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Physical Education at Oxhey Wood 

Our Vision for PE 

Physical Education is a vital component of every child's development, supporting their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. At Oxhey Wood, we recognise that high-quality PE is both a physical and cultural entitlement, enabling children to learn new skills, maintain fitness, and access an enriching aspect of communal life that builds character and embeds values such as fairness, respect, and resilience. 

At Oxhey Wood, we are committed to fostering a lifelong love of physical activity by providing a broad, balanced, and inspiring PE curriculum that encourages all children to discover activities they enjoy and develop healthy habits for the future. We aim to equip children with the skills, confidence, and enthusiasm to become physically active individuals who understand the importance of exercise for both body and mind. 

Intent 

Our PE curriculum aims to: 

  • Enable all children to adopt active lifestyles and understand the benefits of physical activity 

  • Develop competence in a broad range of physical activities across the National Curriculum, including swimming 

  • Ensure children are physically active for sustained periods of time 

  • Provide opportunities to engage in competitive sports and activities, both individually and as part of a team 

  • Instil values of fair play, resilience, teamwork, determination, and respect 

  • Build self-confidence, perseverance, and a sense of achievement 

  • Help children develop evaluation skills and understand how to improve performance 

  • Meet the needs of all children, ensuring inclusion for all in every PE lesson 

  • Lay the foundation for a lifelong commitment to health and fitness 

 

Implementation 

Physical Education is taught through two weekly lessons, ensuring all children have regular opportunities to engage in high-quality PE. A positive attitude towards physical activity is cultivated across EYFS and Key Stages 1 and 2, with an emphasis on inclusion and the belief that every child can achieve success. 

Lessons are delivered by class teachers and PE specialists, supported by comprehensive planning through our established PE scheme ‘Get Set 4 PE’.  

Our PE Lessons Aim to: 

  • Ensure children have fun and enjoy being active 

  • Help children learn, practice, and secure a range of skills and tactics 

  • Promote success and build self-confidence 

  • Develop positive sporting attitudes, including resilience and teamwork 

  • Foster understanding of rules and encourage adherence to them 

  • Introduce children to positive competition, both individually and in teams 

  • Provide a safe and supportive environment for physical activity 

 

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 

Physical development is a key focus in the Early Years, with children engaging in daily energetic play in outdoor learning areas. Reception pupils participate in timetabled PE lessons where they develop fundamental movement skills, including: 

  • Ball skills 

  • Throwing and catching 

  • Balance and coordination 

  • Gymnastics 

  • Dance and creative movement 

Additionally, children in EYFS benefit from a 'free flow' approach during continuous provision, enabling them to play outside throughout the day. Resources such as balls, hoops, and dance ribbons support the development of gross motor skills, helping children work towards the Physical Development Early Learning Goal. 

Key Stage 1 

In Key Stage 1, children build on their fundamental movement skills through activities such as gymnastics, dance, games, and athletics. Lessons are designed to foster independence, collaboration, and skill development. By the end of Year 2, children should have developed secure foundations for movement through acquiring adequate levels of Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS). 

By the end of Key Stage 1, children are expected to: 

  • Master basic movements, including running, jumping, throwing, and catching 

  • Develop balance, agility, and coordination and apply these in a range of activities 

  • Participate in team games, learning simple tactics for attacking and defending 

  • Perform dances using simple movement patterns 

Key Stage 2 

In Key Stage 2, children apply and refine their skills across a variety of sports and activities, including dance, gymnastics, athletics, football, netball, rounders, cricket, tennis, hockey, dodgeball, tag rugby and badminton. Lessons emphasise teamwork, cooperation, and tactical thinking while providing opportunities for individual growth and achievement.  

By the end of Key Stage 2, children are expected to: 

  • Use running, jumping, throwing, and catching in isolation and in combination 

  • Play competitive games, applying basic principles for attacking and defending 

  • Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control, and balance 

  • Perform dances using a range of movement patterns 

  • Take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges 

  • Compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best 

Swimming 

In Year 5 children attend swimming lessons where the focus is on ensuring children meet National Curriculum requirements: 

  • Swim competently, confidently, and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 meters 

  • Use a range of strokes effectively 

  • Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations 

 

Impact 

Through our PE curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities, children leave school with: 

  • The skills, knowledge, and attitudes to lead healthy, active lives 

  • High levels of fitness and well-developed motor skills 

  • Real enjoyment of sport and exercise 

  • Confidence and readiness for the sporting opportunities available in secondary school and beyond 

  • Understanding of the social and physical benefits of sport 

  • Character strengths including resilience, fairness, respect, and teamwork 

  • A desire for personal improvement and active living 

Opportunities to engage in sport and challenging activities help children develop resilience, build character, and embed important values. These experiences prepare them to confidently embrace the next stages of their learning journey and maintain physical activity throughout their lives. 

 

Inclusion in PE 

We are committed to ensuring that every child can fully participate in and benefit from our PE curriculum. We provide tailored support for children with physical or learning disabilities, ensuring that activities are adapted to meet individual needs while maintaining challenge and achievement: 

  • Modifying activities and equipment to ensure accessibility 

  • Providing additional support from staff during lessons 

  • Focusing on individual progress and personal bests, encouraging all children to thrive 

We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every child can enjoy the physical, social, and emotional benefits of physical education. 

 

 

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