Physical Education at Diamond Wood

“We will provide children with the knowledge, skills and motivation necessary to equip them for a healthy, active lifestyle and a lifelong participation in physical activity and sport.”

At Diamond Wood Community Academy physical activity is highly regarded and embedded into our curriculum. We understand the need for all children to leave our school physically literate, with the foundations of a healthy, active lifestyle. We stand by our strap line of ‘promoting fit and active learners, to fuel a happy, healthy lifestyle’. During their time at Diamond Wood Community Academy, we want to inspire and help our children develop a love of physical activity and sport. On this path we hope they are able to develop knowledge in the fundamental skills that underpin physical activity and sport. Developing these skills will prepare our children for their future physical development and offer new opportunities throughout their future school years and into their adult lives.

Click here to read our full Physical Education Vision and Intent statement.

A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

National Curriculum 2014

Position Statement

We are constantly striving to improve our Physical Education Curriculum in order to ensure our intended and implemented teaching and learning opportunities have the maximum impact upon pupil outcomes.

Click here to read our position statement and find out about our areas for development this year.

PE Timetable

Here at Diamond Wood, we teach PE to all pupils in Key Stage 1 twice a week. They have an indoor PE session and an outdoor PE session.

In Nursery and Reception (EYFS) pupils also participate in weekly PE lesson in our school hall. Additional opportunities for children to develop and consolidate their physical development are also planned for every day. Physical development is a Prime Area of learning within EYFS. In the early years, children are establishing patterns of activity which will affect their whole future. If activity and healthy eating are established early on good habits tend to remain. Physical development can help with the maintenance of a healthy weight and the development of strong bones, muscles and heart.

PE Leader

Our Physical Education Leader is Miss Sowerby. She is also a Year 2 teacher and is very passionate about providing high quality PE learning experiences for all pupils.

If you would like to speak to Miss Sowerby, email office@diamondwoodacademy.co.uk and address the email to her specifically.

Our Approach

At Diamond Wood Academy, Get Set 4 P.E is used for the teaching of P.E from Nursery through to Year 2. Get Set 4 P.E share our vision that P.E is more than just physical development. Taking into account the demographic of our community, we recognise the need for a P.E curriculum that shares our intent to ensure progression in physical, social, emotional and vocabulary development.

As a non P.E specialist, Get Set 4 P.E provides a continuous opportunity to develop my own subject knowledge as well as support others. In addition to this, Get Set 4 P.E offers support to all staff in the form of schemes of work, staff knowledge organisers, top tips, glossaries and supporting videos. Staff are able to adapt lessons and units of work to meet the learning needs of individuals in their class. Get Set 4 P.E supports staff in how activities can be adapted through the STEP principle (Space, Task, Equipment, People).

Physical Education and School Sports Policy

We have developed and produced a PE and School Sports policy to ensure our values are applied consistently, define clear expectations, and help provide a framework for staff and pupils alike.

Please click here to view our PE Education and School Sports policy which has been updated for the academic year 2024-2025.

Statutory Requirements

The National Curriculum for Physical Education sets out the statutory guidance for teaching Physical Education to KS1 pupils. Our Physical Education curriculum has been designed to ensure children learn the required knowledge and skills set out by the National Curriculum for Physical Education.

To view the statutory guidance for Physical Education click here.

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework provides guidance for teachers focusing on developing children's physical development within the Early Years (Nursery and Reception). The main areas for learning which are focused upon to provide the building blocks for future PE learning are as follows;

Personal, Social and Emotional development
Physical Development

For more information on how these areas of learning have been built into our physical education curriculum please see our progression map below.

Our Physical Education Long Term Plan

Substantive and Disciplinary Concepts

To download this information as a document please click here.

Physical Education Progression Map

Our physical education curriculum progression map has been designed to show how we intend to teach our pupils the declarative, procedural and vocabulary knowledge we aim for them to learn, know, remember and do by the end of their time with us here at Diamond Wood.

In designing this progression map we have consulted with our local feeder schools and settings in order to ensure our pupils experiences before and after coming to our school allow for progression of knowledge and skills to be built upon and continue.

The progression map allows all staff and key stakeholders in school to have a secure understanding of end of year expectations for all year groups.

In addition to using the progression map to guide teaching and learning, our PE subject leader creates half termly Medium Term Plans for all year groups. These plans clearly outline the sequence of teaching and learning which will take place during the particular unit of work (or planned opportunities in Nursery and Reception). This supports our educators in ensuring consistency in approach, opportunity and delivery across school, where we have four classes per year group.

The subject leader also creates and sources high quality resources which support the teaching and learning taking place. Our smartboard lesson aids provide additional planning notes and activity resources which can be accessed by any adults delivering lessons. This supports the continued professional development of our Educational Teaching Assistants, Cover Supervisors and also any supply teachers who work within school. Again, this ensures our high expectations are consistent across school at all times.

To view our physical education curriculum progression map please click here.

Key Vocabulary

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the crucial role that vocabulary plays in pupils’ learning and academic success. As such, we have developed a vocabulary progression map for each subject curriculum to ensure that all our pupils have a strong foundation in subject-specific vocabulary.

Vocabulary is the foundation upon which pupils build their understanding of different subjects. Tier 3 words, which are subject-specific terms, play a particularly significant role in deepening pupils’ knowledge and enabling them to access complex concepts effectively. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing Tier 3 words within each subject, we aim to:

Enhance pupils’ comprehension and communication skills.
Enable pupils to express themselves accurately and confidently in subject-specific contexts.
Facilitate pupils’ ability to independently access and understand subject materials.
Support pupils’ critical thinking by developing their subject-specific knowledge and expertise.
Improve pupils’ overall academic performance and raise attainment levels.

