PE at woodsetts Primary school 

At Woodsetts Primary School, we want every child to experience the joy and benefits of physical activity. Our PE curriculum builds children’s confidence, fitness, teamwork and resilience, helping them to develop healthy habits for life.

Through high-quality teaching, a broad and balanced curriculum, and opportunities beyond the classroom, we aim for every pupil to see themselves as capable, motivated and enthusiastic about sport and physical activity.

 Our Intent

We aim to ensure that every child:

• Develops the fundamental movement skills needed to participate successfully in a range of sports and physical activities.
• Builds confidence, competence and enjoyment in being active.
• Understands the importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing.
• Learns how to work collaboratively, communicate effectively and show respect in competition and teamwork.
• Has the opportunity to try a wide variety of activities and discover new talents.
• Develops resilience, ambition and creativity through physical challenges.

Our approach is fully inclusive, ensuring every child—whatever their ability or need—can achieve and thrive.

 Our PE Curriculum

We follow the GetSet4PE scheme, which is carefully sequenced and progressive across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

• EYFS: Children focus on fundamental movement skills such as balance, coordination, agility, and moving safely around others. They learn how to handle equipment and develop confidence in physical activity.
• Key Stage 1: Pupils build on these foundations by applying skills in simple games and activities. They explore throwing, catching, striking, kicking, rolling, jumping and balancing, as well as beginning to use tactics in small-sided games.
• Key Stage 2: Children refine their skills and apply them in increasingly competitive and challenging contexts. They develop tactical awareness in invasion games, perform sequences in gymnastics and dance, explore striking and fielding, athletics, and outdoor and adventurous activities.

Each lesson is designed to be:

• Active: maximising time spent moving.
• Inclusive: using the STEP principle (Space, Task, Equipment, People) to adapt challenges so all children succeed.
• Progressive: building skills step by step and applying them in meaningful contexts.
• Engaging: with clear demonstrations, purposeful questioning, and opportunities for self and peer assessment

 Knowledge, Skills and Vocabulary

• PE lessons are sequenced to ensure children revisit and build on prior learning.
• Each unit includes knowledge organisers, rules cards, top tips and vocabulary pyramids from GetSet4PE to develop language and understanding
• Vocabulary (e.g. “attack”, “defence”, “tactics”, “agility”) is modelled and used by children to discuss and reflect on their learning.
• Progression grids ensure that skills and knowledge develop consistently from EYFS to Year 6.

 PE in EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children at Woodsetts follow the same GetSet4PE scheme as the rest of the school, with units carefully adapted to meet the needs of younger learners. The focus is on developing fundamental movement skills and building the confidence, coordination and enthusiasm that form the foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity.

Children learn through a blend of structured lessons and active play opportunities, where they can explore movement in a safe and supportive environment. Activities are designed to help children:

• Develop gross motor skills such as running, jumping, balancing, climbing and throwing.
• Strengthen fine motor skills through handling equipment, mark-making in large spaces, and activities that build control and dexterity.
• Move confidently and safely, negotiating space and obstacles both indoors and outdoors.
• Work with others, take turns, and follow simple rules through games and cooperative play.
• Begin to understand the link between being active, health and wellbeing.

Teachers use the STEP principle (Space, Task, Equipment, People) to ensure all children can access and enjoy activities at their own level. This means every child is appropriately challenged, whatever their starting point.

By the end of EYFS, children are ready for Key Stage 1 PE with secure foundations in movement, coordination and confidence.

 Pupil Voice in PE

Following a recent pupil voice activity, here are some of the comments our children made about PE at our school:

• “I love PE because we get to try new games and keep fit.” – Year 2
• “Learning tactics in football helped me understand how to work better in a team.” – Year 5
• “Gymnastics is my favourite because I like learning how to balance and create routines.” – Year 3
• “Sports Day makes me proud because everyone gets a chance to join in.” – Year 6

 Specialist Teaching, Competitions and Experiences

At Woodsetts Primary, we recognise the importance of giving our children access to the very best physical education opportunities. Alongside our strong curriculum teaching, we work with a range of external specialists to enhance provision:

• We benefit from the expertise of a specialist PE teacher from Dinnington High School, who works with classes and staff to deliver high-quality lessons, develop specific skills, and provide ongoing CPD for our teachers.
• We invite coaches and instructors from different sports to run workshops, giving children the chance to try activities they may not normally experience.

