Physical Education
Physical Education is taught through the use of the Complete PE scheme, which includes all forms of sport and teaches specific physical movement. Children are assessed at their starting point at the beginning of a unit of work. Teachers then plan, differentiate and assess to the needs of the children, before re-assessing their skills at the end of a unit. We provide 2 hours of curriculum PE per week as well as providing 30 minutes of physical activity throughout the school day through our POP playground programme. We organise whole school events across the year as house competitions, experience days, sporting events and sports day. A variety of after school clubs support our PE provision.
Please take a look at our PE overview and our progression of skills documents for each of the areas in PE:
In PE we follow 6 School Games Values:
- Teamwork – everyone is treated equally, we support and respect our fellow class mates and team mates in order to have fun and achieve. We are positive role models.
- Honesty – We are honest with ourselves and with others. We compete in a fair and honest way.
- Respect – We show respect at all times for each other, for ourselves, for opposition teams, for referees. We show sportsmanship, shake hands with our fellow opponents and support our team mates in a respectful manner.
- Determination – Having the courage to follow our dreams. Having the mental strength, self discipline and determination to overcome obstacles, work towards our goals and work on been the best sportsperson we can be.
- Passion – Giving 100% effort. Competing with your heart and soul and never giving up in adverse times. Been passionate about the sport you play and willing to give 100% to achieve your goals.
- Self Belief– Always believe you can achieve. Having the confidence and self-belief to succeed
Physical Education in EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and carefully planned provision are designed to support children’s physical development. We offer daily playful opportunities for children to engage in physical activity both in and outdoors.
Our children have access to free flow play for sustained periods of time and are encouraged to use our large outdoor environment including our forest school, mud kitchen, play equipment and large sandpit. We access this environment all year round and in all weather conditions to support the development of gross and fine motor control, balance, coordination, confidence and problem solving skills.
We explore meditation, yoga, massage and relaxation techniques and share a range of healthy snacks to develop our understanding of the importance of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Physical Education in KS1 and KS2
Our curriculum is designed to cover units of work for every context of learning. They flow in a progressive and sequential order from EYFS to Key Stage 2, ensuring that we are always challenging learning. Planning supports high quality teaching and learning and success outcomes challenge and develop ‘The Whole Child’. Key Stage 1 units centre around developing strong Motor Competence which lead into Dance, Gymnastics, Games and OAA units which are taught and revisited across Year 3 – Year 6. Children from Year 1 to Year 6 access swimming lessons at a local pool.
School Sports
We work closely with Durham and Chester-le-Street School Sports Partnership to deliver high-quality PE teaching. Coaches regularly come into school to teach and develop staff training and CPD. For more information about the partnership please click here.
Platinum Award for School Games
We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games Platinum Mark Award for the 2025/26 academic year.
The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
Our sporting achievements include:
- An intra-school archery competition
- 'Bee Netball' competition with other schools in County Durham
- The Dance Festival at the Gala Theatre
- Durham Dash (running and fielding) at Beamish Museum
- A variety of sporting after-school clubs (fencing, basketball, dodgeball, street dance...the list goes on!)
- Lunch time sports coaches delivering games in our outdoor areas
- High-quality PE lessons covering a variety of different sports
We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport. As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.