To view our Physical Education Key Vocabulary Glossary please click here.

Learn to speak like a Sportsperson...

Specialist Support: Project Sport

We work closely with Project Sport to ensure ongoing CPD for all staff. This continuous professional development has enabled staff to develop their subject knowledge and confidence in the teaching of P.E and delivery of physical activity. Working with highly qualified and experienced coaches has enabled staff to observe and teach with the opportunity for regular professional dialogue and feedback. This partnership has also enabled us to respond to pupil voice by offering sporting activities which staff otherwise wouldn’t have had the knowledge or expertise to deliver, such as implementing cricket into our curriculum in response to children’s wishes.

Living Streets Travel Tracker

We are active participants in engaging with Living Streets Travel Tracker to encourage active travel. With consideration of our aim for children to develop the knowledge and understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, we use this as an opportunity to work closely with families to ensure that they are aware of the benefits of active travel. Daily engagement with Living Streets Travel Tracker has enabled us to increase the amount of active travel and reduce the number of families travelling to school by car.

School Games

As a school, we are members of the local School Games Programme, enabling us to offer opportunities for competitive sports and for pupils to strive for their personal best. School Games share our vision of making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people and therefore contributes to the wide range of opportunities we are able to offer including inter-school competitions and events, training for young leaders, balance ability programmes to increase the number of children able to glide and progress to pedals, and opportunities for participation for pupils with SEND and additional needs.

Key Text Spine

We have developed a key text spine for each curriculum area in our school to enhance the integration of reading into all aspects of our pupils' learning experiences. By carefully selecting texts that align with specific subjects, we support comprehension and retention while making connections between literature and the curriculum.

These key texts will either be introduced within units of work to reinforce learning objectives or recommended by teachers as enjoyable reads for pupils. Each classroom features a designated reading area where these texts are readily accessible, ensuring that children have opportunities to engage with them at least weekly.

Through this initiative, we aim to foster a love of reading, encourage exploration of diverse literature, and build a vibrant reading community that supports essential literacy skills and a lifelong passion for learning.

To view our Key Text Spine for Physical Education click here.

Developing SMSC within our Physical Education Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the importance of providing a holistic education that fosters the Social, Moral, Spiritual, and Cultural (SMSC) development of our early years and Key Stage 1 pupils. Our Physical Education (PE) curriculum plays a crucial role in promoting these essential strands. Through implementing our SMSC-focused PE curriculum effectively, we will provide our pupils with a well-rounded education that not only develops their physical skills but also nurtures their social, moral, spiritual, and cultural growth, preparing them to become responsible and empathetic citizens of the future. The table below outlines how each SMSC strand is promoted within our EYFS and KS1 PE curriculum.

Developing British Values within our Physical Education Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we place a strong emphasis on promoting British values within our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 Physical Education (PE) curriculum. The table below reflects our commitment to providing a well-rounded education that prepares our pupils to become responsible, respectful, and active members of society. Physical Education plays a vital role in the holistic development of young learners.

Developing the Protected Characteristics within our Physical Education Curriculum

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we are committed to promoting and supporting the protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010 within our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1) Physical Education (PE) curriculum. This policy is designed to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, are given equal opportunities to fully participate in and benefit from our physical education curriculum. By promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity, we aim to provide a positive and supportive learning environment for all our pupils. Promoting the protected characteristics is crucial in fostering a sense of belonging, acceptance, and respect among our pupils. By creating an inclusive and diverse PE curriculum, we can enhance our pupils’ physical, social, and emotional development, helping them to become well-rounded individuals who are accepting and understanding of others. This emphasis on equality enables us to nurture a positive and harmonious school culture, contributing to a sense of community and reducing incidents of discrimination or exclusion.

PE & Personal Development Curriculum Links

At Diamond Wood Community Academy, we recognise the strong connection between PE and PHSE (Personal Development at DWCA). Physical Education provides an ideal platform for developing personal, social, and emotional skills, while PHSE complements this by providing pupils with the necessary knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions about their well-being and lifestyles. The connection between these subjects is further strengthened through cross-curricular opportunities and collaborative learning experiences. This integration ensures that pupils are able to apply the skills and knowledge from PE and PHSE in various contexts, enhancing their overall development. The connection between PE and PHSE is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Emotional Well-being: Engaging in physical activities helps pupils to manage their emotions, build resilience, and develop self-confidence. PHSE provides opportunities for pupils to reflect on these emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation, and understand the importance of emotional well-being.
Healthy Lifestyles: PE imparts crucial knowledge and skills related to physical fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. PHSE reinforces this learning by exploring personal choices, decision-making, and the social implications of healthy and unhealthy behaviours.
Social Skills: PE offers a unique environment for students to develop their social skills, such as teamwork, communication, and cooperation. PHSE complements these skills by providing opportunities for discussions on relationships, respect, and the importance of positive interactions.

To view our dedicated Personal Development webpage for more information please click here.

Other Subject Links

PE has significant links to other subject areas, promoting a cross-curricular approach to education. These links include:

Science: PE provides opportunities to study the science of movement, exercise, and the human body. PHSE explores the impact of science on personal health and well-being, such as the effects of diet, medicines, and exercise on the body.
Maths: PE involves measurement, data analysis, and calculations related to fitness and physical performance. PHSE encourages numeracy skills through examining statistics on health issues and evaluating personal choices using data.
English: PE provides opportunities for pupils to develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as their ability to express and justify their opinions. This includes discussion-based activities, presentations, and written reflections.

Helping at Home