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. For the 2019/20 academic year I have matched the grant against the indicators.

Highlights for 2018/19:

• Football coaching and competitive matches for two new teams – Boys ‘B’ side and Girls
• Fitness Thursday club and ‘Scoot & Skate’ club for less active pupils
• Pupils’ voice guided PE encounter week experience for the whole school
• Increased staff CPD (3- swimming, 2 –football & 1 –cricket)
• ‘5-a-day’ available at home for parents to engage
• Olympic athlete visit with ‘fun-run’ activity
• Parents’ & pupils’ questionnaires used to assess our PE provision – outcome assisted in planning for future events and after-school clubs (e.g. more KS1 sports clubs now on offer)
• PE Encounter – 3 days of activities
• Visits from professional sports coaches e.g. Delta Tennis
• New carousel Sports Day format received good review from parents
• Awarded Silver accreditation for our Schools Games award

For 2019/20:

• Maintain a variety of after-school clubs as in previous year
• Expand after-school activity for KS1
• Look for further staff CPD/team teaching for sustainability
• Football field and running track to be renovated
• More competitions – both intra and inter-school
• Visits by professional coaches to inspire children & staff(e.g. Delta Tennis)
• Parents’ & Pupils’ questionnaire – March 2020
• 2020 Sports Day as 2019 but look to incorporate sprint runs also
• Aim for School Games Gold award

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 2019/20

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.

Each year St Francis has entered the Swindon School Swimming competition organised by Fortius.