Physical Education

Sandringham and West Newton Primary Academy firmly acknowledges the intrinsic value of Physical Education and recognises its pivotal role in the holistic development of our children. We are dedicated to fulfilling the aims outlined in the 2014 National Curriculum for Physical Education, ensuring that all children engage in a structured environment that promotes not only physical competence but also social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

The following key objectives are part our P.E curriculum offer for all children:

• Develop Competence: We strive to enable our children to excel in a broad spectrum of physical activities, thereby building a strong foundation in various sporting disciplines that cater to diverse interests and talents.
• Sustained Physical Activity: Physical health is paramount; thus, we ensure all children engage in physical activities for sustained periods, promoting endurance and physical well-being.
• Engagement in Competitive Sports: We provide opportunities for children to participate in competitive sports and activities, reinforcing teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship.
• Promotion of Healthy, Active Lifestyles: We aim to instil a lasting appreciation for health and fitness, encouraging students to lead healthy, active lives.
• Skill Development Before Competition: Essential skills are thoroughly taught prior to engaging in matches, allowing children to participate with confidence and competence.
• Skill-appropriate Challenges: We adapt challenges to cater to various skill levels, ensuring every child can achieve success and develop at their own pace.
• Teamwork and Positive Language: We foster an environment where teamwork is pivotal, encouraging children to uplift and motivate their peers through positive reinforcement.

To execute our vision for Physical Education, we implement a curriculum through structured lessons, taught twice weekly. In our lessons, we focus on several critical areas to ensure engagement and skill acquisition:

• Enjoyment and Success: We prioritise providing a fun learning environment where every child can experience success, cultivating a positive attitude towards physical activity.
• Inclusive Participation: It is vital that each child participates in P.E at a level commensurate with their development, allowing them to progress without unnecessary pressure.
• Skill Acquisition: Our curriculum is designed to secure and build upon a comprehensive set of skills, promoting confidence in each student’s abilities.
• Sporting Attitudes: Developing good sporting attitudes is essential, as we encourage respect for others, fair play, and a healthy sense of competition.
• Understanding of Basic Rules: Knowledge of game rules is imparted to ensure children can effectively engage in various sports.
• Positive Competition: Our programme facilitates opportunities for positive competitive experiences, with competitions in sports such as netball, hockey, cross country, tag rugby, girls’ football, athletics, badminton, and tennis.
• Safe Learning Environment: Safety is paramount; thus, all activities are conducted in a secure environment, fostering confidence in our students.
• Lifelong Physical Activity: Our ultimate goal is to equip children with a foundation for lifelong physical activity. By the time they leave primary school, we aspire to make them physically active individuals prepared for secondary school.

In particular, our approach within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) embodies this intent, integrating physical education seamlessly into daily activities, thereby fostering an instinctive appreciation for movement and healthy living from an early age.

The impact of our Physical Education programme extends beyond mere participation; it serves as a cornerstone for lifelong learning and healthy lifestyles. Through exposure to a wide array of activities, we instill the belief that a well-taught P.E curriculum, combined with opportunities for success, will influence children’s choices to lead active lives beyond school years.

A high-quality physical education curriculum should inspire all children to succeed and excel in competitive sports and other physically demanding activities. At Sandringham and West Newton Primary Academy, we take pride in offering our children the chance to become physically confident individuals, which supports their overall health and fitness.

Our commitment to fostering resilience, character, and invaluable life skills is evident through the opportunities we provide for competition and participation. We firmly believe these experiences build character and embed essential values such as fairness, respect, and teamwork.

Celebration of achievements forms a vital component of our programme. We fully participate in the West Norfolk SSP programme and our competitors are consistently acknowledged at whole school assemblies, providing an opportunity for children to articulate their experiences and receive recognition for their efforts through certificates. Such initiatives reinforce a positive sporting culture within our school community.

To further highlight our commitment to physical activity, our Physical Education display board in the main school serves as a dynamic canvas, updated regularly with photographs and details of recent competitions and team activities. This visual representation reflects our positive attitude toward sporting endeavours and reinforces its importance alongside all other subjects taught at Sandringham and West Newton Primary Academy.

Overall, the comprehensive approach we adopt in our Physical Education curriculum—grounded in the principles of intent, implementation, and impact—ensures that all children at our school have the opportunity to thrive in a physically active environment. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing high-quality Physical Education experiences that contribute significantly to the overall development, health, and well-being of our children, ultimately preparing them for a future of energised living.