Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity Curriculum (PESSPA)

Intent

In line with the national curriculum for PE, we believe that a high quality PE curriculum inspires all children to succeed and excel in sport.  At Pepper Hill School, we firmly believe in the importance of demonstrating sporting values.  Our PE curriculum focuses on fostering sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for teammates, opponents, and officials.  Through engaging activities and team-based games, we encourage children to develop crucial social and emotional skills, including effective communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is another key aspect of our PE curriculum.  We promote the significance of sleep, hydration, and healthy eating habits to support children' overall well-being.  In line with the recommendations of the chief medical officer, we encourage all children to engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily.  By instilling this routine, we aim to enhance children' physical fitness and establish healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Our PE curriculum goes beyond physical fitness and sports.  We recognize the importance of nurturing children' mental and emotional well-being.  Through various activities, we promote self-confidence, resilience, and critical thinking skills, enabling children to navigate challenges with confidence and develop a positive mindset.  Pepper Hill School's PE curriculum offers a diverse range of sports and physical activities to ensure children have the opportunity to explore new interests and discover their passion.  Additionally, we actively encourage children to participate in competitive sports, providing them with opportunities to represent the school.

Throughout their PE journey, children acquire essential skills and knowledge aligned with the PE curriculum.  From fundamental movement skills to advanced techniques, our dedicated team of teachers ensures children develop a strong foundation in physical education.  Swimming and water safety are integral parts of our PE curriculum.  We provide comprehensive swimming lessons and emphasise water safety through ‘Drowning Prevention Week’ to equip children with essential life skills and promote their safety in aquatic environments.

As part of our commitment to enriching children experience, we collaborate with Youth Sport Trust PE Catalyst.  This is an initiative that offers innovative resources and training programs to enhance the quality of our PE curriculum. This partnership enables us to stay at the forefront of educational practices and deliver engaging and impactful lessons to our children.  Pepper Hill School values community and club links.  We actively engage with local sports clubs and organisations, providing opportunities for children to participate in extracurricular activities and further develop their sporting abilities.  This collaboration strengthens our ties with the wider community and opens doors to further sporting opportunities for our children.

Our PE curriculum extends beyond the confines of the PE lesson and integrates with various subjects across the curriculum.  By incorporating cross-curricular activities, we aim to enhance children' learning experiences and demonstrate the practical applications of physical education in real-life contexts.  Ultimately, our PE curriculum is designed to raise achievement and foster sporting excellence among our children.  We are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment that empowers children and allows them to reach their full potential.

Implementation

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of PESSPA involves the following:

• Staff Mentoring, CPD and INSET
• PE = Planned progressive learning that takes place within school curriculum timetabled time
• School Sport = the structured learning that takes place beyond the curriculum
• Physical Activity = a broad term that described bodily movement, posture and balance that include habitual activities

Impact

Our PESSPA curriculum is planned to demonstrate progression year on year. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods: 

• Pupil voice
• Learning walks
• Staff surveys
• Evaluation of enquiry question
•  Commentaries