Physical Education and Forest School

Purpose of study 

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities.

It provides:

• Opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way that supports their health and fitness.
• Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities that build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

Aims

Our overall aim is that children will understand the benefits of activity to both their physical and mental health, as well as developing an enjoyment of different activities and sports with many children taking part in competitive sport.

When children leave Norton St Nicholas they will:

• Have developed competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• Understand how to be physically active for sustained periods of time
• Have engaged in competitive sports and activities
• Understand how to lead healthy, active lives.
• Have confidence, social skills, a sense of self-worth and emotional well-being in an outdoors environment.
• Be confident, hands-on learners (especially through Forest School)

What we teach

 In Key Stage 1, the PE curriculum focuses on movement skills and ball handling with a development into small group and team games.

As they move into Key Stage 2, the children build on the knowledge and skills developed in Key Stage 1 and move into specific sports and games. By the end of Key Stage 2, the children will be proficient in a range of games and activities.

Children across the school will take part in Forest School and other outdoor learning activities. Forest School takes place in our woodland and wildlife areas. During a Forest School session, activities are provided but the emphasis is on the children exploring; this will take many shapes and forms, including den building, using a range of tools, fire building, crafts, games, flora and fauna identification. The benefits of improved co-ordination and physical health from doing activities outside are enhanced by opportunities to develop imagination, initiative, problem solving and perseverance.

Early Years

•  Running skills.
• Ball skills with the hands.
• Ball skills with the feet.
• Gymnastics - making ourselves high and low.
• Using rackets and bats.
• Dance.
• Forest School.

Year 1

• Team building.
• Jumping skills.
• Gymnastics - making ourselves wide, narrow and curved.
• Ball skills with the hands.
• Ball skills with the feet.
• Forest School.
• Dance

Year 2

• Team building.
• Ball skills with the hands.
• Ball skills with the feet.
• Dance - explorers.
• Gymnastics - linking movements.
• Rackets, bats and ball skills.
• Forest School.

Year 3

• Handball.
• Hockey.
• Gymnastics - symmetry and asymmetry.
• Athletics.
• Cricket.
• Forest School.
• Dance - maypole.

Year 4

•  Tag rugby.
• Netball.
• Gymnastics - bridges.
• Cricket.
• Tennis.
• Golf.
• Forest School.
• Dance.

Year 5

•  Football.
• Netball.
• Athletics.
• Gymnastics - counter balance and counter tension.
• Cricket.
• Rounders.
• Forest School.
• Dance.

Year 6

•  Forest School.
• Handball.
• Athletics.
• Gymnastics - matching and mirroring.
• Golf.
• Cricket.
• Dance - 'sword' dance.