Our Physical Education Curriculum

At Highfields Primary School, we intend that our PE curriculum will develop confident, resilient, and active learners who value health, fitness, and well-being. We aspire to provide a broad and balanced programme that promotes curiosity and creativity through a wide range of physical activities, enabling children to explore movement, develop skills, and express themselves. We envisage that PE will offer appropriate challenge and enrichment, ensuring every child is supported to achieve their personal best while fostering a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity. We intend to integrate digital learning tools to enhance understanding of techniques, track progress, and inspire engagement through interactive resources.  

Rooted in our values of community, collaboration, and inclusivity, we aim to create opportunities for children to work together, build teamwork skills, and celebrate success collectively. Our intent is for every child to access and thrive in PE in and so we adapt provision to meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND. Beyond the classroom, we aim to enrich learning through sports clubs, competitions, and partnerships with local organisations, helping children experience the wider sporting community and develop positive attitudes towards active lifestyles. Through this approach, we aim to nurture physically literate, confident individuals who embrace challenge and contribute positively to their community.  

Our intent is rooted in our core values, which shape how children learn and experience Physical education:   

• Curiosity – Curiosity in PE is displayed when pupils show a willingness to explore movement, try new skills, ask questions about performance, and discover how their bodies work and improve. 

• Creativity – Creativity in PE is displayed through opportunities for pupils to explore movement, make choices, solve problems, and express themselves physically. 

• Collaboration – PE lessons naturally promote teamwork, helping children understand that physical activity is often more successful and enjoyable when people cooperate. 

• Challenge – Challenge in PE is displayed through activities and expectations that encourage pupils to push themselves physically and mentally, persevere, make decisions, and improve performance over time. 

• Community – PE plays a key role in building a positive school community by encouraging teamwork, inclusion, and mutual respect. Children are given opportunities to compete against local schools and to build links with local sports clubs. 

How is the physical education curriculum implemented?  

The school uses the Get Set 4 PE scheme of work. From Foundation Stage through to Year 6 the scope of each unit increases, building on what has been taught in previous years. Planning for PE is a process in which all teachers ensure that the school gives full coverage of The 2014 National Curriculum programmes of study for PE and Physical Development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The scheme focusses on the teaching of skills and tactics alongside the need for a fit and healthy lifestyle.  Although following a scheme of work, teachers are encouraged to adapt lessons and activities to suit the abilities of all of the children in the class. 

Progression of Skills and Knowledge 

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in PE, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the school.PE is taught with the idea that children will continually build on previous skills and knowledge. At the start of each unit teachers take time to remind children of the skills they have already learnt and how they will continue to develop these through a range of different activities. For example children will learn the simple skills of throwing and catching, followed by learning different throwing and catching techniques and using different equipment before using these skills in games and activities before finally thinking about which skills are best to use in a given situation. We revisit previously taught content to ensure retention and reinforcement of knowledge.   

We include the use of technology, wherever appropriate, to aid teaching and learning. Through teacher modelling and planned questioning and practical opportunities we want our children to become aware of the importance of maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle and to develop a lifelong love of sport. The school uses external coaches and organises regular inter and intra school competition enhance our children’s learning experience. Where appropriate, staff will speak to parents to sign post them to considering sending their child to and external sport club if they feel they have a talent or flair for a sport.  

Children are encouraged to make links between PE and other curriculum subjects such as science and maths.  

How is physical education made real and relevant? 

At Highfields Primary School, we believe that Physical Education should be meaningful, engaging, and connected to the real world. Our PE curriculum is designed to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to lead healthy, active lives—both now and in the future. We make PE real and relevant by linking every lesson to practical experiences, real-life contexts, and lifelong learning habits.  

We ensure relevance by teaching skills that children can use beyond school, such as teamwork, resilience, problem‑solving, and communication. Through a broad range of activities—from traditional sports to outdoor adventure, dance, gymnastics, and fitness challenges—children discover what physical activity means for them personally and how it contributes to their health and wellbeing.  

