At Saint Joseph’s, the Borough, we want the pupils to lead healthy and active lives. Southwark has higher levels of obesity and excess weight than both London and England across Reception and Year 6. Approximately 1 in 4 children in Reception are overweight or obese. By Year 6 this increases to more than 1 in 3 children (Jan 2020). Levels of obesity among children in Southwark have been significantly above national levels since measuring began. We firmly believe that a high-quality Physical Education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities that can reverse these alarming findings. We aim to regularly offer a wide array of opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health, fitness and well-being. Competing in sport and other fitness-orientated activities builds character and helps to embed values such as fairness, collaboration and respect. We believe that physical education, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is vital in contributing to our pupils’ overall development, physically, socially and mentally. We routinely offer an inclusive, engaging PE curriculum that is intended to develop pupils’ self-confidence in tandem with the progressive skills required in games, athletics, gymnastics, dance and swimming. This is intended to develop; competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, ensure pupils are physically active for sustained periods of time and encourage them to engage in competitive sports and activities. We promote the sporting values such as determination, self-belief, passion, honesty, respect and teamwork, always focussing on developing great sportsmanship among all pupils.
During their time at Saint Joseph’s, the Borough, pupils recognise that PE is a core part of the curriculum, ensuring that our school has a strong PE culture. As well as classroom-based staff, we employ a dedicated PE teacher who works four days per week. Each pupil from Year 1 to Year 6 takes part in two PE sessions each week. Depending on the timetable, both of these sessions may be delivered by the PE teacher or a combination of PE and class teacher. EYFS enjoy one structured lesson per week. The lessons involve; basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching in athletics, development of balance, agility, co-ordination and strength in gymnastics and dance and participation in competitive games such as basketball, football, hockey and netball, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending. In Key Stage 2 the pupils engage in regular swimming and water safety sessions in which they are taught to swim confidently and proficiently to at least 25m. At each stage they are encouraged to evaluate performance and suggest improvements. Alongside curriculum PE lessons, the school participates in inter-school games competitions. These events develop essential sporting, personal and social skills such as the ability to meet the experience of winning and losing in a balanced manner. We also provide a range of sporting after-school clubs, such as gymnastics, dance, football and multi-sports, normally delivered by subject specialists.
The large majority of our pupils will be working at least at age-related expectations for their year group at the end of each school year in PE and a significant proportion will be working beyond these expectations. Through the precise teaching of progressively challenging skills across the different curriculum disciplines, the intended impact is that all pupils, irrespective of their ability, will enjoy success and be motivated further to develop and expand their individual sporting passions and potential, both within school and outside through other agencies, e.g. clubs and teams. They are taught that in order to be successful in whatever they choose, they need to take ownership and responsibility for their own health and fitness. They understand that healthy life choices can have a direct impact on physical well-being and frequently, mental health. Our pupils will be motivated to make the correct health and fitness choices that allow them to independently live happy and healthy lives as they grow older and influence their peers to do the same.
