthusiasm and enjoyment towards participating in sport.
Each pupil will belong to a team that aims to develop their character, confidence and their connections with others through team names, chants and uniforms as they work together to learn and develop new skills, tactics and respectively compete against other teams.
Games
Success is not reflected solely by a team’s win-loss record but by the overall performance of the team and its members. Familiarising our pupils with the skill sets required to train and compete at their level is vital for their long-term development. Each scheme of work is designed to teach the skills essential for a pupil of a particular age and this expands year upon year.
Boys learn rugby in the Michaelmas term, hockey in the Lent term and cricket in the Trinity term. School matches start at Lower 2 with up to four teams playing fixtures against other local prep schools in all three sports.
Girls are coached in the three-team sports of hockey, netball and cricket. Matches are played against local independent schools at Under 9 and Under 11 level and our Lower School teams have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, qualifying for the National Hockey and National Netball finals.
Games lessons take place twice a week and are taught by a motivated and highly qualified coaching staff who always promote excellence and enjoyment at the individual and team level.
