At Abbey Park Primary School, our physical education curriculum inspires pupils to lead active, healthy and fulfilling lives. Through high-quality PE, children develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to enjoy lifelong participation in physical activity, while building resilience, teamwork and confidence. Our curriculum is underpinned by our curriculum drivers of sustainability and identity and equity, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed, challenge themselves and develop positive habits for the future.

What children learn

Our PE curriculum is carefully sequenced to develop pupils’ physical competence, confidence and understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children experience a broad range of physical activities that enable them to develop fundamental movement skills before applying these in increasingly challenging games, sports and activities.

Across the school, learning is built around key recurring ideas such as:

• fundamental movement skills
• teamwork and cooperation
• resilience and perseverance
• healthy, active lifestyles
• leadership, fairness and sportsmanship

These concepts are revisited throughout each year so that pupils continually strengthen both their physical skills and their understanding of the wider benefits of physical activity.

Building skills over time

PE is taught progressively from Early Years to Year 6, enabling pupils to build confidence, competence and independence.

• In Early Years, children develop balance, coordination, agility and control through play, exploration and movement.
• In Key Stage 1, pupils master fundamental movement skills including running, jumping, throwing and catching, whilst beginning to participate in simple games and dance.
• In Key Stage 2, pupils apply and refine these skills across a wider range of sports, developing tactical understanding, teamwork, leadership and performance.

Learning builds on prior experiences, allowing pupils to improve their physical literacy and develop increasingly sophisticated movement and decision-making skills.

Thinking like a sportsperson

Alongside physical skills, pupils learn how to think, reflect and improve their performance. This includes:

• applying tactics and strategies during games
• evaluating and improving their own performance
• working collaboratively as part of a team
• demonstrating resilience when faced with challenge
• showing respect, fairness and good sportsmanship
• leading, officiating and supporting others where appropriate

These disciplinary skills help children become thoughtful, confident and responsible participants in physical activity.

Language, vocabulary and communication

Developing subject-specific vocabulary is an important part of PE. Pupils are taught to use language such as agility, coordination, balance, attack, defend and technique accurately when discussing their learning.

Opportunities for talk are built into lessons so that pupils can:

• explain tactics and strategies
• give and receive constructive feedback
• evaluate performances
• reflect on their progress and next steps

This supports both physical development and effective communication.

 Making connections

Where meaningful, PE is linked to other areas of learning to deepen understanding. Pupils make connections through:

• learning about physical and mental wellbeing
• understanding healthy lifestyles and personal fitness
• developing leadership and teamwork skills
• participating in competitive and non-competitive activities
• representing the school through clubs and sporting events

These experiences encourage pupils to appreciate the importance of physical activity throughout life while reflecting our commitment to sustainability, identity and equity.

 Applying learning

Pupils are given regular opportunities to apply their learning through:

• competitive and cooperative games
• dance and gymnastics performances
• athletics and outdoor activities
• personal skill challenges
• leadership and team-building opportunities

This enables pupils to transfer skills across different sports and develop confidence in a wide range of physical activities.

 Assessment and progress

Assessment is ongoing and informs future teaching. Teachers:

• observe pupils’ physical performance and skill development
• assess pupils’ ability to apply tactics and techniques
• use questioning and reflection to check understanding
• monitor progress in physical skills, teamwork and personal development

This ensures pupils make sustained progress and receive support or challenge where needed.

 What pupils achieve

By the end of Year 6, pupils at Abbey Park Primary School:

• demonstrate competence across a broad range of physical activities
• apply movement skills confidently in different sporting contexts
• understand the importance of healthy, active lifestyles
• work cooperatively and competitively with fairness and respect
• evaluate and improve their own performance
• show resilience, confidence and enjoyment in physical activity

They leave primary school equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to remain active, healthy and engaged throughout their lives.

Inclusion

Our PE curriculum is designed so that every pupil can participate, achieve and enjoy success. Teaching is adapted through:

• inclusive activities and appropriate challenge
• differentiated equipment and tasks
• careful modelling and clear demonstrations
• encouragement, support and opportunities for leadership

This ensures all children can develop confidence, competence and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity, regardless of their starting point.