Our pupils also take part in a wide range of competitions, festivals and enrichment events across the year:

• Intra-school and trust competitions allow every child to participate in competitive sport in a supportive, inclusive way.
• Inter-school festivals and tournaments provide opportunities to represent Woodsetts in athletics, football, gymnastics, multi-skills, cricket, dance and more.
• Trust and community partnerships extend opportunities for our pupils to engage in events with other schools, celebrating teamwork, resilience and sporting success.

These experiences not only develop physical skills but also build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging as part of the wider sporting community.

 Sports Clubs and Enrichment

At Woodsetts Primary, we are proud to offer a rich programme of sports clubs that supplement our taught PE curriculum and give children the chance to further develop their skills, fitness and love of physical activity.

• Each week, pupils can access a variety of before-school, lunchtime and after-school clubs led by staff, external coaches and sports specialists.
• Clubs include both traditional sports (such as football, netball, cricket, athletics and gymnastics) and alternative activities (such as dance, multi-skills, skipping, fitness and outdoor adventure).
• The programme is inclusive and open to all, encouraging participation at every level—from beginners trying something new to pupils who want to compete at a higher standard.
• Clubs change throughout the year, giving children opportunities to experience a wide range of activities.
• Many of our club sessions prepare pupils for festivals and competitions, ensuring children feel confident and well-prepared to represent the school.

By engaging in our sports clubs, children build confidence, strengthen friendships, and establish healthy lifestyle habits that go beyond the classroom.

 Reading in PE

At Woodsetts Primary, reading underpins all areas of our curriculum — including PE. We believe that books and texts can inspire children, build subject knowledge, and develop the language they need to talk about sport and physical activity.

• Inspirational Texts: We share high-quality fiction and non-fiction books linked to sport, athletes and physical activity. These texts help pupils understand the values of teamwork, resilience, fairness and determination.
• Vocabulary Development: PE lessons are supported with key vocabulary mats and knowledge organisers. Reading texts about sport and movement gives pupils real-life context for words such as agility, tactics, defence, balance, and coordination.
• Story Time Links: During some PE units, teachers use story time or class texts that connect to themes such as adventure, challenge and perseverance. This supports children to make connections between the qualities of characters in stories and their own learning in PE.
• Cross-Curricular Reading: Non-fiction texts (biographies of athletes, books about the Olympics or sporting events, and fact books about the human body) provide background knowledge that deepens children’s understanding of health, fitness and physical education.

By weaving reading into PE, we give children both the knowledge and the language to talk confidently about sport, celebrate role models, and connect what they do in lessons with the wider world.

 PE and Our PSHE Pillars

At Woodsetts Primary, PE is not just about physical skills – it plays a key role in developing the whole child. Our PE curriculum links closely to our PSHE pillars: Relationships, Living in the Wider World, and Dreams, Aspirations and Beliefs.

Relationships
Through PE lessons, clubs and competitions, children learn to:

• Work as part of a team, showing respect and cooperation.
• Manage emotions in both success and challenge.
• Resolve conflict fairly and positively in games and sport.
• Value diversity by including and supporting others in activities.

Living in the Wider World
PE helps children understand their place in the wider community by:

• Teaching respect for rules and fair play.
• Encouraging responsible behaviours that affect others positively (e.g. sportsmanship, honesty).
• Promoting healthy lifestyles and respect for the environment through outdoor activity.
• Providing opportunities to take part in community festivals, Trust-wide competitions, and inter-school events.

Dreams, Aspirations and Beliefs
PE inspires children to:

• Set goals and work hard to achieve them, developing resilience and determination.
• Experience new sports and activities that may spark future hobbies or careers.
• Celebrate awe and wonder in human performance, teamwork, and the achievements of sporting role models.
• Express creativity through dance, gymnastics and outdoor adventurous activities.

Through these connections, PE at Woodsetts develops not only healthy, active children but also confident, respectful and ambitious citizens.

 Useful Links for Families

GetSet4PE – Parent Resources– Guidance, activities and videos to support families.

BBC Super Movers– Fun active videos linked to curriculum subjects.

Change4Life – Ideas for active play and exercise at home.

Youth Sport Trust– Resources and advice to keep children moving.

At home, families can support PE by being active together - whether that’s walking, cycling, swimming, or playing games in the park.