P.E. at St. Mark’s
Intent
At St. Mark’s Primary School, we recognise the importance of physical education (PE) in fostering holistic development, in line with national curriculum standards. Our PE programme is designed to provide all pupils with the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to lead healthy, active lives. Through two hours of dedicated PE each week, we aim to develop students’ physical fitness, teamwork, resilience, and personal growth, ensuring that PE contributes meaningfully to their overall development. We are committed to offering a broad and balanced PE curriculum that promotes physical and mental well-being while instilling a love for physical activity.
Implementation
Our PE curriculum is delivered through a combination of specialist coaching and teacher-led sessions, ensuring a high-quality and varied approach to physical education: Specialist Provision: Our specialist sports coach, Coach Sachs, delivers high-quality PE lessons every Monday and Tuesday. These sessions are tailored to meet the needs of each year group, providing expert coaching in a range of sports and physical activities. Lessons are held on our state-of-the-art 3D pitch and in our fully equipped school hall, ensuring that students experience both indoor and outdoor activities that promote physical development and skill progression. Teacher-led PE: Alongside the specialist provision, class teachers deliver a second weekly PE lesson. This collaborative approach ensures consistency in the progression of physical skills, with class teachers reinforcing and extending the learning from specialist-led sessions. Teachers also have access to continuous professional development to enhance their delivery of PE, ensuring that students benefit from expert guidance throughout their PE journey. Enrichment Opportunities: To complement our core PE provision, St. Mark’s offers pupils the opportunity to participate in a wide range of competitive sporting events, including cross-country, athletics championships, and football tournaments for both boys and girls in Years 4 to 6. These experiences not only enhance physical fitness but also foster teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Partnerships: Our partnerships with external organisations such as the UK NBA Association and Arsenal Football Club further enrich our pupils’ sporting experiences. These collaborations provide unique opportunities, from meeting professional basketball players to visiting iconic football stadiums, deepening our students’ engagement with sport beyond the school environment.
Impact
Through our well-structured and inclusive PE curriculum, St. Mark’s pupils demonstrate significant progress in their physical development. They develop core skills in agility, balance, and coordination, alongside a deeper understanding of the importance of health and fitness. Regular participation in PE fosters resilience, perseverance, and teamwork, which are evident both in physical activities and in classroom learning. Our competitive sports programme provides further opportunities for children to challenge themselves and apply their skills in real-world contexts, building confidence and a strong sense of achievement.
By the end of their time at St. Mark’s, pupils leave with a lasting appreciation for physical activity and the lifelong benefits it brings, equipped with the physical and social skills necessary to lead active, healthy lives.