PE at Brandlehow

PE forms an essential part of the National Curriculum it has a significant impact on a child’s current, and future, physical and mental health.

At Brandlehow we believe that all young people have the right to be happy, safe and to learn; to be healthy, valued, loved and respected; to have high aspirations for the future.

Every single child matters and every child has the right to enjoy and participate in high quality physical education and school sport, regardless of their age, current sporting ability, gender, background or any specific need.

In our Early Years (Nursery and Reception), a significant amount of time is spent on Physical Development as it is one of the three Prime Areas and – as this is often woven into other learning –it is not possible to quantify the amount of time dedicated to this per week.

In Key Stages One and Two (Years 1-6), we are committed to ensuring that every child spends two hours a week on high quality physical education and school sport, within and beyond the curriculum. We recognise that PE needs to build on the children’s natural enthusiasm for movement, by expressing and testing themselves in a variety of situations.

 At Brandlehow, through PE, we aim to enable pupils to develop co-ordination, strength, stamina and skilfulness and to promote spatial awareness, intelligent reactions to situations and appreciation of physical excellence.

We believe that PE leads to a sense of well-being, a greater understanding of health and fitness, a healthy lifestyle and a feeling of self-confidence and self-esteem. Through PE the children develop a growing appreciation of fair play, team building, honest competition and good sportsmanship.

Research has shown that when primary pupils receive regular exercise they perform better in all aspects of schooling, due to increased metabolism and alertness.

PE has an important role to play in establishing a healthier nation, offering children the opportunity to understand the need for, and to develop healthy lifestyles. Those who are active in childhood are more likely to reap benefits associated with an active lifestyle in adulthood.

PE Kit

All children should come to school wearing appropriate PE clothing on the days they are timetabled to take part in Physical education lessons:

• PE T-shirt, shorts/skort/leggings/ tracksuit trousers, PE hoodie as required
• Trainers for outside PE
• For gymnastics and dance, all children should have bare feet unless advised otherwise

Each class will advise parents of PE days in the newsletters – if you are unsure please ask your child’s class teacher. Any personal items that could potentially cause injury must be removed. Jewellery should not be worn during PE lessons. However, if stud earrings are worn, they must be taped over. Shoulder length and long hair should be tied back. Pupils forgetting kit will be provided with spare kit wherever possible.

Participation

Our expectation is that all pupils will participate in PE lessons.

If at any time a child cannot participate for reasons of sickness or injury a note/email must be sent from their parents to explain why they are not participating. For more than one consecutive missed lesson, medical confirmation may be sought.

In any instance where a child can’t take part in the physical aspects of a PE lesson, they should still be involved in the lesson in some way, through observation, coaching or officiating.

Contact will be made with parents/carers regarding non-participation /lack of PE kit.

 Why PE?

• Physical Education contributes to healthy growth and physical development, through physical activity.
• Research has shown that when primary pupils receive regular exercise they perform better in all aspects of schooling, due to increased metabolism and alertness.
• The development of good gross motor skills and their refinement are important, in order to enhance self-image and raise self-confidence.
• Physical Education provides an essential opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the body and its movement.
• Physical Education promotes children’s artistic and aesthetic understanding within and through movement.
• Physical Education encourages development of positive attitudes and personal qualities, such as self-esteem, independence, empathy and tolerance.

We aim to enable our pupils to:

• Receive regular exercise;
• Make informed decisions about the importance of exercise in their lives;
• Develop positive attitudes to participation in physical activity;
• Become skilful and intelligent performers;
• Acquire and develop skills, performing with increasing physical competence and confidence, in a range of physical activities and contexts;
• Understand what it takes to persevere, succeed and acknowledge the success of other children;
• To discover their own preferences and aptitudes;
• Develop the appreciation of fair play, team play, honest competition and good sportsmanship;
• Foster self-esteem through the acquisition of physical competence and poise;
• Develop self-confidence through understanding the capabilities of one’s self and others.

 As a nation we have a growing understanding of the value of physical activity – for physical and mental wellbeing, to promote positive body image in all, to help people with depression, to engender a healthy lifestyle from an early age, to sharpen concentration and academic performance, and even to tackle the gender pay gap (research shows for example, that women who play sport are more likely to enjoy high-flying careers).