PE

INTENT

Why do we teach this? Why do we teach it in the way we do?

Physical Education at Fowey School

At Fowey School, we want our children to be happier, healthier, and stronger. Through Physical Education and Sport, we aim to inspire and encourage pupils to see exercise as essential to both their physical and mental wellbeing.

We fully adhere to the aims of the National Curriculum for Physical Education to ensure that all pupils:

develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
are physically active for sustained periods of time
engage in competitive sports and activities
lead healthy, active lives

Our PE curriculum is designed not only to develop physical skills but also to nurture the whole child. We place strong emphasis on the values of Collaboration, Aspiration, Respect, and Empathy (CARE), which underpin everything we do:

Collaboration: Working together in teams helps pupils build communication, cooperation, and leadership skills.
Aspiration: We encourage every child to challenge themselves, set goals, and strive for personal bests.
Respect: Pupils learn to value fair play, celebrate others’ successes, and show respect for rules, officials, and opponents.
Empathy: Through teamwork and shared experiences, pupils develop understanding, compassion, and support for others.

These values are central to pupils’ personal development, helping them to become resilient, confident, and responsible individuals both in and beyond PE.

Why do we teach PE this way?

We teach PE in a way that promotes enjoyment, inclusion, and lifelong participation. Lessons are active, engaging, and varied, allowing every pupil to experience success and progress at their own level. Through practical learning, children develop not just physical skills but also social, emotional, and cognitive abilities.

We also encourage children to take part in our wide range of extra-curricular clubs, where they can experience new sports, stay active, and represent the school in festivals and competitions. These opportunities foster a sense of pride, teamwork, and belonging—qualities that extend far beyond the sports field.

Ultimately, our intent is for every child at Fowey School to understand the value of physical activity, embrace our school values in all aspects of life, and leave with the confidence and motivation to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

IMPLEMENTATION

At Fowey School, we believe all children are entitled to a high-quality PE education. Each year group follows the Get Set 4 Education: PE scheme of work, which aligns with our core values, our whole-child approach, and the National Curriculum objectives.

PE is taught for two hours each week by class teachers, ensuring that every child receives consistent, high-quality teaching and that staff build strong relationships to support pupils’ physical and personal development.

The Get Set 4 PE scheme ensures clear progression and challenge throughout the school, helping children to build on prior learning as they develop confidence, skill, and understanding. Units include:

Athletics
Ball Skills
Gymnastics
Dance
Invasion Games
Net and Wall Games
Striking and Fielding

We are fortunate to have access to our local river and coast, allowing us to enrich our curriculum with outdoor adventure activities such as kayaking and sailing. These experiences are also incorporated into our residential trips, promoting teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving.

We recognise the importance of swimming in a county surrounded by water and are committed to ensuring all children meet or exceed the national minimum swimming requirements, developing confidence and enjoyment in the water.

PE lessons are designed so that pupils:

develop fundamental movement skills,
improve agility, balance, and coordination,
engage in competitive and co-operative physical activities,
enjoy communicating, collaborating, and competing with others, and
demonstrate respect, empathy, and fairness in all situations.

Teachers ensure inclusivity by adapting lessons using the STEP principle (Space, Task, Equipment, People) so all children can participate and achieve at their own level.

We are well resourced, with a comprehensive range of equipment to support high-quality learning both indoors and outdoors.

What do we teach and what does this look like?

Our PE curriculum is carefully mapped across each year group and key stage to ensure systematic progression in both skills and knowledge. Each unit builds on prior learning and prepares pupils for the next stage of their development.

In lessons, children take part in skill-based activities, small-sided games, creative movement, and team challenges that promote our CARE values. They are encouraged to reflect on their progress, celebrate others’ achievements, and apply what they learn to new situations.

Beyond PE lessons, we offer a wide range of extra-curricular clubs linked to sports taught in school. We encourage all children to participate in tournaments, and inter-school competitions, giving them the opportunity to develop teamwork, resilience, and pride in representing Fowey School.

IMPACT

What will this look like?

At Fowey School, we have a passion for PE. By the time children leave our school, they will have built a lifelong foundation for physical activity and developed an enthusiasm for leading healthy, active, and balanced lives.

Through a broad and engaging PE curriculum, pupils will:

understand the importance of physical activity for both their physical and mental wellbeing,
see exercise as fun, rewarding, and achievable,
feel confident and motivated to take on new opportunities and challenges in PE and sport at secondary school, and
demonstrate the values of Collaboration, Aspiration, Respect, and Empathy in all aspects of sport and teamwork.

Beyond the Classroom

Throughout their time at Fowey School, children will have the opportunity to attend a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and sports events. We monitor participation to ensure that all pupils can benefit from these opportunities and feel supported to engage in physical activity outside of lesson time.

Pupils will also be encouraged to represent their school in local festivals, matches, and competitions. They will do so with pride, determination, and resilience—demonstrating our CARE values both on and off the field.

By the time children leave our school, they will:

have a positive attitude towards physical activity and understand how it contributes to lifelong health and wellbeing;
have developed the skills, confidence, and motivation to take part in a range of sports and physical pursuits;
be able to work collaboratively, showing leadership, empathy, and respect for others;
be resilient and aspirational, striving to improve and enjoying challenge;
recognise and celebrate the success of others while valuing fairness and teamwork; and
have experienced the joy and pride of representing Fowey School at local, area, and county level.

As a result, our pupils leave Fowey School as active, confident, and caring individuals who understand that physical education is not just about sport—but about character, wellbeing, and lifelong personal growth.