Physical Education

At Bignold Primary School, we recognise the importance of providing pupils with access to a broad and varied Physical Education (PE) curriculum. Regular physical activity positively impacts academic achievement, physical health and mental wellbeing. We believe that developing physical literacy is essential in helping children acquire the motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding needed to engage in physical activity throughout their lives. Through PE, pupils also develop important personal qualities such as cooperation, teamwork, resilience and collaboration.

Informed by research-led pedagogy, in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), pupils begin their PE journey by developing fundamental movement skills, including coordination, agility, balance, teamwork and cooperation. Opportunities to develop both fine and gross motor skills are embedded throughout the curriculum. In Key Stage 1, pupils build upon these foundations by refining fundamental movement skills through a variety of sports and physical activities. In Key Stage 2, pupils apply and adapt these skills across a wider range of sports, learning to perform with increasing confidence, control and purpose.

Children receive at least two hours of high-quality PE each week. One lesson is delivered by a specialist PE coach and the other by the class teacher, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive PE experience. In Year 4, pupils attend weekly swimming lessons where they develop essential water safety and life-saving skills. Children learn a range of swimming strokes, build confidence in the water and practise safe self-rescue techniques.

We use the PE Planning scheme to support the planning and delivery of high-quality PE lessons, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that new knowledge and skills build upon prior learning. Pupils develop sporting skills across a wide range of physical activities, enabling them to become increasingly confident, competent and physically literate. Our curriculum is progressive, inclusive and well balanced, providing pupils with opportunities to develop both their physical skills and their understanding of sport, exercise and healthy lifestyles. Lessons are engaging, ambitious and accessible to all learners.

Beyond curriculum PE, we aim to provide a wide, exciting range of opportunities for pupils to participate in extracurricular sport and physical activity throughout the year. These opportunities include intra-school and inter-school competitions, Bikeability training, after-school clubs and our highly anticipated Wellbeing Week. Wellbeing Week promotes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with a particular focus on physical activity, nutrition and mental health. Pupils have the opportunity to experience a variety of exciting activities, including Boogie Bounce trampolining, kayaking and mindfulness workshops.

Each year, twenty Year 5 pupils are given the opportunity to train as Sports Leaders within our school. Through a dedicated training day, they learn how to organise and lead playground games, encourage younger pupils to be active, and develop valuable leadership and communication skills. It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm, confidence and sense of responsibility they bring to their roles as positive role models for younger children.

We are proud to have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2025-26 academic year. The School Games Mark is a government-led award scheme, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust, which recognises schools' commitment to the development of PE, school sport and physical activity. Achieving the Gold Mark reflects our dedication to providing an inclusive PE curriculum, achieving high levels of pupil participation and offering opportunities for children to engage in a wide range of competitive and non-competitive sporting events. The award celebrates our commitment to ensuring that every child can enjoy being active, develop positive attitudes towards physical activity and lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Subject Documents:

PE Long Term Plan