Physical Education

At Harris Primary Academy Purley Way, we believe that Physical Education and sport have a vital role to play in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children. Physical Education and sport are important in giving children the knowledge, understanding and the tools to make informed choices about healthy living and have a positive impact on their own health and well-being.

Harris Primary Academy Purley Way aims to provide a broad and balanced Physical Education curriculum to aid children’s increasing self-confidence in their ability to manage themselves and their bodies within a variety of movement situations. Through a balance of individual, paired and group activities, we aim to cater for the different strengths, needs and preferences of each child, using differentiated activities where appropriate. We believe that through the variety of opportunities that Physical Education offers, children can develop a sense of personal achievement, fair play, teamwork, competition and an understanding of the ways in which sport can transcend social and cultural boundaries. Therefore it is essential that the children have the opportunity to meet these aims.

HF Curriculum Lead - Sam French

Intent:

Introduction, Vision and Philosophy 
Physical Education is very high on the agenda for all our pupils at Harris Primary Academy Purley Way. From EYFS to Year 6 and beyond, we recognise it is the only subject whose primary focus is on physical development, in addition to building on spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. 

We believe that at a time when there are growing health concerns over children nationally, we should inspire our children to become healthy, active learners.  Our curriculum aims to be the springboard towards a physically active life by introducing children to different sports and movements.  Moreover, P.E enables children to develop teamwork, leadership and resilience in an alternative setting to the classroom. 

All of our students have the opportunity to visit local sports facilities and become inspired at the Harris Federation Sports Day.   

Implementation: 

We recognise that children join Harris Primary Purley Way with different physical abilities, and ensure that everyone is catered for.  This means providing all children with at two hours of PE a week, as well as other sporting opportunities (in after school clubs, lunchtime clubs, or through competitions) for those that want to pursue particular sports or events. 

Physical Education at Harris Primary Purley Way teaches the key elements of the National Curriculum and allows for them to be applied in a practical context.  We work closely with Croydon School Sports Partnership and use their Primary Schools Games Competition Calendar to select key events and teach that particular sport for one half term. The lessons are divided into the key skills needed to succeed in each sport. At the end of the half term we take part in intra competitions, allowing the children to apply their skills. 

Our teachers deliver PE using a consistent formula which enables children to succeed, but more importantly, understand the value of this success. Teachers are given CPD training and are supported by expert coaches and can team teach with the PE coordinator.   

Children who meet the National Curriculum objectives by demonstrating aptitude in skill, competitiveness, fairness and respect are chosen to represent the school at cross-school events. In Year 4, pupils are provided with swimming lessons to ensure they are taught the vital life skills of becoming proficient swimmers with an understanding of water safety. In Year 3 the school has taken on board the national ‘Mile a Day’. This is 10 minutes of jogging every day and the benefits are great; the initiative aims to promote a positive mind, positive body hopefully leading to a healthy positive future both physically and mentally.  

Impact 

Our teachers make formative assessments throughout the year, and records children’s progress in a teacher book; the is a record of the learning that has taken place and notes on pupil development and progression. Every child’s progress is measured against the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2, which is fed back to parents at the end of the year.