John Paul II P.S

Physical Education Policy

John Paul II Primary School believes that Physical Education is essential to the development of the whole child.

A broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum, relating to the Northern Ireland Curriculum will be provided for a minimum of 60 minutes per week.

AIMS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

  • To develop a sense of enjoyment and positive attitudes to participation in physical activity including perseverance sporting behaviour and the ability to cope with success and failure.
  • To promote physical activity, physical development and a healthy lifestyle.
  • To develop fine and gross motor skills.
  • To develop social co-operation, a sense of fair play and demonstrate a respect for others and the environment.
  • To promote and develop safe practice in physical activities.
  • To provide equal opportunities for all children to achieve their full potential in a range of physical activities and contexts.
  • To develop and enhance self-esteem and confidence and express their feelings in a subject in which success does not depend on academic ability.
  • To develop creative, aesthetic and linguistic understanding through active participation
  • To encourage children to continue participation in physical activity after school and in later life.

We aim to provide all children with a happy, secure and stimulating learning environment that will meet the needs of each individual child.

Framework for Key Stage 1

The early years are crucial in laying the foundations of physical competency and positive attitudes to physical activity. Pupils in Key Stage 1 should experience a range of activities that develop a wide range of skills. A sense of fun, enjoyment and achievement should pervade all activities.

At the beginning of Key Stage 1 much of the activity will be exploratory play in which pupils, individually, with a partner, or in small groups, respond to suggestions of the teacher, or to the stimuli and challenges provided by music, space or apparatus. With guidance, the play will become more structured and lead to the development of skills.

Pupils will be allowed time to develop confidence, both as individuals and members of a group. They will learn to listen and respond to guidance from the teachers, and to talk about their experiences in physical education lessons.

Although presented as discrete areas, the programme of study should be taught frequently as integrated lessons, using various movement themes in different contexts. As pupils develop skills in the areas of physical education, lessons should focus on developing skills in these specific areas.

The programmes of study for key Stage One include:

The fundamental skills, knowledge and concepts of PE are categorised in the following areas of study

  • Athletics- running, jumping, throwing
  • Dance- body actions, space, dynamics, composition
  • Games- sending, receiving, travelling
  • Gymnastics

Framework for Key Stage 2

Building on the experiences gained during Key stage 1, pupils should be given opportunities to develop their skills and apply them to more complex personal challenges. They should be given sufficient guidance to cope with these challenges. They should continue to experience success in order to reinforce a positive attitude to physical activity.

The exploratory approach should be continued but interspersed more frequently with guidance in order to achieve good quality performance in each of the areas of the programme of study. Pupils should be encouraged to discuss the physical education activities and to develop an understanding of them and their relationship to health and exercise in everyday life.

The programme of study for Key Stage Two includes:

The fundamental skills, knowledge and concepts of PE are categorised in the following areas of study.

  • Athletics-running, walking, jumping, throwing
  • Dance-body actions, space, dynamics, composition
  • Games-movement, games skills, types, playing and adapting games
  • Gymnastics-body actions, variations in movement, composition and sequencing
  • Swimming

The school encourages all children to participate in P.E. unless excused with a parental note or a medical problem. If children are excused it is suggested that they watch the lesson to keep up with the progress of the class and, if appropriate, take part in the lesson in a meaningful way i.e. timekeeping, measuring, assessing, writing a brief account or diagram of what is happening.

If children are unable to participate in a swimming lesson they must remain behind in school, as the teacher’s attention will be focused on the poolside.

Health and Safety

The school encourages children to change for physical education, partly for hygiene but also to ensure that clothing is suited to the physical activity.

P1/2Children remove jumpersand ties and change into gym shoes

P3.Children should remove jumpers and ties and change into shorts and gym shoes

P4-7Children should change into shorts, suitable sports top and gym shoes

All children must change back into their uniform after PE (unless lesson takes place during the last lesson)

All jewelleryshould be removed for PE lessons

Equipment
  • Teachers should ensure that the hall is cleared of any unnecessary furniture and that fire exits are left clear at all times.
  • Check that equipment is safe to use and suitable for the intended activity-Report any faults to co-ordinator.
  • Ensure adequate supervision at all times.
  • Pupils should be taught safe practice in physical activities and how to achieve this.
  • Pupils should only be set tasks that they are sufficiently competent to cope with.

Lesson Checklist

  • Supervised entry into the hall/playground.
  • Progression for safety- children taking responsibility for their own safety.
  • Introduction/warm up.
  • Development of lesson.
  • Conclusion/ cool down.
  • Appropriate apparatus and teaching styles used.
  • Differentiation considered for all pupils especially those with special needs.
  • Appropriate teacher involvement, this should include appropriate footwear i.e. trainers.

Excellence in PE is celebrated in display and performance, displays of dance and gymnastics, participation in sporting competitions, annual Sports Day and Swimming Gala.

N.Bannon

November 2015

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John Paul II P.S.