Intent

Why our PE curriculum looks like this:

PE at St. Thomas’ Catholic Primary School aims to develop a fun, high-quality physical education curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel individuals’ abilities in competitive sports and other physically-demanding activities. Our vision is to embed our school values of Aspirational, Christ Centred and Togetherness to provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Every child will access high quality PE and School Sport, including daily opportunities to participate in informal physical activity. Our children will have opportunities to compete in sport and other activities that build character and help embed values such as fairness and respect. We offer an inclusive, broad, varied and progressive curriculum where the aim is for our children to develop physically, creatively, socially and emotionally. PE at St. Thomas’ is an imperative element of the curriculum, which develops a need for healthy life styles, a balanced diet, positive growth mind-set and the resilience to persevere with activities that may be once have felt to challenging. We will ensure that all children are given the chance to participate in competitive sport, sports leadership and other physical activities that encourage a lifelong participation in sport. We are passionate about the need to teach children how to cooperate and collaborate with others, as part of a team, understanding fairness and equity of play to embed life-long values.

 “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” Michael Jordan

Implementation

How PE is taught at St. Thomas’:

Pupils at St. Thomas’ Catholic Primary School participate in weekly high quality PE and sporting activities. Our PE programme incorporates a variety of sports to ensure all children develop the confidence, tolerance and the appreciation of their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses. We provide opportunities for all children to engage in extra-curricular activities before, during and after school, in addition to competitive sporting events. This is an inclusive approach which endeavours to encourage not only physical development but also well-being for all pupils.

“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.” Pele

Impact

At St. Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, we ensure that our PE curriculum is progressive and allows children to develop fundamental skills and apply them to a variety of sports and activities. All children are provided with the opportunities to develop skills and to achieve their personal best. We encourage our pupils to be physically active and this has positive implications on their learning in the classroom. Children understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle and understand the importance of exercise. We hope children enjoy PE and develop a love of sport, and physical activity, that they pursue outside of school.

Here at St. Thomas’ Catholic Primary School we show respect, work together, aspire and nurture

§ Moving and handling - skills enabling children to show good control and coordination in large and small movements. Children are able to handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.

§ Health and self-care - children knowing the importance of good health which includes physical exercise and a healthy diet. Children are able to manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully, including dressing and going to the toilet independently.

In Key Stage 1 Pupils are taught: · master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities · participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending · perform dances using simple movement patterns.

In Key Stage 2 Pupils are taught: · use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination · play competitive games, modified where appropriate [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders and tennis], and apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending · develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance [for example, through athletics and gymnastics] · perform dances using a range of movement patterns · take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team · compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best. · to be safe in water. and in future life outside of primary school. All pupils understand the values and importance of fair play and being a good sportsperson. Year 6 pupils leave school with the skills to self-rescue in the water and with the aim to swim 25 metres competently.

“The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you and you don’t have to listen.” Jessica Ennis-Hill

St. Thomas' Catholic Primary School achieves GOLD again...

We are delighted to announce that we, St. Thomas' Catholic Primary School, have achieved the School Games GOLD Mark Award for the 2022/23 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

With a number of young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, as well as participating in intra-school events, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible.

As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition and workforce, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

A special thanks to all the team at Herne Bay Sports Partnership for their help and support throughout the year and to all the staff at St. Thomas' who strive to engage our children in a variety of ways that give an opportunity for all children to become physically literate.

We look forward to applying once again in 2024!