Physical Education

Physical Education at St Francis'

At St Francis’ we are committed to providing high quality PE teaching and learning because we recognise the contribution of PE to the health and well-being of our children. We believe that an innovative, varied PE curriculum and many sporting extra-curricular opportunities and competition have a positive influence on the concentration, attitude, academic achievement and life skills of all our children. 

Relevant documents about the use of our DfE Sports Premium can be found at the bottom of this information page. You can also see our PE overview on the Curriculum Pages of the website.

These sporting experiences provide a vital contribution to a pupil’s physical, mental, moral and social development. Physical Education and Sport is for all, we endeavour to give all our pupils, irrespective of their academic or physical ability, the opportunity to discover and develop their physical potential through a balanced programme of activities.

We believe that Physical Education and involvement in sport can, and should promote a wide variety of personal skills, competences and qualities such as perseverance, enthusiasm, enjoyment, tolerance, respect, fairness and reliability. Physical activity not only improves health, reduces stress and improves concentration, but also promotes correct physical growth and development.

Exercise has a positive influence on academic achievement, emotional stability and interaction with others. Therefore, both teachers and children should be aware of its importance. We provide the broad and balanced programme of physical education we believe every child should have; with activities designed to be enjoyable, vigorous, purposeful and regular. Through providing positive experiences, a lifelong interest in physical activity is encouraged. The range of competitive and non-competitive physical activities is wide and includes athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, swimming and outdoor education.

At St Francis’ we have established purposeful links with outside professional agencies, provided a range of extra-curricular PE and sport activities and designed our curriculum delivery to ensure our children are provided with the best possible physical education experiences, with particular regard to the Government’s five key indicators noted below:

• The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity – kick-starting healthy active lifestyles
• The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
• Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
• Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
• Building on previous skills taught throughout their school lives.
• Increased participation in competitive sport

Our Aims for Physical Education at St Francis’

Using movement as a medium for learning and expression, physical education plays an integral part of our school curriculum. Through participation and observation children learn about their own bodies and discover their physical potential. Further to this our central aims are to:

• Create positive attitudes towards and experiences of physical activity by offering opportunities for every child to succeed, develop and progress.
• Develop physical awareness and ability i.e. flexibility, mobility, co-ordination, body shape, posture etc. by engaging the children in suitable, challenging activities
• Develop responsible attitudes towards safety of self and others
• Develop artistic and aesthetic understanding within and through physical movement
• Develop social co-operation and positive attitudes and to participate and compete with a sense of fair play.
• Provide equality of opportunity for all children across all aspects of physical education.
• Provide experiences of co-operation and competition to interest and challenge all pupils and develop their attitudes to physical activity and sport

Team Selection at St Francis’

When we are choosing sporting teams to represent the school we ensure that a range of children are selected, but we expect to see the following if children wish to be selected:

• Effort and performance in PE lessons and other sporting opportunities in school
• Attendance and commitment to the sport, any training offered etc
• Showing good sportsmanship and attitude to others
• We will share opportunities equally between children displaying similar talents or attributes so that rather than having a school team that is set in stone, every child knows they can keep trying to be on that team

In addition, children who wish to represent the school outside must also be doing so inside. Children who are not, will not be eligible for team selection while this is the case – we do not want children to feel that good sporting attitude is in any way different to a good learning or conduct attitude.

Here at St Francis’ we have a long and much celebrated history of playing sport.