Physical education
At Dereham St Nicholas Junior School, Physical Education is taught in line with National Curriculum Physical Education requirements and, in the light of recent developments, the recommendations of QCA. Reference has also been made to the key skills adopted at National level. Through the Physical Education we teach, we aim to offer the children the opportunity to:
– Become skilful and intelligent performers
– Acquire and develop skills, performing with increasing physical competence and confidence, in a range of physical activities and contexts
– Learn how to select and apply skills, tactics and composition ideas to suit activities that need difference approaches and ways of thinking.
– Develop their ideas in a creative way
– Set targets for themselves and compete against others individually and as team members
– Understand what it takes to persevere, succeed and acknowledge others success
¨ Respond to a variety of challenges in a range of physical context and environments
– Take the initiative, lead activity and focus on improving aspects of their own performance
– Discover their own aptitudes and preferences for different activities
– Making informal decisions about the importance of exercise in their lives
– Develop positive attitudes in Physical Education
(QCA Physical Education Teachers Guide)
Organisation
Children are to be taught in mixed ability groups. The children are only taught in ability groups for swimming. Teachers are guided through the School Policy on Teaching and Learning and can also refer to the teaching and learning expectations in the Teachers Guide of the QCA Physical Education document. Each child is treated as an individual, and given equal opportunities to participate in activities.
In line with NC and QCA, the following activities will be taught during Key Stage 2:
¨ Dance activities
¨ Games activities
¨ Gymnastic activities
¨ Swimming activities
¨ Athletic activities
¨ Outdoor and Adventurous activities
Teachers are supported through the following materials:
¨ QCA Scheme of Work for Key Stage 2
¨ Primary school gymnastics – Val Sabin
¨ Primary school dance – Val Sabin
¨ Safe practice in physical education and school sport – BAALPE
Health & Safety
Teachers are very aware of safety issues during PE lessons and will ensure that health and safety issues are an integral part of their planing. Emphasis will be placed on the removal of jewellery and warming up before exercise. No child will be allowed to participate in Physical Education with earrings present – taping is not acceptable.
There are two copies of Safe Practice in Physical Education, which are available to staff to make them aware of relevant safety issues.
The children swim at Dereham Pool, where the County School swimming teacher, Mr. Paul Robson and a team of qualified lifeguards, ensure children are aware of safety issues. Schoolteachers must be present at the poolside. Teacher/pupil ratios should not exceed 1 : 20 in the main pool and 1 : 10 in the learner pool. Parents can be used to assist with teaching.
Reporting and assessing of achievement in Physical Education is undertaken within the school reporting system. Recent recommendations from the County P.E.advisor suggest that there is little need for formal assessment keeping in the subject, where pupils attainment dictates future planning.
Staff provide extra-curricular activities at lunchtimes and after school. These vary from year to year, depending upon staff interests and strengths, time and resources.
Review of policy
This policy is an updated from previous versions in use at Dereham St. Nicholas Junior School. It was updated by staff working under the co-ordination of Mr.K.Pink on 2nd November 2009.
The policy should be monitored as an ongoing process and an evaluation into the effectiveness of the policy should be undertaken on a bi-annual basis.
It is anticipated that this policy will be reviewed no later than July, 2012.
