PHYSICAL EDUCATION

AIMS

KS1

In KS1 we aim to develop pupils’ flexibility, strength, control, technique, and balance through Gymnastics lessons.
We aim to develop pupils’ simple tactics for attacking and defending by participating in team games.
We aim to teach pupils simple movement patterns when performing dances.

EYFS

In EYFS we aim to provide pupils with the opportunity to develop their stability, balance, core strength, spatial awareness, and agility through gross motor opportunities in the indoor and outdoor provision. These gross motor skills allow pupils to develop healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being.
We aim to further develop their confidence in control and precision by providing them with fine motor opportunities in the indoor and outdoor provision. This is explored through repeated opportunities with small world, puzzles, use of small tools which all help with hand-eye coordination.

APPROACH

EYFS

In EYFS all physical activities are precisely planned according to the EYFS Development Matters 2021. All pupils are encouraged to develop their gross and fine motor skills in the indoor and outdoor provision daily.

Outdoor

Our main playground area provides opportunity for pupils to participate in obstacle races with hurdles where pupils develop their balancing, throwing, and catching skills. Pupils also develop their aiming skills by throwing balls into the basket net. Occasionally, the adult plays racing and chasing games with the pupils where they need to learn to negotiate their space effectively, change direction and adjust speed. Furthermore, pupils develop their balancing and co-ordination skills by playing with the bikes and scooters. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop their fine motor skills by drawing with large chalk, writing in the writing sheds, using a paintbrush, and playing with smaller toys.

Indoor

In the indoor provision, pupils are provided with opportunities to develop their fine motor skills through tabletop activities. Each pupil is given their own playdough pot and they are encouraged to play dough disco with the teacher. This aims to develop their finger exercises and strengthen their hand and finger muscles. Moreover, pupils have the opportunity to play with the tweezers and use their muscles to squeeze the tweezer when grabbing an object. On some occasions, pupils play with small and large constructions to develop their muscles and coordination. Other opportunities in the provision include writing using a pencil, threading, screwing, cutting and playing with small toys in the sand and water tray.

Sports Coach

Pupils in reception have a weekly session with a trained sports coach who provides them with multiple physical activities to develop a range of different skills. These include, negotiating space, throwing, catching, aiming, balancing, jumping, hopping and skipping.

KS1

In KS1, we follow the Val Sabin scheme which covers gymnastics, dance and games. Each unit focusses on a different area of the subject and aims to develop pupils’ skills in specific areas linked to the National Curriculum. Each class has an indoor and outdoor PE session weekly. The indoor session alternates between the gymnastics and dance units each term and the outdoor session has a focus on games throughout the year.
The gymnastics unit masters’ basic movements including running, jumping, throwing, and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination.
The dance unit encourages pupils to perform dances using simple movement patterns.
The games unit encourages pupils to participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending.
Each class has an extra session with the sports coach during lunchtimes where they participate in sports activities such as football, dodgeball and obstacles.

WIDER OPPORTUNITIES

Pro Kick

The Pro Kick event is a fundraising challenge which our pupils thoroughly enjoy! The Pro Kick challenge happens once a year where we have an enormous inflatable goal. Each pupil has an opportunity to kick the ball as hard as they can. The girl and boy from each class who score the highest points are the winner. They receive a special certificate for this. The pupils who raise specific amounts of money for this fundraiser win a special band or a football as a prize in assembly.

Athlete Visit

We have had a very special visit from a Paralympian called Sean Rose. Sean Rose and his colleague held a fun fitness circuit, which every class took part in. At then end of the day, Sean Rose presented a very inspirational assembly to the whole school about his story and how he never let his disability stop him from achieving all his goals in life. This was a very inspirational visit which inspired and motivated our pupils to always aim high.

Moving Together

This is a very exciting dance company that works with the year 2 pupils. They aim to teach pupils two dances in a day, followed by a theory arts and crafts activity where they create resources which they use in their dance. At the end of the day, this dance is performed to the rest of the school. As a result of this programme, each pupil receives their Dance Arts Mark award in a day.

Move for fun

Catherine Infant School is a part of the Move for fun programme ran by Youth Sport Trust which is a very exciting global opportunity taking place in England, Argentina and Poland. The vision of this programme is to activate 100,000 pupils in vulnerable communities by providing them with equal access to the joy of movement and sense of community that can provide a pathway to happier and healthier lives.

We are very pleased to announce that we are the first school in East Midlands to be taking part in this international initiative. As part of Move for Fun, some KS1 pupils have been taking part in lots of fun and engaging sport activities, every Monday, to help improve their physical development and ensure a love for physical activity.

This programme has been very positive and all the children have thoroughly enjoyed their time participating.

WOW Travel Tracker

Catherine Infant School is part of the Living Streets WOW travel tracker. Teachers record how the pupils have travelled to school, three times a week. This program aims to get as many pupils walking to school as possible. At the end of each month, every child that travelled to school in a healthy way will achieve a special badge.

Inspire Together

We are a part of a PE network called Inspire Together. Through this network, pupils are able to gain the opportunity to learn new gymnastics skills and compete against other participating schools. Selected pupils also gain the opportunity to take part in specific activities such as ‘Big Moves’ to develop their skills in PE.

After School Clubs

Catherine Infant School provides a variety of after school sports clubs, which pupils can attend. The clubs are run by professional sports coaches who offer a variety of games and different sports. Pupils are able to enjoy, compete and also develop their physical skills.