Subject Leader: Dan Gough
Physical Education is a central part of the curriculum at King’s Meadow Academy. We encourage all of our children to be physically active at and to develop positive habits, which support their health, fitness and mental health and well-being.
Teaching children to remain healthy and safe is an integral part of our curriculum across school. Our staff understand that sport and physical activities, support development not only of the working memory, but they build character, help to embed values such as fairness and respect and develop mental well-being.
Scientific research shows that there are explicit links to being physically active and having positive mental health, which is why at King’s Meadow Academy, we value both areas of equal importance to a child’s development. As a school, we aim for pupils to learn about these two areas so that they continue to be healthy and active in later life. The links between physical and mental health support the development of greater self-esteem, self-control, and the ability to rise to a challenge through developing resilience. This work starts during a children’s early development in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In addition, we work closely with ‘Futures in Mind’ to support children’s understanding of feelings and emotions from an early age. We teach children strategies to help them cope in different situations and give them the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings.
Our school grounds are fundamental for developing fitness. From the beginning of their school journey at King’s Meadow Academy, children in reception are actively learning both indoors and outside; physical activity is encouraged wherever possible. In the EYFS outdoor area, the children have access to a large construction area, a mud kitchen, large sand and water play and space to play games. Once they commence their journey into main school, children have access to a sports zone and a games area.
P.E. lessons at King’s Meadow Academy follow the PE Wakefield Trinity scheme, which begin in Reception and are taught through the 9 strands: Investigate, Respectful, Creative, Cooperate, Communicate, Independent, Organise, Resilience and Confidence. Our PE lessons are focussed on the progression of skills in a variety of activities. The children have the opportunity to work with qualified coaches from Wakefield Trinity, alongside class teachers a within the school throughout the school year.
Lessons are planned so that children develop an understanding of the importance of health and fitness whilst they acquire and develop key skills. Children are taught to evaluate and improve their performance and are encouraged to use their collaborative and leadership skills.
Competition and collaboration are promoted and are part of our school ethos, which in turn supports the development of independence, pride, belonging and the establishment of good relationships. Children at King’s Meadow Academy are given ample opportunities throughout the year to compete both within school, against other schools in the locality and across the wider Waterton Academy Trust.
The impact of our clearly structured progressive physical education curriculum shows pupils are becoming increasingly confident with developing resilience and applying their knowledge and skills. Children at King’s Meadow Academy love P.E!
How is the content chosen?
At King’s Meadow Academy, we school follow the National Curriculum for physical education and ensure a clear sequenced progression, which is taught systematically so that all pupils to acquire the intended knowledge and skills alongside associated vocabulary as they move through the school. The content may be adapted or changed, based upon the needs or interests of specific cohorts or links to up and coming sporting competitions.
How is the subject taught?
The teaching of P.E lessons is protected time each week. Children across school from Reception to Year 6 receive two hours of discrete P.E teaching. Children in EYFS also have access to outdoor provision daily, as well as specific interventions such as ‘Fit to Learn’ which promotes the development physical skills, balance and coordination.
Children across school take part in daily bursts of physical activity including ‘dough disco’. These activities run alongside a wide range of PE lessons, active outdoor play and learning opportunities. During unstructured times such as break time and lunch, pupils are encouraged to stay active. Play leaders are employed to lead and encourage physically active play. The lunchtime and after school curriculum have been developed to enhance opportunities, so that children can attend a range of active after school clubs, run by teachers. Junior Jam support our PE curriculum, with trained coaches teaching two of our Key Stages each half term.
Health and Well-being is embedded within the ethos of the school. As well as the discrete teaching of how to stay safe and healthy, children regular participate in workshops and activities to promote their mental health and safety. Children have additional opportunities to support their mental health through daily mindfulness sessions. The content of our Health and Well-being Curriculum is based upon the needs of our children and community and outcomes of research publications. School nurses and other outside agencies support with the delivery workshops to the children, as well as holding parent information sessions throughout the year.
How do we know that our children are making progress?
Ongoing assessments of the children’s knowledge and skills is observed by the class teacher and sports leader. Children’s outcomes are compared to the subject specific skills document. At the end of a block of discrete teaching (or term) subject leaders gather an overview of children’s outcomes in each subject area. This is used to plan appropriate next steps for their future learning, as well as provide an overview of learning within a subject area across the whole school.
What wider opportunities are provided for our children?
Children participate in regular internal and external sports competitions. They experience a range of different sport and physical activities through the use of specialist coaches in school.
Please click on the link below for details of the Sports Premium Funding
2021-2022 Sports Premium Grant
2019-2020 Sports Premium Review of Impact