P.E.

"P.E. is not to prepare elite athletes, but it a subject that allows for all children to make progress with content that challenges and allows success. It is a key mechanism for developing self-efficacy and building a legacy of physically active children." - Create Development

At Oatlands Infant School, we believe that physical education is more that just the lessons that children receive within their directed learning time. As our ethos is ‘Nurtured + Inspired = Happy', physical education in its widest sense is a crucial tool in helping us achieve this with all our pupils. 

For the school community, our approach is underpinned by the following belief about physical literacy: 

"Physical literacy is our relationship with movement and physical activity throughout life." [Sport England]

We are proud to be part of the Creating Active Schools Hub

Our Curriculum Intent 

At Oatlands Infant School we are committed to ensuring all children are equipped with the skills they will need to keep them healthy throughout their lives, both physically and mentally, and have a positive relationship with movement. 

During directed P.E. lesson time, we teach using Real P.E. which supports our children to develop motor competence through practising and refining fundamental movement skills. In lessons, children access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, both individually and with others. They engage in competitive (both against self and others) and cooperative physical activities in a range of increasingly challenging situations. Within lessons, children are encouraged to cultivate other positive learning behaviours such as coaching and supporting others, working as a team and persevering. 

At Oatlands Infant School, we see physical activity as more than just directed P.E. lessons. We strive to offer all children plentiful opportunities to engage in physical play, especially at break and lunchtimes. Our provision reflects this, with den-building and constructions, scooters and games all on offer. Staff work collaboratively to lead and supervise play and activities that contribute to children's movement time each day. 

What PE looks like at Oatlands Infant School

Through physical activity opportunities and PE lessons, children will experience a whole range of activities and develop key skills as they progress from the beginning of Reception to the end of Year 1. 

Children in the Early Years will be taught to: 

• negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others; 
• demonstrate strength, balance and co-ordination when playing; 
• move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing. 

Children in Key Stage 1 will be taught to: 

• Master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities; 
• participate in team games, talking about and developing an understanding of simple tactics; 
• perform dances using simple movement patterns. 

The use of Real PE as our scheme of work supports high-quality teaching and learning, adaptable to the needs of all children. It promotes the three pillars of progression motor competence, healthy participation and rules; and tactics and strategies.