Physical Education (PE)
Get active. Have fun. Challenge yourself. Achieve together!
At Oxley Primary School, we believe Physical Education is about much more than learning to play sport. It is about building confidence, developing friendships, discovering new talents and inspiring a lifelong love of physical activity. We want every child to experience the enjoyment of movement, the excitement of competition and the satisfaction of achieving something they once thought was impossible.
Our PE curriculum follows Get Set 4 PE, providing a progressive programme from Early Years through to Year 6. Through engaging lessons, practical challenges and a broad range of activities, children develop the physical skills, knowledge and understanding needed to lead healthy, active lives.
With a combination of teacher-led lessons and specialist sports coaching, we ensure that PE is inclusive, enjoyable and appropriately challenging for all children, regardless of their starting point or sporting experience.
Our Approach to Physical Education
Our curriculum supports children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, helping them become increasingly skilled, independent and resilient learners.
Children develop fundamental movement skills, including balance, coordination, agility and control, before applying these in more complex sporting situations. Alongside their physical development, they learn to communicate effectively, work as part of a team, make tactical decisions and demonstrate good sportsmanship.
We place great importance on personal progress, encouraging children to recognise their achievements, embrace challenges and understand that success comes through effort, practice and determination.
Our PE Journey
Early Years – Learning Through Movement
Our youngest children begin their PE journey through games, gymnastics, dance and ball activities that develop coordination, balance and spatial awareness.
These playful experiences introduce basic movement patterns, encourage cooperation and establish the foundations for future physical development.
Years 1 and 2 – Building Essential Skills
In Key Stage 1, children strengthen their fundamental movement skills through gymnastics, dance, yoga, fitness and athletics.
Ball skills, sending and receiving, target games, invasion games and striking and fielding activities introduce simple rules and the foundations of team sports. Children begin to understand how to move effectively, cooperate with others and apply their skills in different situations.
Years 3 and 4 – Developing Technique and Teamwork
In Lower Key Stage 2, children apply their developing abilities to sports including rugby, handball, tennis and rounders.
They refine their technique through gymnastics, dance and athletics, while yoga supports flexibility, balance and control. Outdoor Adventurous Activities introduce collaborative problem-solving, navigation and challenges that require communication and teamwork.
As their understanding grows, children begin to make tactical decisions, adapt their approach and take greater responsibility for their performance.
Years 5 and 6 – Applying Skills and Taking on Challenges
In Upper Key Stage 2, pupils develop more advanced techniques and tactical awareness through football, basketball, cricket and rounders.
Gymnastics, dance, yoga, fitness and athletics continue to strengthen their physical abilities, while swimming develops water confidence, swimming competence and an understanding of water safety.
Outdoor Adventurous Activities provide further opportunities for leadership, decision-making and collaboration.
By the end of Year 6, children are equipped with a broad range of sporting skills and the independence to approach unfamiliar activities with enthusiasm.
Sporting Enrichment – Beyond the Classroom
At Oxley, our commitment to sport extends well beyond the PE curriculum. Through our partnership with the North Charnwood School Sport and Physical Activity Network, we provide a fantastic range of additional experiences that allow children to discover new interests, represent their school and enjoy being part of a wider sporting community.
Our enrichment programme includes festivals, development events and inter-school competitions in sports such as football, netball, hockey, basketball, cricket, tennis, table tennis, badminton and athletics.
Children in Years 3–6 can participate in cross-country events, with opportunities to progress to the Leicestershire Schools Cross Country Championships. Our older pupils can also compete in the Charnwood College Football League, while Town Sports brings local schools together for an exciting celebration of athletics.
Not every event is about winning. Inclusive festivals provide opportunities for children to experience different activities, develop their abilities and enjoy sport in a supportive environment. We are particularly keen to encourage those who may not usually choose to participate in competitive sport.
Whether children are competing for a trophy, achieving a personal best or representing Oxley for the first time, we recognise and celebrate their efforts.
An Active School Community
Physical activity is an important part of everyday life at Oxley. Our lunchtime sporting activities, extracurricular clubs and house competitions provide additional opportunities for children to stay active, socialise and enjoy different sports.
Our annual Sports Days are a particular highlight, bringing children together to represent Air, Earth, Fire and Water in an atmosphere of excitement, encouragement and friendly competition.
We want every child to feel that sport is for them, whether they enjoy competitive matches, individual challenges or simply being active with their friends.
Living Our Oxley Values Through Sport
PE provides a wonderful opportunity to put our school values into practice.
‘Be Kind’ means supporting teammates, respecting opponents and celebrating others' achievements.
‘Be Brilliant’ means striving to improve, taking pride in our efforts and making the most of every opportunity.
‘Have an I can attitude’ means approaching challenges with determination, learning from setbacks and believing in our ability to succeed.
By the time children leave Oxley, we want them to have the skills, enthusiasm and positive attitudes needed to remain active throughout their lives.
Above all, we want every child to discover the joy of sport, feel proud of their achievements and recognise that being active is something everyone can enjoy.