Physical Education and Games

Pupils are taught seven areas of activity, which fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum at Key Stage Three: Games, Athletics, Basketball, Dance, Gymnastics, Swimming and Outdoor and Adventurous Activities.

Games are a very important part of our curriculum, including sports such as Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Cricket. Basic skills are taught through to game playing. It is hoped that pupils will not only enjoy these Games lessons but will strive to represent school teams in one or more of the major Games.

Gymnastics follows the theme of advanced movements and techniques of balance. Emphasis is on developing body strength, quality in extension, clarity of body shape and methods of weight bearing.

In Swimming the pupils will be taught the correct technique for the three major strokes. Emphasis will be placed on improving and developing the overall efficiency of these strokes through a variety of drills. The pupils will also participate in the ASA ‘Speed Award Scheme’.

Basketball has been introduced into the curriculum to develop confidence and ability in catching, passing, dribbling and shooting skills. These skills are then incorporated into small-sided games and competitive matches.

Dance develops the idea of body action to be used in as many different ways as possible. These include the main actions of gesture, turn, travel, growing, leaping, stretching and balance. Pupils will have the opportunity to perform in the school ‘Dance Show’.

Athletics continues to develop running, throwing and jumping techniques as already introduced in earlier years. More emphasis is on style and technique and involvement with safety in competition. The pupils will participate in the England Schools Key Stage 3 Athletics Award Scheme throughout the summer term.

Outdoor and Adventure Activities are combined in an activity weekend at the end of the First Form. Activities include kayaking, caving, climbing and ropes under qualified supervision.

The aim of Physical Education is to promote physical activity at all times in order to encourage a healthy lifestyle. As individuals, in pairs or as a team, pupils are guided in safe practice, finding solutions, responding to various challenges and tasks and refining movement with practice. Control of performance and accuracy are developed and the ability to judge simply or analyse one’s own and others’ performances. Pupils are also instructed on the importance of warming up, sustaining an energetic activity for an appropriate period of time and cooling down afterwards. They should understand at this stage the short-term effects of exercise on the body.

A variety of methods are used to introduce and develop skills in these areas of activity. Experimentation, problem solving, basic skill learning and repetition, through to the introduction of rules and full game situations are used. Much of the learning process is still guided by the teacher at this stage.