P.E is valued for its unique contribution to developing children’s physical, cognitive, social, interpersonal and emotional skills. It provides opportunities for children to be creative and competitive while learning to work with and respect others. The school encourages all children to participate in sport in order to develop an appreciation of teamwork, a respect, and tolerance, of the abilities of others and an awareness of opportunities to enjoy fulfilling leisure activities. 

Intent

We intend to develop agility, physical coordination, fitness, confidence and enjoyment through physical activities. Our children learn how to plan, perform and evaluate actions, often in pairs and small groups, helping them to develop the quality and effectiveness of their work. The children across our school should develop confidence and competence in performing different skills and build resilience to overcome challenges that may arise. We intend to promote a positive attitude towards an active lifestyle and to introduce children to lifelong physical activity which will in addition support their mental health. 

Implementation

• Our children are provided with the opportunity to access a minimum of 2 hours, timetabled P.E every week. 
• Teachers follow the Lancashire PE Planning scheme using the PE Passport app in order to assess children. For orienteering, teachers use a school specific orienteering scheme which is followed and progresses throughout the school.
• PE lessons focus on both physical and mental wellbeing and teach children important lifelong skills such as resilience, team-working, social skills, empathy, communication and turn-taking.
• PE lessons make full use of the school’s excellent facilities of a large playground, orienteering markers and maps, a modern hall and a wide range of flexible ICT equipment. Such facilities enable the development of skills using large and small apparatus, ball skills, team games and dance. 
• Swimming takes place weekly at Moss Side Leisure Centre for pupils in Year 5. Priority is given to increasing water confidence and ensuring that all children learn to swim. A high percentage of children develop their swimming techniques to certificate level. 
• The school’s high reputation in sport is maintained through extra-curricular activity and children regularly participate in after school clubs and attend local competitions. Our extra- curricular activities are available in many varied and exciting sports to maximize participation from boys and girls, football, multi-skills, cheerleading, hockey, badminton, street dance, tennis and cricket. A number of these activities are provided in partnership with fully qualified coaches who are brought in to provide expert tuition. 
• The School has also used its resources to employ coaches who can impact on the children’s interests and ambition to progress in sport. Team games are played in season, both within the school and against teams from neighbouring schools. 

Note: All children are expected to take part in P.E and wear the appropriate school sports kit (white t-shirt and black shorts/joggers/leggings) unless we receive a note from the child’s primary Carer. 

Impact

At The Divine Mercy Primary School, we ensure that our PE curriculum is progressive and allows children to develop fundamental skills and apply them to a variety of sports and activities. All children are provided with the skills and given opportunities to demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best. We help motivate children to participate in a variety of sports through quality teaching that is engaging and fun. From our lessons, our children learn to take responsibility for their own health and fitness (mentally and physically), many of whom also enjoy the success of competitive sports. We equip our children with the necessary skills and a love for sport. They will hopefully grow up to live happy and healthy lives utilising the skills and knowledge acquired through P.E.

Sports Leaders   To engage more pupils with the endless positives that sports offers, we have introduced Sports Leaders, formed of mainly Year 6 children, who have been carefully selected and trained since Year 5. Some of our Sports Leaders were involved in the Primary Leadership Training, provided by Manchester United Foundation Primary Leadership Programme and developed lifelong leadership skills. Our Sports Leaders roles are to support and assist in sporting activities during break and lunch times and are involved in regular meetings with Miss Murphy and Miss Rostron, discussing how their playground activities can be improved.        Our Awards At The Divine Mercy, we all put a lot of time and effort into providing the children with sports, hoping we give them the best physical education, preparing them for the future of sports.

 

Our Accolades