Physical Education

** Also see the Sports Blog (under Class Pages) for details of our sporting endeavours - including our journey to Platinum Sports Mark status!**

PE at Checkendon Church of England (A) Primary School

Intent: why we teach PE

Our vision to unlock the unique voice within each child, fostering a lifelong aspiration of learning excellence, lies at the heart of the Checkendon Church of England (A) Primary School PE curriculum. Through a broad and inclusive programme of physical activity, games, swimming, judo, and dance, we aim to develop pupils’ fitness, coordination, teamwork, and leadership within a caring community.

Rooted in our values of respect, integrity, compassion, courage, and hope, the curriculum ensures that every pupil develops the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to lead healthy, active lives.

Our PE curriculum is designed to:

• Develop physical literacy, fitness, coordination, and fundamental movement skills across all ages.
• Promote teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence through participation in individual and group activities.
• Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own health and well-being.
• Provide leadership opportunities through our Young Leaders, who support sporting events and playtime activities.
• Offer inclusive extra-curricular opportunities, such as football, running, and dance clubs, with progression towards public performances like Sports Day and the Oxford New Theatre.
• Provide specialist coaching in swimming for all KS2 pupils during Term 1 and judo throughout the year.
• Compete in house competitions and partnership school events, including disability-friendly opportunities such as Boccia.
• Ensure all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, achieve success in line with their peers.
• Reflect our Christian values:
  • Respect for self, peers, and the rules of sport
  • Integrity in following rules and showing fairness
  • Compassion through supporting and encouraging others
  • Courage in trying new sports, challenges, and skills
  • Hope inspired by perseverance, improvement, and healthy competition

Implementation: how we teach PE

• Our PE curriculum is planned and delivered by our HLTA Sports Specialist TA and teachers, ensuring high-quality instruction and expertise.
• Pupils experience a broad and balanced range of activities, including gymnastics, dance, invasion games, athletics, striking and fielding, swimming, judo, and outdoor adventurous activities.
• Lessons build progressively, developing skills and understanding over time, with opportunities for pupils to apply skills in competitive and cooperative contexts.
• Pupils benefit from before and after school clubs, including football, running, and dance, which are open to all and provide enrichment beyond the curriculum.
• Young Leaders support sporting events, playtime activities, and peer mentoring, fostering responsibility and leadership skills.
• Dance club offers pupils the opportunity to rehearse and perform, building confidence and collaboration, culminating in performances at Sports Day and aspirations for Oxford New Theatre.
• Swimming lessons at the Oratory for KS2 pupils ensure water confidence and essential life skills, followed by weekly judo coaching to develop discipline, balance, and coordination.
• Pupils compete in house competitions and local partnership school events, including inclusive opportunities such as Boccia.
• Activities are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring access, challenge, and success for every pupil.
• Assessment is carried out through Sonar Small Steps, teacher observations, and performance tasks to track progress and identify next steps termly.
• Lessons follow the " I do", "we do", "you do" approach to model, guide, and release responsibility to pupils.

Impact: outcomes and evidence

Academic and physical development

• Pupils develop strength, coordination, agility, and confidence in a variety of physical activities.
• Understanding of healthy lifestyles, fitness, and personal goal-setting is progressive and embedded across year groups.
• Pupils gain swimming proficiency, judo skills, and competitive experience in a safe and supportive environment.

Personal development and character

• Pupils demonstrate resilience, determination, teamwork, and leadership.
• Young Leaders develop responsibility and empathy, supporting peers and contributing positively to the school community.
• Participation in clubs, performances, and competitions fosters confidence, self-esteem, and pride in achievement.

Social and cultural impact

• Pupils engage positively in group and team activities, respecting differences and celebrating achievements.
• Inclusive competitions ensure all pupils, including those with disabilities, can participate and excel.
• By the time they leave Checkendon, pupils are confident, active, and reflective, with the skills, character, and leadership qualities to lead healthy, purposeful lives.

Evaluation and continuous improvement

• Progress and attainment are monitored termly through Sonar Small Steps, pupil voice, work scrutiny, and observations.
• Governors and subject leaders monitor impact to ensure alignment with the school’s Christian vision and Ofsted priorities: curriculum quality, personal development, inclusion, and engagement.
• Participation in extra-curricular clubs, leadership roles, and competitions is tracked to ensure all pupils have opportunities to develop skills, leadership, and confidence.