Physical Education
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, we are committed to providing high-quality Physical Education that inspires all children to become independent, confident, and highly motivated life-long learners. Through a broad, balanced, challenging, and inclusive curriculum, we offer opportunities that nurture physical, social, and emotional development.
We aim to raise aspirations and empower every child to achieve success — both now and in the future. Our school values are at the heart of everything we do: we encourage our children to take pride in their school, show respect for themselves and others, and contribute positively to their families and wider community.
We believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive, and through PE, we help them build the skills, resilience, and enthusiasm to do just that.
Intent
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, our intent is to deliver a high-quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and physical activity. We aim to foster a lifelong love of movement, promote healthy lifestyles, and develop the physical competence and confidence of every child.
Through our partnership with the West Lancashire Sports Partnership, we enhance our provision with expert coaching, inter-school competitions, and inclusive sporting opportunities that broaden pupils’ experiences and raise aspirations.
Our PE curriculum is designed to:
🏅 Develop fundamental movement skills, agility, balance, and coordination
🤝 Promote teamwork, fairness, and respect through competitive and cooperative games
💪 Encourage resilience, determination, and a positive attitude towards physical challenge
🧠 Support physical and mental wellbeing through active participation and healthy habits
Implementation
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, Physical Education is delivered through a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes physical competence, confidence, and enjoyment. PE is taught weekly across all year groups, with lessons carefully planned to ensure progression in skills, knowledge, and understanding.
We follow a structured programme supported by the West Lancashire Sports Partnership, which enhances our provision through:
Specialist coaching and staff CPD
Access to inter-school competitions and sports festivals
Inclusive opportunities for all pupils to participate in a wide range of sports
Our curriculum covers key areas including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, and outdoor adventurous activities. Lessons are designed to:
Develop fundamental movement skills and physical literacy
Promote teamwork, leadership, and fair play
Encourage resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude to challenge
Support physical and mental wellbeing through active participation
Beyond timetabled lessons, we actively promote physical activity through a diverse range of extra-curricular clubs and lunchtime opportunities, including our recently introduced OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme. This helps us support the government’s ambition for every child to be active for at least 60 minutes each day — 30 minutes in school and 30 minutes beyond the school day.
Children are also encouraged to take part in competitive sporting events within the local area. These inclusive opportunities not only promote physical development and mental wellbeing but also foster teamwork, leadership, and a sense of achievement. Each inter-school event focuses on different sporting values and helps develop a broad range of learners.
Swimming is a key part of our curriculum:
Years 5 and 6 swim weekly for 6–7 weeks during the Autumn Term.
Years 3 and 4 also swim weekly for 6–7 weeks in the Autumn Term.
All classes experience Boxercise and Forest Schools throughout the year, ensuring that every child benefits from a well-rounded and engaging PE experience.
Impact
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, the impact of our PE curriculum is evident in the confidence, enthusiasm, and physical competence of our pupils. Through high-quality teaching and our partnership with the West Lancashire Sports Partnership, children develop a deep understanding of the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental wellbeing.
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils:
Demonstrate a broad range of fundamental movement skills and apply them in different sports and activities
Show resilience, teamwork, and leadership in both competitive and cooperative settings
Understand the value of physical health and make informed choices about active lifestyles
Participate in a wide range of extracurricular and inter-school sporting opportunities
Approach physical challenges with confidence, enjoyment, and a positive attitude
Our pupils leave primary school with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to lead healthy, active lives and to continue their sporting journey into secondary education and beyond.
Key Documents
