PE

Intent

Our aim is to deliver a high-quality PE curriculum that develops the whole child—physically, socially, and emotionally. We strive to promote a lifelong love of physical activity and sport through engaging and inclusive lessons. Children will become knowledgeable about health, fitness, and the benefits of staying active, empowering them to make healthy choices. Our curriculum is personalised to challenge every child while nurturing creativity, social skills, personal development, and physical ability. Lessons are progressive, enabling children to build on core skills, track their own progress, and celebrate success fostering confidence and a positive attitude towards PE, physical activity, and sport. 

Implementation

• Curriculum Delivery: Every child will receive two high-quality PE lessons per week, delivered through a carefully sequenced and blended approach.  

• Skill Development: Lessons will focus on fundamental movements balance, coordination, agility, and ball skills providing a strong foundation for physical competence.  

• Application in Context: These skills will be applied in sport and game situations, planned in line with national curriculum objectives, ensuring progression and coherence between skill practice and competitive play.  

• Variety & Opportunity: Children will experience a wide range of sports through PE lessons, sporting festivals, and after-school clubs. They will have opportunities to try new sports while improving in familiar ones.  

• Competitive Pathways: We will collaborate with our local schools through Sunderland School Games to increase participation in competitive sport and encourage engagement beyond school.  

• Inclusivity & Progression: Activities will be designed to challenge all learners, promote enjoyment, and foster lifelong participation in physical activity. 

• Intra- and Inter-School Competitions: Regular intra-school competitions will provide all pupils with opportunities to compete in a supportive environment, while inter-school competitions will allow children to represent the school and experience competitive sport at a higher level. 

• Specialist Teaching: To enrich our curriculum and raise standards, we engage specialist coaches and teachers to deliver high-quality sessions in areas such as gymnastics, dance, and other technical disciplines. This ensures pupils receive expert instruction and experience a broad, balanced PE offer. 

Impact

Over time, children will become more physically active and secure in the core, fundamental movements that underpin lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. They will develop a deeper awareness of their physical and mental health, understanding the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. Physical activity will be enjoyable and inclusive, leading to increased participation in sports both within and beyond school. 

Children will be empowered to track their progress, set personal challenges, and take ownership of their learning building independence, resilience, and self-motivation. They will demonstrate improved confidence, communication, and teamwork skills, contributing to their overall personal development. As a result, pupils will be healthier, happier, and better prepared for future life. 

Additional Impact Areas: 

• Academic Impact: Improved concentration, behaviour, and readiness to learn through increased physical activity. 

• Social Impact: Stronger sense of belonging and community through team sports and competitions. 

• Emotional Wellbeing: Reduced stress and anxiety through regular physical activity. 

• Inclusivity: All children, regardless of ability, will have equitable access to opportunities. 

• Long-Term Habits: Establishing lifelong positive attitudes towards health and fitness. 

Measurable Indicators 

Physical Activity & Fitness: 

• Improvement in fundamental movement skills (balance, coordination, agility) assessed termly. 

Participation: 

• Increase in the number of children attending after-school clubs and sporting festivals. 

Health & Wellbeing: 

• Pupil voice surveys showing increased enjoyment and confidence in PE. 

• Reduction in reported anxiety or stress levels (via wellbeing questionnaires). 

Academic & Behavioural Impact: 

• Improved classroom engagement and behaviour logs linked to active participation. 

Inclusivity:  

• Monitoring participation rates across different groups (SEND, disadvantaged pupils). 

Long-Term Engagement:  

• Alumni involvement in sports or physical activity beyond primary school (where possible). 

Skills Builder

We integrate the Skills Builder framework into our PE curriculum to ensure pupils develop essential life skills alongside physical competence. PE provides a unique, practical environment for children to practice and refine these skills in real-time situations. Our approach focuses on the following: 

• Teamwork: Pupils work collaboratively in pairs and groups during games and challenges, learning to share ideas, support peers, and achieve common goals. 

• Communication: Children develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills through coaching peers, giving feedback, and strategising during team activities. 

• Problem-Solving: Lessons include tactical challenges and decision making tasks, encouraging pupils to think critically and adapt strategies in competitive scenarios. 

• Self-Management: Pupils set personal goals, monitor progress, and demonstrate resilience when faced with challenges, fostering independence and responsibility. 

• Creativity: Through dance, gymnastics, and game design, pupils explore creative expression and innovative thinking. 

• Leadership: Opportunities are provided for pupils to lead warm-ups, organise teams, and take on captain roles, building confidence and organisational skills. 

• Listening & Reflection: Structured reflection at the end of lessons helps pupils evaluate performance, celebrate success, and identify areas for improvement. 

By embedding these skills into PE, we prepare pupils not only for sporting success but also for life beyond school equipping them with the confidence, adaptability, and interpersonal skills needed for future education and employment. 

SEND

Our PE curriculum is fully inclusive, ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND and children in our HUB unit can access high-quality physical education. Lessons are adapted to meet individual needs through differentiated activities, modified equipment, and tailored support, enabling every child to participate meaningfully and achieve success. We prioritise creating a supportive environment where pupils can develop confidence and enjoyment in physical activity. 

Children in the HUB unit access mainstream PE alongside their peers in other year groups, promoting social integration and shared experiences. In addition, they benefit from specialist teaching and targeted interventions to develop physical skills at their own pace. We also provide opportunities for these pupils to take part in PE trips and both intra- and inter-school competitions, ensuring they experience the same breadth of sporting opportunities as their peers. Our approach celebrates diversity, promotes equity, and fosters a sense of belonging for all learners. 

Voice 21

At our school, we believe PE is not just about physical development it’s also an opportunity to build essential communication skills. We use the Voice 21 Oracy Framework to embed speaking and listening into our PE lessons, helping children become confident communicators as well as active learners. 

How we do this in PE: 

• Structured Talk Opportunities: Pupils take on roles such as team captain, coach, or motivator during games, encouraging them to give clear instructions, share strategies, and offer feedback. 

• Use of Sentence Stems and Vocabulary: We introduce key sporting vocabulary and sentence starters to help children articulate ideas effectively, e.g., “Our strategy is…” or “I noticed that…”. 

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: During tactical challenges, pupils discuss options, negotiate roles, and make decisions together, developing reasoning and critical thinking. 

• Reflection and Self-Evaluation: At the end of lessons, pupils participate in guided discussions to reflect on performance, set goals, and celebrate success. 

• Non-Verbal Communication: Children learn to combine verbal communication with gestures and signals, improving clarity and teamwork in fast-paced activities. 

By embedding oracy in PE, we ensure pupils develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend beyond the sports hall—preparing them for success in all areas of life. 

How We Support Vulnerable Children

We are committed to ensuring that all children, including our most vulnerable learners, can access and enjoy high-quality physical education. Our approach is rooted in adaptation, inclusion, and care. Lessons are differentiated to meet individual needs, using modified equipment, alternative roles, and tailored activities so every child can participate meaningfully and experience success. Additional adult support is provided where needed to build confidence and engagement. 

Children in our HUB unit, access mainstream PE alongside their peers to promote social interaction and inclusion. They also benefit from specialist teaching sessions designed to develop physical skills at their own pace. To enrich their experience, we provide opportunities for HUB pupils to take part in PE trips and both intra- and inter-school competitions, ensuring they enjoy the same breadth of sporting opportunities as their peers. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where every child feels valued, motivated, and able to thrive. 

Primary PE Curriculum Overview 2025-2026

Please see the link below for an overview on the Secondary curriculum for PE.

PE-1.pdf