PE

Context

Our Physical Education curriculum helps pupils develop the confidence, knowledge and practical skills to enjoy being active. Through team games, fitness activities and performance, pupils experience healthy competition, creativity and personal challenge. We teach the physical, mental and social benefits of exercise, encouraging pupils to find activities they enjoy and build lasting healthy habits. Pupils will have extensive opportunities to take part in competitive sports outside of curriculum hours, via the Enrichment Programme and school competitions.

At Key Stage 3, pupils develop their skills across a broad range of activities, including volleyball and trampolining in each year. Year 9 introduces further theory, coaching and officiating to support informed options choices. At Key Stage 4, pupils can choose BTEC Sport or GCSE Dance to develop their interests further.

An Inclusive Curriculum

We want every pupil to experience enjoyment and success in PE, whatever their starting point. Teachers use their knowledge of pupils, assessment information and collaboration with SEND and pastoral colleagues to plan accessible lessons. Adapted equipment, clear demonstrations and structured discussion support participation, while high expectations and familiar Fairfield Way routines build confidence.

Powerful Knowledge

Pupils learn how to exercise safely, apply rules and use skills and tactics effectively across different sports. They explore fitness, choreography, sportsmanship and the responsibilities of leadership and officiating. Learning includes safe equipment use, giving constructive advice and applying knowledge in increasingly challenging games and performances, supported by opportunities for competition beyond lessons.

Assessment 

Assessment helps us understand both what pupils know and what they can do. At Key Stage 3, practical assessments and theoretical assessment contribute to the overall grade. Teachers assess skills in drills, games and performances, alongside checks of vocabulary and understanding. BTEC Sport combines assignment work with an external examination.

Feedback

Pupils receive timely verbal feedback during practical lessons, recognising strengths and identifying specific improvements. They practise applying this advice and use assessment logbooks to reflect on their knowledge, personal development and physical performance. Structured peer feedback develops their ability to support others. Feedback on BTEC assessment work follows the relevant assessment rules.

Expert Teaching

Teachers explain skills clearly and demonstrate effective technique through live modelling and video examples. Pupils practise in manageable stages before applying skills in more demanding games or performances. Questioning and paired discussion check understanding, while regular feedback addresses misconceptions. Revisiting skills and knowledge over time helps pupils become increasingly confident and independent.

Literacy

Pupils learn and use the specialist language of sport through reading, discussion, coaching and written work. Rules, routines and officiating guidance provide meaningful opportunities to read and communicate clearly. In BTEC Sport, pupils interpret articles, case studies and performance information, with modelled reading and writing strategies supporting accurate explanations and extended responses.

Supporting Pupils with SEND

We adapt teaching to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities participate successfully and develop independence. Practical support includes lighter or larger balls and adjusted game rules. In theory lessons, accessible seating, printed resources, sentence starters and model responses reduce barriers. 

Home Learning

Home learning strengthens pupils’ understanding through reading, revision and practice. At Key Stage 3, tasks on Microsoft Teams explore sporting rules and vocabulary, alongside practical challenges requiring minimal equipment. BTEC Sport pupils also use retrieval quizzes, exam questions, planning activities and independent research to consolidate learning and apply their knowledge to sporting contexts.

Careers

PE introduces pupils to careers including coaching, teaching, physiotherapy, sports journalism, officiating and performance analysis. Sporting examples help pupils understand these roles and the skills they require. Careers learning is embedded in Years 7 and 8, with more explicit exploration in Year 9 through lessons, home learning and the Unifrog platform.

DANCE

Dance can be separated into three disciplines – performance, choreography and understanding and appreciation. The three disciplines are taught and developed together with the aim to build personal skills that pupils can draw upon to succeed, not only in Dance but beyond the curriculum and in future employment. Pupils will learn how to accurately replicate a set motif, will explore the choreographic devices and be taught how to effectively apply these to choreograph their own performance.

Our primary aims are to nurture our pupils’ talents whilst developing skills for life such as communication, creativity, leadership, confidence and commitment. In addition to this, at KS4 we also explore the purpose of dance we create and the work of professional choreographers. Pupils not only replicate professional dance works but use them as inspiration when creating their own original performances. 

In the Dance curriculum, pupils learn about performances from other cultures, explore feelings, explore the surrounding world, use their imaginations, be creative, reflect on their own and others work, explore moral and ethical issues, work collectively using social skills. We use dance to teach pupils about the world. We give pupils cultural experiences such as seeing live theatre and exploring different styles of dance that they may not otherwise have access to. 

Long Term Plans 2026-27