Intent

At Meadowhead Junior School, we believe that Physical Education plays an important role in developing the whole child. Our aim is for every pupil, regardless of their starting point or individual needs, to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and positive attitudes needed to lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives.

Through the PE Passport scheme, we provide a broad, balanced and progressive PE curriculum that enables all pupils to achieve the aims of the National Curriculum. Pupils experience a wide range of traditional and new sports and physical activities, developing their physical competence alongside their cognitive, social and emotional skills.

We aim to develop pupils who can learn, practise, apply and evaluate physical skills and knowledge. Pupils are encouraged to understand how to improve their performance, make decisions, solve problems and work effectively with others. We also recognise the importance of providing opportunities for pupils to participate in physical activity beyond curriculum PE. Through extra-curricular clubs, competitions, festivals and sporting events, pupils are encouraged to develop their interests, experience competition and represent the school. Our links with the Blackburn with Darwen School Games Organisers (SGO) support these opportunities and contribute to the development of an inclusive and varied sporting offer.

Ultimately, we want our pupils to develop a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity, understand the importance of being active and healthy, and leave Meadowhead Juniors with the confidence and skills to participate positively in physical activity beyond primary school.

Implementation

PE at Meadowhead Juniors is taught through the PE Passport scheme, which provides a structured and progressive curriculum across KS2. Lessons develop pupils' physical, cognitive, social and emotional learning through a wide variety of activities and sports.

All pupils receive two hours of high-quality PE each week. Staff use the PE Passport planning and resources to ensure that learning is progressive, while adapting activities and teaching approaches to meet the needs of individual pupils and groups.

Teaching follows the principles of Assessment for Learning, with teachers continually assessing pupils' knowledge, understanding and physical performance. Pupils are given opportunities to receive feedback, reflect on their performance, identify areas for improvement and apply their learning in new situations.

Lessons include a range of teaching styles and strategies, including:

• Teacher modelling and demonstration.
• Explicit teaching and explanation of skills and techniques.
• Guided and independent practice.
• Partner and group activities.
• Small-sided games and modified activities.
• Opportunities for pupils to make decisions and solve problems.
• Peer feedback and evaluation.
• Appropriate support and challenge.

Pupils are provided with different levels of challenge to develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours. Activities can be adapted through STEP, allowing teachers to alter the space, task, equipment or number of participants. This ensures that pupils are appropriately supported or challenged while maintaining high expectations.

Our participation in the Blackburn with Darwen School Games programme provides additional opportunities for pupils to take part in inter-school competitions, festivals and inclusive sporting events. The School Games Organisers also support the professional development of staff through CPD opportunities, training and networking, helping to develop teachers' knowledge, confidence and expertise in delivering high-quality PE. Where appropriate, PE learning is further enhanced through sporting visitors, specialist coaches, clubs and links with the wider community.

Impact

Through our PE curriculum, pupils at Meadowhead Juniors develop progressively secure physical skills and knowledge across a broad range of sports and physical activities.

Pupils:

• Demonstrate increasing competence, confidence and control when performing a range of physical skills.
• Apply skills and knowledge effectively in different activities, games and situations.
• Understand how to improve their own performance and respond positively to feedback.
• Make appropriate decisions, solve problems and apply tactics and strategies during physical activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of rules, techniques and strategies across a range of sports.
• Develop their physical fitness and understand the importance of regular physical activity for health and wellbeing.
• Work cooperatively with others, demonstrating communication, teamwork, leadership and respect.
• Show resilience, perseverance and a willingness to challenge themselves.
• Experience success and have their individual achievements valued, regardless of their starting point.
• Develop confidence through participation in extra-curricular activities, competitions, festivals and sporting events.

The impact of PE is monitored through ongoing assessment, observation, pupil voice, tracking of progress and evaluation of individual and group achievement. Teachers use assessment information to identify pupils requiring additional support or challenge and to inform future teaching.

By the end of KS2, pupils have developed a secure foundation of physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills. They are increasingly confident, active and resilient, understand how to improve their performance, and are equipped with the knowledge and positive attitudes needed to participate in physical activity and maintain an active lifestyle beyond Meadowhead Juniors.