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Whitstable Junior School

Whitstable Junior School

Learning today for life tomorrow

Physical Education

Our aim at Whitstable Junior School is to foster a lifelong passion for physical activity in all children, no matter their starting point, while developing respect, competence, and confidence in Sport.

We believe that Physical Education and being active & leading a healthy lifestyle are vital parts of school life and ultimately impact on our children’s future well-being and future achievement.  Our PE curriculum is designed to inspire a lifelong love for physical activity and sports, ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to excel and succeed regardless of their starting point. It is therefore our intent to provide an inclusive, broad and balanced PE curriculum that ensures ALL children will benefit, whether through enhancing existing skills, learning new skills or being introduced to new sports, clubs, teams and organisations.

Through offering a broad range of activities that cater to the diverse needs and interests of all pupils, including those with varying levels of ability or disabilities, our aim is to instil values such as resilience, community, challenge, independence and determination through low-stakes and supportive physical challenges, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence amongst the children.

Moreover, the intent of the PE curriculum aligns closely with the school's values of respect and kindness and our vision of 'Learning for Life tomorrow', emphasising the importance of maintaining physical well-being, mental health, and overall academic success. It is underpinned by high expectations for all pupils, encouraging them to strive for personal excellence and celebrating progress and achievements at every level.

At Whitstable Junior School we ensure that we deliver well-structured lessons that are engaging, purposeful, and differentiated to meet the needs of all pupils. We use the GetSetForPE scheme as a basis for our lessons, which are then carefully adapted to meet the needs of the different classes, providing a balance between developing fundamental movement skills, promoting physical fitness, and fostering social and emotional well-being through teamwork and collaboration.

We ensure that all children have access to high-quality resources, facilities, and equipment to support their learning and participation in a wide range of physical activities. Teachers are skilled and knowledgeable in delivering PE lessons that are not only challenging but also enjoyable, creating a positive and supportive learning environment where pupils feel motivated to participate and improve.

Furthermore, the school promotes a culture of inclusivity and equality in PE, where all pupils are encouraged to take part in activities regardless of their background, gender, or physical ability. Differentiation strategies and the mainstream core standards are used effectively to support pupils with additional needs, ensuring that they are able to fully engage and progress within the PE curriculum.

We  provide team competitions, both intra- and interschool. We enter many varied competitions, such as football, dodgeball, speed stacking, handball, basketball, tag rugby, cricket and dance competitions through working with HBHS School Games Organiser.

We ensure that our disadvantaged children have early access to after-school clubs and support the payment of clubs through Sports Premium money. When selecting children for competitions, we consider those children who may not otherwise have these opportunities or that could then be encouraged to take up that sport, over the importance of winning.

The impact of the PE curriculum at Whitstable Junior School is evident in the holistic development of pupils who demonstrate improved physical literacy, enhanced well-being, and a positive attitude towards leading an active lifestyle. Pupils show increased confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills, translating their learning from PE into other areas of their academic and personal lives.

Through regular assessment and feedback, teachers are able to track the progress of individual pupils and provide targeted support to help them achieve their full potential in PE. Pupils' achievements and successes are celebrated widely within the school community, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment that motivates them to continue striving for excellence.

Additionally, the PE curriculum contributes to creating a positive school ethos where physical activity and sports are valued and integrated into the wider school culture. Pupils develop a passion for sportsmanship, fair play, and healthy competition, shaping their attitudes and behaviours towards maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle beyond their time in school.

In conclusion, our PE curriculum is inclusive and holistic and prepares children to lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives both within and beyond the school environment.

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