The Sports/PE grant has been running since 2013 and has allowed all schools funds to provide them with enhanced Sport/PE provision. At St Francis, we received c. £19500 pa. This must be allocated over five key indicators for each school to aim for and match the grant against.

The PE grant has five key indicators for each school to aim for and match the grant against.

These are:

1. Engagement of all pupils
2. Raise PE profile
3. Sustainability with school staff
4. Broader range of sports available
5. Increased participation in competitive sport

 In addition, pupils should be able to swim up to 25m and be aware of self-rescue techniques while in the water – Grant money can be set aside to include extra swimming lessons to ensure the above.

The current grant is c. £19500pa.

Highlights for 2021/22:

 As all school’s came out of lockdown, we were able to have regular inter-school competitions and visitors to the school for team-teaching.

• Year 6 Boys Football – North Swindon League winners
• Year 6 Boys Football Cup runners up
• Participation in the Fortius PE Dance spectacular at the Wyvern theatre
• Fortius PE Quad kids tournaments and cross-country event
• Twelve after-school sports clubs including three new clubs added – Cheer leading, netball and athletics
• Team teaching with Bath Rugby FC with Year 4
• Team teaching with Dance for Years 5 & 6
• Cricket coaching for Years 4 & 5
• Cricket based Play Leading training for several Year 5 pupils
• Installation of new Orienteering Cross-curriculum activity from Enrich education
• Staff CPD in cricket, rugby and dance
• PE Encounter week to include Climbing, skateboarding and rugby

The PE review is being updated on the school’s website covering the above in greater detail with reference to impact and cost.

Sports Premium After-School Provision 2022/23

Number of children participating each term:

Over the past few years, we have had an excellent rise in numbers of participants in our school sports clubs. This is mainly due to the introduction of new clubs and the continuation of popular clubs. 

Other after-school clubs not subsidised by the Sports Premium has been excluded (STFC, Ballet & Soccer Excellence). 

Impact

Swimming

Swimming is taught as part of the National Curriculum in Years 3 & 4. The objective is to ensure that each child can achieve 25m of independent swimming and to be aware of certain life-saving skills.

Each year group will be given 10 weeks of swimming instruction in each year to enable them to become confident and more proficient swimmers. Currently, we undertake this on a Friday afternoon at Cricklade leisure centre.

Year 4 begin swimming between September to December, while Year 3 will swim between January to April.

Each child is assessed and then placed into one of three groups and will swim in widths. Those less proficient will be instructed within the shallow end which is 1 metre deep. Each group is lead by a qualified swimming teacher and there are 2 lifeguards on duty at all times. In addition, there is a member of staff who acts as ‘eyes’.

Beginners and those less confident of swimming are taught the fundamentals which include correct entry into the water, safe practices within the pool and how to use floatation devices to assist their swimming. As children become more confident, there are taught the basics of front crawl, breaststroke and backstroke. Children may move up into a higher group if their proficiency is satisfactory.

Other self-rescue skills are also taught which may include:

• Treading water
• Floating for sustained periods of time
• HELP/Huddle positions
• Sculling 
• How to use buoyancy aids  
• Swimming in clothes  
• Changing stroke/resting and swimming

Year 6 students, towards the end of the academic year, are to take a survey to see which children cannot swim the required 25m. These children will be offered additional swimming instruction if pools are available.

In recent years St Francis has entered the Swindon School Swimming competition organised by FortiusPE.