At Birch Hill Primary School, Physical Education is highly valued as an essential part of every child's education. We recognise the important role that physical activity plays in promoting children's physical health, emotional wellbeing, confidence and academic success.

Our aim is to provide all pupils with high-quality physical education that develops competence, confidence and enjoyment in a wide range of physical activities. We encourage children to lead healthy, active lifestyles and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will support lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.

We have high expectations for every pupil and strive to ensure that all children, regardless of ability, can achieve success and reach their full potential.

National Curriculum Aims

The National Curriculum for Physical Education aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop competence in a broad range of physical activities.
• Are physically active for sustained periods of time.
• Engage in competitive sports and activities.
• Lead healthy and active lives.

Implementation

At Birch Hill, we use the Real PE programme alongside our outdoor PE curriculum to provide a carefully sequenced and progressive approach to physical education from Early Years through to Year 6.

The Real PE approach focuses on developing children's:

• Physical skills
• Personal skills
• Social skills
• Cognitive skills
• Creative skills
• Health and fitness knowledge

Lessons are designed around the development of fundamental movement skills, agility, balance and coordination, while also promoting resilience, teamwork, self-belief and healthy competition.

Our indoor and outdoor PE programmes are closely matched to ensure children can apply and develop key skills in different sporting contexts. For example, fundamental movement skills developed through Real PE are transferred into sports such as tennis, netball, football and basketball.

As pupils progress through the school, they build on prior learning and develop increasingly sophisticated physical skills and tactical understanding.

Dance

Dance forms an important part of our PE curriculum and provides opportunities for creativity, self-expression and collaboration.

Through dance, pupils:

• Develop coordination, balance and control.
• Create and perform movement sequences.
• Respond to music and stimuli creatively.
• Work collaboratively with others.
• Build confidence through performance opportunities.

An after-school dance club is also available to further develop pupils' interest and participation.

Competition and Enrichment

We are proud of the wide range of sporting opportunities available to our pupils. In addition to curriculum PE lessons, children can participate in numerous extra-curricular activities and competitive events.

Birch Hill regularly participates in Bracknell Forest sporting competitions and festivals, including:

• Athletics
• Football
• Tennis
• Cricket
• Triathlon events
• Cross-country
• Multi-sports festivals

These opportunities enable pupils to develop teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship and leadership skills while representing the school with pride.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Birch Hill Primary School, they will have developed the physical literacy, knowledge and confidence needed to participate successfully in a range of physical activities and sports.

They will:

• Demonstrate increasing proficiency in fundamental movement skills and sporting activities.
• Understand the importance of physical activity for healthy lifestyles.
• Show resilience, determination and teamwork.
• Participate positively in competitive and cooperative activities.
• Possess the confidence and motivation to continue leading active and healthy lives beyond primary school.