PE
The afPE Quality Mark is a prestigious award that evidences the strength and quality of physical education and sport in schools. We were delighted to receive the Quality mark with Distinction in 2022.
At St Katharine’s, we are committed to ensure that all pupils receive high quality, well planned PE, delivered by confident and well trained teachers. We aim to engage and inspire all pupils to learn new skills, be confident and enjoy sports at our school, prioritising mental health and well-being. Children leave the school equipped to enjoy sport for all its health and social benefits. For those who relish the competitive element, they gain the skills, confidence and relevant experience to succeed.
Physical activity is not just a health issue, it brings people together to enjoy shared activities and contributes to building strong communities whilst supporting the economy to grow. Currently nationally, just 23% of boys and 20% of girls meet the national recommended level of activity. Furthermore, 1 in 5 children start primary school overweight or obese; rising to more than a third by the time they leave. Therefore, children and young people should engage in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for an average of at least 60 minutes per day across the week. It is, therefore our ambition and our responsibility to ensure that every child has opportunities throughout the school day, to achieve at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
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Our PE and Sport Premium information page can be found here.
You can also see our pages about Head Heart Hands, Trickbox and Five Ways to Wellbeing.
PE in the Eary Years Foundation Stage
Pupils in the EYFS experience Physical Education predominantly through the second of the three prime areas of learning; physical development. All of the characteristics of effective learning contribute to such experiences and pupils’ overall progress in PE.
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The children have access to equipment and resources including slides, climbing frames, bikes, scooters, cars, tunnels and balls, which encourage gross motor movements including running, jumping, climbing, kicking, throwing, cycling, pushing, pulling, rolling and crawling.
There are also enhancement resources used regularly which may be connected to a particular topic or the children's particular interests for fine and gross motor skill development such as; mark making opportunities on a large or small scale, dancing (accompanied by instruments, scarves etc.), dressing up, building blocks and puzzles.
All of these activities contribute towards meeting the EYFS development statements and the children have regular access to them in order to work towards the Early Learning Goals.
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PE progression from Early Years to Year 6
Our PE curriculum has been developed and refined over many years and is progressive and carefully planned from early years to year 6 so that children make excellent progress.
Within each year group Progression Pathway, there are explicit links to the Complete PE scheme and resources as well as a focus on mental health and well-being through using Trick Box and My Personal Best resources.
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At St Katharine's, dance is seen as a subject in its own right, having its own whole school progression pathway.
Youth Sport Trust Conference
Awards 2024
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We were thrilled to be awarded 'highly commended' in the category for 'Outstanding Primary Practice' at the Youth Sport Trust Conference.
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At St Katharine's, wellbeing and physical activity is at the centre of our vision, 'Forever Flourishing', and is one of our SEASIDE curriculum themes, 'Sport and Wellbeing'.
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We are proud of the contributions of all our staff who go over and above to ensure a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities for all our children and a high quality PE curriculum.