Real‑world connections are embedded throughout our curriculum. We introduce pupils to sports they will encounter in their community, highlight sporting role models, and create opportunities to take part in events, festivals, and competitions. Our lessons emphasise understanding the “why” behind being active, helping children make informed choices about healthy lifestyles.  

Above all, we aim to develop positive attitudes towards physical activity that last a lifetime. By making PE enjoyable, inclusive, purposeful, and grounded in real experiences, we help every child recognise the value of being active and the impact it has on their physical, emotional, and social development.  

What is the impact of our physical education curriculum?  

The impact of Physical Education at Highfields is that pupils leave school physically confident, motivated, and equipped with the skills and attitudes needed to lead healthy, active lives. Through a well‑sequenced and inclusive PE curriculum, pupils develop fundamental movement skills, sport‑specific techniques, teamwork, and resilience. Regular monitoring by the PE subject leader, including lesson visits, pupil voice, and reviews of planning and outcomes, ensures consistency, progression, and high expectations across the school. 

Teachers use formative assessment effectively during lessons through observation, questioning, feedback, and peer assessment to identify strengths, address misconceptions, and adapt activities in real time. Summative assessment at key points informs judgements about pupils’ progress against age‑related expectations and supports targeted challenge and intervention where needed. As a result, the majority of pupils meet or exceed expected outcomes in physical competence and engagement. 

The lived‑in experience of PE is positive and purposeful. Pupils speak enthusiastically and confidently about their learning, demonstrating enjoyment, perseverance, and a willingness to challenge themselves. They understand the importance of teamwork, fair play, and personal improvement, and show pride in their achievements. PE is inclusive, with all pupils participating and feeling valued, regardless of confidence or ability. 

The strong impact of PE is visible around the school, through pupil voice, high levels of engagement in lessons and clubs, displays celebrating physical activity and sporting events, and active participation in whole‑school initiatives such as sports days and competitions. Together, these outcomes demonstrate that PE is well embedded, effectively led, and makes a significant contribution to pupils’ physical, social, and personal development. 

How is technology integrated to enhance teaching and learning? 

At Highfields, we use technology purposefully to enrich Physical Education and deepen pupils’ understanding of movement, health, and physical skills. Technology helps us bring learning to life, increase engagement, and provide pupils with immediate, meaningful feedback.  

Teachers and children use digital tools such as tablets and video analysis apps to help children observe their own performance, reflect on their technique, and identify areas for improvement. This supports the development of self-assessment skills and makes progress more visible and personalised.  

Teachers can use digital resources and visual demonstrations to model skills clearly, allowing pupils to understand key movements step by step.  

Technology also enables greater inclusion. Adapted devices, simplified digital tools, and visual supports help ensure pupils with additional needs can access activities and understand instructions more clearly.  

By integrating technology in purposeful, age‑appropriate ways, we make PE more interactive, accessible, and relevant. These tools enhance, not replace, high‑quality teaching, supporting our aim to develop confident, motivated, and active learners who understand the value of physical activity for life. 

How is physical education made accessible for all pupils?  

At our school, we are committed to ensuring that Physical Education is inclusive, accessible, and meaningful for every child. We believe that all pupils, regardless of ability, background, or need should have the opportunity to enjoy and succeed in PE.  

We achieve this through high‑quality teaching that focuses on adapting activities so every pupil can participate fully. Lessons are carefully planned to offer multiple entry points, varied equipment, and flexible approaches so all children can experience achievement and progress. Where needed, teachers make reasonable adjustments and provide individualised support to ensure all pupils can engage safely and confidently.  

Inclusivity is at the heart of our curriculum design. We celebrate different strengths, value personal progress, and promote a positive attitude towards being active. Pupils with SEND are supported through collaboration with specialists and the use of tailored resources, ensuring barriers are reduced and participation is maximised.