Teaching PE in Early Years to ensure a Strong Foundation
Physical education is a vital component of building lifelong healthy habits in early childhood. This is mainly due to the link between higher physical activity levels and children’s social, psychological, and cognitive development, and their overall academic achievement. Physical activity in Early Years is vital to children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives.
Children in EYFS take part in an hour of Physical Education each week and in addition to that children have an hour of dedicated outside play at Woodlands School. This involves the physical climbing of trees and other gross motor skills. The children developed physical stamina and their gross motor skills through free and easy movement round the Woodland School site. Pupils also develop their fine motor skills by making objects and structures.
Teaching PE in KS1 and KS2
Children take part in up to two hours of Physical Education each week. The teaching follows a skills-based approach, working to ensure all pupils develop fundamental movement skills such as agility, balance and coordination. These skills are then applied to a variety of activities, games and competitive sports. KS2 children in the Lower Juniors also have swimming lessons at Southam Leisure Centre for a term each year.
The school has strong links with the Further Education College which is located in the village and welcomes the children from KS2 to participate in planned physical activity sessions by the Sport Science students. The school also has close links with the Real Tennis Club in the village and many of our pupils take part in extracurricular sessions each week led by a professional sports coach.
All children have the opportunity to go on a residential trip when they are in Year 6. Furthermore, all children have the opportunity to take part in a range of tournaments and sports festivals with other schools. A competitive sports day is held annually and is enjoyed by the whole school community.
Cross Country events are held in the Autumn Term, helping our pupils children develop resilience, confidence, discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship, qualities that support both learning and life beyond the classroom.
Even though cross country is an individual race, scores often contribute to an overall team total, building strong friendships and respect for others skills and talents.
