Physical Education

Physical education is taught by our dedicated and passionate teaching team, which includes the class teachers the specialist swimming instructors and visiting experts. These have been professional golfers, premier club football coaches, rugby club coaches, water sport coaches and tennis coaches. We encourage our children to compete as individuals or as teams in our Liverpool and countywide competitions. 

P.E.. is taught at Sacred Heart as an area of learning in its own right, as well as being integrated where possible with other curriculum areas. It is taught at a minimum of one two hour P.E lesson a week.
The key knowledge and skills of each topic are mapped across each year group.  This ensures that children develop their knowledge of games, dance and gymnastics and (from KS2) athletics and outdoor and adventurous activity progressively.  The skills in these areas are also, therefore, developed systematically, with the programme of study for each year group building on previous learning and preparing for subsequent years.  Knowledge and skills are informed and linked to enable achievement of key stage end points, as informed by the 2014 National Curriculum.

We follow the National Curriculum and the program of study - Get Set 4 PE. Children have equal opportunities to take part in a range of sports and physical activities within a supportive environment where effort as well as success is recognised. Children are encouraged to participate in exercise through-out the day during PE lessons, clubs, outdoor learning, lunch provision and special events. At Sacred Heart, the PE curriculum is structured to provide a range of sports experiences during which every child participates to develop their skills and learning through competitive, team and individual sports. Through our provision children can aim to flourish at sports in which they have a particular interest or flair for. Children with additional needs are provided with appropriate support to enable them to take part and gain confidence in skills, understanding and motivation. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Children gain experience of a variety of fundamental skills. This has a focus on agility, balance, coordination and fitness. Children take part in individual skills, group skills and team games, using PE equipment appropriate for their age.

During KS2 children will have a series of structured swimming sessions.

Each new unit of work begins with a recap of the previous related knowledge from previous years.  This helps children to retrieve what they have learnt in the earlier sequence of the programme of study, and ensures that new knowledge is taught in the context of previous learning to promote a shift in long-term memory.  Key vocabulary for the new topic is also introduced as part of this ‘unit introduction’. This approach also means that children are able to understand the new vocabulary when it is used in teaching and learning activities and apply it themselves within the context of physical activity.

Lessons are planned to utilise cross-curricular links, as well as the context of the school (including school and local grounds and access to facilities and community role models, such as sports coaches, with specialist skills).  The varied curriculum is designed to enable all children to enjoy physical activity and to experience success in sport.  An extensive extra-curricular provision also provides further challenge and access to a range of physical activity.  All children have the opportunity to participate in PE at their own level of development, with teachers ensuring that lessons cater for individual needs.  As well as securing and building on a range of skills, children develop knowledge of the basic rules of a range of games and activities.  They experience positive competition and a strong focus is placed on developing good sporting attitudes.  Children learn in a safe environment and have a foundation for lifelong physical activity, leaving primary school as physically active.

Our older children have the opportunity to become 'Play Leaders' developing their leadership roles and supporting the physical development of their younger peers.  All areas are open during playtimes, giving children the choice of more structured games, inventive games, imaginative play, conversation and quiet spaces.