Physical Education

Our school curriculum is driven and shaped by our school vision, which informs everything that we do.

St Nicholas provides a welcoming, inclusive and aspirational learning environment at the heart of its community. We nurture, encourage and support all children, adults and their families to be the best as God intended. Following God’s example of love and trust, we develop resilience and creativity in all we do.

Learning, loving and encouraging through Christ.

An uncompromising focus on pupils’ personal development has made St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy a place where pupils always come first. Ofsted 2019

Here at St Nicholas, we are incredibly lucky to have 2 halls in which to teach PE plus 2 large fields and a playground meaning we have all the space we need to deliver a fantastic and engaging PE curriculum.

We have been awarded the School Games Mark Platinum award.

The School Games Mark is a government led awards scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. Participating in this process allows schools to evaluate their PE provision and assists them in developing an action plan for future progress. Platinum is awarded to schools who have achieved gold 5 years in succession.

Aims and Objectives

Through PE we aim to encourage a lifetime love of sport and keeping fit. Our PE and sport aspires to build determination, passion, respect, honesty, self-belief and teamwork. These values will endeavour to:

Improve health and well-being.
Provide a broad range of high-quality opportunities and outcomes for all.
Encourage community involvement.
Promote active participation and competition at all levels.
Raise achievement and supporting excellence.

As a result of our PE and School Sport audit we have identified areas for improvement and we intend to spend our Sport Premium money from the government on supporting the development of these areas:

CPD (continuing professional development) for staff ensuring the PE curriculum is adequately taught across the school.
Encouraging the children to make healthy lifestyle choices which can be measured by attendance, punctuality and levels of club participation.
To provide increased opportunity for sporting competitions in school.
To continue our links with other schools and partnerships through the Shepway Sports Trust.
To continue to focus and improve the core skills of children in EYFS and Year 1.

Teaching and Learning

At St Nicholas, we pride ourselves on PE across the school. We have integrated the Real PE scheme alongside teaching skills and rules for sports. Real PE is an inclusive approach with the ambition that PE is a positive experience for every child. It teaches children Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) and key learning behaviours to help achieve that ambition. Through a carefully planned and sequenced curriculum, which starts in EYFS, children build, revisit, and develop skills and knowledge as they progress through school, thereby developing a strong sense of self-efficacy. The aim is for children to participate in 2 hours of physical each week using Real PE and they also do the Daily Mile in addition to this. This will give children a greater understanding in learning the rules to sports for when they participate in events for the school. Throughout the year, all year groups will have the opportunity to have an experience sports coach who alongside the class teacher, will deliver high quality PE lessons. approach at delivering high quality PE while providing children with new opportunities to try new sports.

Through our sports premium, we have been fortunate to have a qualified sports coach in one day a week working with teachers across the school. This has helped the school develop their holistic approach at delivering high quality PE while providing children with new opportunities to try new sports.

In KS1 the curriculum focuses on fundamental movement skills to develop agility, balance and co-ordination. Curriculum content includes ball skills and team games, gymnastic and dance activities. At KS2 pupils will continue to apply and develop a range of skills and units of work which include a range of invasion, net/wall, and fielding and striking games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and swimming.

Children’s experiences will also be enriched through opportunities for outdoor and adventurous activities and the use of external coaches coming in to teach specialist sports.

Enrichment Opportunities

In EYFS, children all learn how to ride balance bikes.

In Year 3, children have been skiing and more recently indoor climbing.

Climbing is just the best. I loved it. Some children were nervous and didn’t get very high but we all loved it even if we couldn’t reach the top.

Year 3 enjoying golf

I loved learning how to play golf and I’ve joined the golf club since learning at school. I’m not great at the normal team games so finding golf has been great.

Because we are a coastal town, we really value the importance of swimming and having the opportunity to experience a wide range of water sports available locally.

In Year 4, children get to enjoy paddleboarding.

Year 5 experience windsurfing.

I was really anxious about going windsurfing because I’m not the strongest swimmer and I don’t like cold water but we had so much fun and by the end of it, I could stand up and change direction.

In Year 6, children take part in sailing.

Our active walls have been a huge success with all children using them throughout the year in PE lessons, lunchtimes and special challenges.

These active walls are great fun and they make you really puffed out. They help to improve your coordination whilst having fun.

Assessment and Recording

Teachers assess children’s knowledge, understanding and skills in Physical Education by making observations of the children participating during lessons. As part of our assessment for learning process (and in line with our school’s assessment policy), children will receive verbal feedback in order to aid progress in the subject. Children are also encouraged to be critical of their own performance, highlighting their own next steps.

Inclusion

The School uses the principle of STEP for adjusting lesson activities for differentiation. Some children with particular needs may require different activities, for example, with a particular focus on fine motor skills if hand to eye coordination is a challenge.

S = change the space available
T = change the time allowed
E = change the equipment, e.g. softer or larger balls, different sized bats, etc…
P = change the people, e.g. size of the groups

Sports Days

Our Sports Days are always a highlight of the school year, filled with energy, teamwork, and smiles. Pupils of all ages take part in a range of fun and competitive events, showing great determination, sportsmanship, and encouragement for one another. With fantastic support from staff and families, the day creates a wonderful atmosphere and lasting memories for everyone involved. Our Year 6 play leaders help support the children in KS1 on their sports day.

I love sports day. My parents always come to cheer me on. It’s a lovely atmosphere. I feel like sports day is my time to shine but I still get nervous before the race starts.

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and British Values

Developing a positive attitude generally is not simply about celebrating sporting success and learning to lose well; but also encouraging children always to do their very best regardless of their ability; praising progress and achievement in a way that does not cause fear or upset for lack of performance or failure; and treating team mates, opponents and referees with respect. Essentially, using every opportunity to maintain and raise self-esteem all round.

Competitions and Festivals

The school has enjoyed outstanding success in all competitions, winning a medal in all 26 events entered last year. This remarkable achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and teamwork shown by pupils across the school. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and sporting spirit.

Throughout the year, we take part in various football festivals and competitions. We have strong links with local football clubs giving many children the opportunity to play. We are strong advocates of girls’ football and aspire to give as many girls as possible, the opportunity to play. In 2024, we were awarded the Girls Equal Access to sport Award.

Our gifted footballers were thrilled to take part in a special training session led by a Chelsea FC scout. Pupils benefited from expert coaching, learning new techniques and developing their skills in a highly motivating and professional environment. The session was an inspiring experience and a fantastic opportunity for our young players. He left with lots of positive feedback and invited many to trial at the nearest development centre.