Physical Education

PE at Archibald builds on the Early Years, where children develop control in large and small movements, move confidently in a range of ways and learn why exercise and a healthy diet matter. In Reception and Key Stage 1, pupils master the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping, hopping, throwing and catching, and apply them in gymnastics, dance and simple games. In Key Stage 2, these skills are applied and combined in a broad range of sports. Progression is set out in ‘I can’ statements for each phase across games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, health and fitness, and evaluating and improving. Invasion games show how learning builds. Pupils begin with tag games, capture the flag and kabaddi in Years 2 and 3, learning to find space and keep possession. They then move on to basketball, hockey and netball, and by Years 5 and 6 they plan tactics in and out of possession, evade defenders and lead others in tag rugby, hockey and basketball.

Each unit moves from technique to small-sided games to full gameplay, so pupils can apply their skills under increasing pressure. Gymnastics builds from rolls and balances in Year 2 to paired and group routines with apparatus in Upper Key Stage 2, and athletics runs through every year, from QuadKids in Key Stage 1 to sports hall track and field events in Key Stage 2. Pupils learn to swim in Year 3, and any pupil who has not yet met the national curriculum expectation of swimming 25 metres takes part in catch-up swimming in Year 6. Outdoor and adventurous activities are taught through residential visits: a three-day stay at Carlton Outdoor Centre in Year 4 and a five-day stay at Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre in Year 5, where pupils take on physical challenges, work as a team and build resilience and independence. Pupils learn how exercise affects their bodies, why warming up and cooling down matter, and how to evaluate and improve their own and others’ performances. Competition is built into the curriculum through intra-school dodgeball and inter-school Sports hall athletics, tag rugby and cricket events, guided by the School Games values. By the end of Year 6, pupils can apply a broad range of skills with control and precision, choose effective tactics, and take responsibility for leading, evaluating and improving performance.