Overview

Our PE curriculum is broad, balanced and carefully sequenced to develop physical literacy, confidence and a lifelong love of physical activity for all pupils. Learning is structured progressively so that children know more, remember more and do more as they move through school, developing accuracy, fluency and, ultimately, tactical understanding across a wide range of physical disciplines.

Through PE, pupils develop fundamental movement skills before applying them within dance, gymnastics, athletics, games, outdoor and adventurous activities and swimming. Skills are revisited and built upon across year groups, allowing children to master key movement patterns and apply them increasingly confidently within competitive and cooperative contexts.

Teaching places a strong emphasis on modelling, shared vocabulary, feedback and purposeful practice. Lessons follow a clear structure of acquire/refine, practice/apply and extend/deepen, ensuring pupils are active for the majority of each session. Learning is adapted using the STEP principles so that all children, including those with SEND or developmental delays, can participate fully and succeed.

Our curriculum promotes positive attitudes to learning and competition, developing resilience, teamwork, independence and confidence. Pupils are encouraged to officiate, self- and peer-assess, and apply learning beyond lessons through ‘playtime practice’.

We ensure equality of opportunity by providing rich sporting experiences for all pupils, including those who may not access extracurricular sport outside school. All children participate in intra-school competition and have opportunities to represent the school in inter-school events. Engagement is carefully tracked to ensure our most vulnerable pupils benefit most.

By the time pupils leave Totley Primary School, they are physically confident, active and healthy, with the skills, knowledge and motivation to lead positive, active lifestyles beyond primary school.

Reception

  • Fundamental movement skills (running, jumping, throwing, catching)
  • Balance, coordination and spatial awareness
  • Dance: movement to music, rhythm and simple patterns
  • Gymnastics: shapes, balances and basic travel
  • Team games: simple rules, sharing equipment, movement in space
  • Athletics: basic running, jumping and throwing activities

 

Year 1

  • Fundamental movement skills and agility
  • Team games: sending, receiving and simple attacking play
  • Dance: timing, shape and use of space
  • Gymnastics: balances, rolls and linking actions
  • Athletics: running for distance, basic jumping and underarm throwing
  • Striking and fielding: rolling, tracking and basic striking

Year 2

  • Team games: control, possession and simple tactics
  • Dance: rhythm, levels and simple routines
  • Gymnastics: balances on apparatus, rolls and sequences
  • Athletics: sprinting, jumping combinations and overarm throwing
  • Striking and fielding: batting techniques and fielding basics

Year 3

  • Team games: attacking and defending roles
  • Dance: expression, dynamics and group work
  • Gymnastics: inverted balances, rolls and controlled sequences
  • Athletics: pace selection, standing long jump and javelin-style throws
  • Outdoor and adventurous activities: map symbols, trails and teamwork

Year 4

  • Team games: decision-making, marking and tactical play
  • Dance: storytelling, canon and unison
  • Gymnastics: partner balances, cartwheels and flight
  • Athletics: relay races, hurdles and jumping techniques
  • Outdoor and adventurous activities: orienteering and problem solving
  • Striking and fielding: batting accuracy and field placement

Year 5

  • Team games: advanced tactics, pressure and strategy
  • Dance: extended routines and expressive performance
  • Gymnastics: complex sequences, partner weight-bearing and control
  • Athletics: triple jump, longer-distance running and throwing for distance
  • Outdoor and adventurous activities: route planning and leadership
  • Striking and fielding: shot selection, positional play and scoring systems

Year 6

  • Team games: strategy, officiating and competitive performance
  • Dance: choreographing, evaluating and refining routines
  • Gymnastics: advanced balances, flight and synchronised group work
  • Athletics: endurance running, hurdle relays and refined technique
  • Outdoor and adventurous activities: survival planning and efficient navigation
  • Striking and fielding: tactical decision-making and team roles