PE & Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy Lifestyles & Play

 …but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

– Isaiah 40:31

‘Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life’

The international Physical Literacy association – May 2014

Intent:

St Francis CE Primary School highly values the health, fitness and well-being of all their pupils. Our ethos promotes Physical Literacy with an active and enriched healthy lifestyle through a progressive and motivating PE curriculum, Play, Forest Skills and Healthy Schools enhanced by a large range of extra-curricular activities, events and competitions.

Implementation:

PE & School Sport

The National Curriculum for Physical Education aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities.
  • Are physically active for sustained periods of time.
  • Engage in competitive sports and activities.
  • Lead healthy, active lives.

PE and School Sport is timetabled for two hours a week throughout the school. The children develop their physical literacy through a range of experiences in dance, gymnastics, athletics, game skills, swimming and outdoor and adventurous activities. The curriculum focuses on developing the children’s fundamental movement skills as well as their emotional and thinking skills.

For the most able pupils, learning within PE is adapted to suit their needs and for those pupils whose development is slow, then interventions are provided through SPARKS. We recognise that some pupils need ‘Brain Breaks’ within a lesson while all children engage in our ‘5-a-day’ programme (which is also available at home for parents to use).

Highlights/Links:

  • Swimming – link to swimming page already on website
  • Progression of skills and knowledge from EYFS- Y6
  • Sports Premium – Link to sports premium page on website
  • Clubs – Link to sports premium page website
  • PE enhancement opportunities (e.g. PE Encounter week, Beat-the -Street)

We have a wide and flexible PE curriculum both taught by teachers and local professional coaches within the school community in team-teaching sessions (e.g. Delta Tennis).

Play

At St Francis CE Primary School children are given the opportunity to:

  • Explore the complexities of the world around them through playful experimentation of concepts and ideas.
  • Develop social skills, enhancing communication, collaborative learning and problem solving.
  • Encourage self-confidence and resilience.
  • Think creatively and imaginatively.
  • Develop independence and take responsibility to make the right choices.
  • Develop physical and emotional health, allowing the balance between their right to act freely and respect for others.
  • To develop skills in self-assessing and managing risk.

We aim to enhance playtimes through:

  • TAs set up equipment and short exercises to develop pupils’ skills
  • Areas designated for pupils to enjoy team skills (e.g. Den area, Play equipment)

Early Years Foundation Stage

In Reception the children learn through focused play. The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework highlights that:

  • Each area of learning and development must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.
  • Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.
  • Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.
  • Pupils’ gross-motor skills are developed before focusing on their fine-motor skills.

 Forest Skills

At St Francis CE Primary School the children are given the opportunity to participate in Forest School activities, in the natural environment within the school grounds. These aim to:

  • Support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
  • Promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
  • Give them the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

We believe that Forest Skills should be an exciting, hands-on learning experience and provide opportunities such as den building, creating things using natural resources and exploring the world around them. Forest Skills sessions are taught in all weather conditions, to develop an understanding, respect and love of the environment around them.  

Healthy Schools

Our PSHE and science curriculum covers the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The school has worked with our catering company to develop a healthy school dinner menu and children are encouraged to make healthy choices at lunchtimes. All Key Stage 1 children are encouraged to eat a piece of fruit each day and children in Reception, until their 5th birthday, receive a carton of milk. All children throughout the school are able to order a carton of milk. The children are encouraged to bring in water bottles and drink throughout the day. We also have water fountains both inside and outside. In Key Stage 2 the children are encouraged to bring in healthy snacks for playtimes. 

Impact:

  • Pupils are aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle through appropriate exercise, developing skills, nutrition and mind-fullness.
  • Increase in participation over a variety of school sports clubs
  • Healthy competiveness within and outside school
  • Pupils’ extending their involvement in sports by joining outside clubs
  • Pupils’ and Parents’ voice give positive feedback and help shape our PE provision
  • Teacher/TA CPD provides quality teaching
  • Silver Sports Accreditation achieved demonstrating improvement in our PE provision