Purpose of study

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.

Aims

The Cathedral School PE curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• To teach pupils to be more skillful in the ways they control their movements and develop co-ordination.
• To develop habits leading to a healthy and active lifestyle and promote physical fitness and well-being.
• To help pupils understand how the body responds to activity.
• To develop pupils’ confidence in applying and adapting a range of skills in a variety of settings.
• To foster an appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic aspects of physical activity.
• To contribute to pupils’ social and emotional development, by developing their self-confidence and self-esteem.
• To develop personal qualities such as commitment, fairness, tolerance, and a concern for others.
• To develop personal and social competence and the necessary skills to manage success in competitive and co-operative situations; to cope with winning and losing, and to retain a sense of perspective in competition.

Organisation

• The PE curriculum is organised on a subject basis and is one of the most firmly timetabled elements of the curriculum because of the need to use hall or outdoor space. PE is taught throughout the school year with differing aspects covered each term.
• The intention is that all children spend 2 hours per week on high quality PE, covering games, gymnastics, dance, Outdoor Adventure Activities and athletics. Classes are timetabled in the hall for a one-hour session. Activities such as guided playground sessions, Active Maths and Take 10 should be used to supplement the 2 hours a week, wherever appropriate. 
• Each class has 10 x ½ hour swimming lessons during the year from specialist instructors and access to specific coaching in other areas from outside agencies such as the Chelmsford School Sports Partnership where appropriate.