St. Mary’s C.E. Primary School Physical Education Policy
The Purpose and Meaning of Physical Education
What is Physical Education (P.E)? Physical Education is part of the National Curriculum concerned with the development of physical skills, knowledge and understanding in games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor activities and swimming. Physical Education is about pupils learning about themselves: their capacities; their potential and their limitations. However, it goes beyond the individual and understanding of oneself – it is learning how to work with and to respect others. What are the aims of the P.E curriculum? We aim to ensure that each child: will be given a wide variety of opportunities to develop his/her full potential; will be physically active and find enjoyment in physical activity; will develop positive attitudes to participating in physical activities and games; will develop an awareness of their own and other people’s safety in a range of different environments; will be taught in a safe, structured environment in which he/she can develop physical skills become self-motivated and acquire confidence and pride in physical achievement; will develop an appreciation of creative and skilful performances in themselves and in others.
Health and Safety Issues in P.E
To ensure the safety of pupils taking part in physical activity the following guidelines must be adhered to. Class teachers and qualified sports coaches must keep a record of all children with a medical condition that may affect their ability to participate in physical activity. All equipment.is checked annually by an external professional body Safe and effective exercise procedures are taught and adopted in all activity sessions within and outside of school; this must include a warm-up and cool down. Teachers must carry a risk assessment prior to beginning their lesson and adapt their activity accordingly. Teachers and qualified sports coaches must check that equipment is safe and suitable on the day it is used. Children must change clothes and footwear for P.E. An emergency signal must be agreed with the children. The teacher or qualified sports coaches must limit the number of children on any piece of apparatus. Apparatus must be lifted and carried correctly according to the size and age of the child. All pupils should set out the equipment as part of their Health and Safety learning. Accidents must be written in the accident book (see Welfare Officer). P.E/Andreou/Feb06/3pages 1
Clothing
All children should change into a P.E kit consisting of uniform shorts and T-shirt. Long hair should be securely tied back and all hairgrips removed. Teachers and qualified sports coaches should set a good example by wearing appropriate clothing and footwear. (The minimum legal requirement is footwear). Children with veruccas should wear plimsolls. T-shirts must always be tucked in. Jewellery must be removed (earrings covered by a plaster, if not removed). If a child routinely forgets their P.E kit then their parents will be notified in writing and asked to respond Gymnastics, Apparatus and Dance - must be done in bare feet unless there are any medical reasons for this. Plimsolls may be worn for warming up. Outdoor Games – Trainers or other appropriate footwear (e.g. football boots) must be worn. During cold weather children may wear tracksuits or a sweatshirt/jumper. In extremely cold weather it may not be appropriate to have outdoor lessons; the teacher’s professional judgement will be used. Inside games – plimsolls must be worn. Swimming – any pupil whose hair length is past their chin must wear a swimming cap.
Differentiation/ Equal Opportunities
We aim to encourage all pupils to reach their full potential through the provision of varied opportunities. We recognise that our curriculum planning must allow pupils to gain a progressively deeper understanding and competency as they move through our school. All children must be given equal access to P.E irrespective of race, gender, level of ability and nationality.
Planning and Organising a P.E lesson
The details given below will apply in general terms to lessons in Games, Gymnastics, Dance, Athletics and Swimming. Opening Activity (warm up) Stretches Raise the pulse rate Revise tasks covered in previous lessons Main Activity (skill development and application) Practise and consolidate skills individually or in small groups. Then apply skills to problem solving situations e.g. floor work, apparatus, dance etc.
P.E/Andreou/Feb06/3pages
2
Concluding Activity (cool down) Calm and relax the body Reflect on what has been done Prepare the children for a return to the class
The following checklist is useful for planning and organising a PE lesson:
have clear objectives to achieve; decide on grouping systems; have ready all equipment needed; check children are ready to work (e.g. hair tied back, earrings removed); check work area is safe; give clear and concise instructions; reinforce safety rules; check and return equipment when finished; challenge children – make some parts of the lesson physically demanding.
Assessing Children’s Work in P.E
The assessment of P.E is an integral part of teaching. Teachers and qualified sports coaches informally assess children on a constant basis. Assessment procedures should also be used in conjunction with the National Curriculum ‘End of Key Stage’ descriptors. Assessment allows teachers and qualified sports coaches to identify what has been learnt and to monitor pupils’ progress. Assessment should also diagnose and identify ways of overcoming particular learning difficulties. We assess children’s work through: observing how children perform and evaluate their work; listening to what children say as they plan their work; recording children’s work on videotape for discussion and analysis later; allowing children to observe and assess each other’s work. Please see and refer to the following important document: 1. BAALPE (1999), ‘Safe Practice In Physical Education.’
November 2005 PE Coordinator: M.Andreou
P.E/Andreou/Feb06/3pages
3