St Peter's Church of England Primary School

Physical Education

At St Peter’s, Physical Education is a vital part of our children’s learning journey. We inspire every child to be active, healthy, and confident—building habits that last a lifetime.

Our approach goes beyond PE lessons. We promote daily activity through active learning, playtimes, and a wide range of extra-curricular clubs. Through PE, children develop physical skills, thinking skills, social skills, and a strong sense of health and wellbeing.

From teamwork and resilience to fitness and fun, PE at St Peter’s helps every child thrive.

How do we do this?

Every child in Year R–6 enjoys 2 hours of PE each week, led by specialist coaches or class teachers. For 2025–2026, PE is organised into 10 knowledge pathways, ensuring a broad and varied curriculum across all year groups.

Our progressive approach allows pupils to practise, revisit, and refine skills year after year. We provide equal opportunities for all children to participate in a wide range of sports and activities within a supportive environment that values effort and achievement.

How We Deliver PE:

  • Physical Education: Structured lessons, clear learning outcomes, stage-appropriate activities, skilled staff, and purposeful feedback.
  • School Sport: Inclusive opportunities beyond lessons, competitions, links to major sporting events, targeted support, and pathways to continue sport outside school.
  • Physical Activity: Promoting 60 active minutes daily, active lessons, break-time activities, active environments, and support for active travel.

Wider curriculum experiences

At St Peter’s, Physical Education goes beyond the classroom. We provide exciting opportunities for children to develop skills, confidence, and a love of being active through a wide range of experiences.

From Forest School activities and Balanceability cycling sessions to swimming lessons, sports festivals, and inter-school competitions, our pupils enjoy diverse ways to stay active and learn teamwork. We also offer after-school sports clubs and specialist workshops to inspire every child to find an activity they love.

Our goal is to nurture lifelong participation in physical activity while promoting health, resilience, and enjoyment.

Swimming at St Peters

Pupils in Years 2–5 enjoy swimming lessons at Holmewood House, with 20 sessions across four years. These lessons help children meet National Curriculum standards: swimming 25 meters confidently, using a range of strokes, and performing safe self-rescue.

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Learning to cycle

At St Peter’s, Reception pupils take part in the Balanceability programme, designed for ages 2–6. It teaches balance, coordination, and confidence, helping children ride without stabilisers and prepare for independent cycling.

By Year 6, pupils progress to Bikeability training, a four-day course run by Kent County Council. This equips them 

with the skills to cycle safely on roads, building confidence for future cycling. Successful participants receive a badge and certificate.

Forest School

Our Forest School offers a unique, child-led outdoor learning experience inspired by the six principles of the Forest School Association. Sessions encourage exploration, problem-solving, and teamwork in a safe, nurturing environment.

Children develop confidence, resilience, and a love for nature while learning practical skills such as tool use, risk management, and cooperation. Each session aims to inspire curiosity and foster a deep connection with the natural world.

Competitive sport competitions

St Peter’s offers a wide range of sporting opportunities through regular in-school and inter-school competitions in football, netball, tag rugby, gymnastics, cricket, and athletics. Working with LAPTS, events follow School Games standards, linking to termly learning. Pupils are selected based on ability, performance, and enjoyment.

Before and After-school clubs

We offer a variety of seasonal sports clubs, including Football, Netball, Multi-Skills, Gymnastics, Dance, Judo, and Fitness. Some are led by our staff, others by external providers.
(See the Clubs section for details.)

How do we measure the impact of our PE curriculum?

Our aim is for every child to leave each key stage confident and skilled in PE. Pupils learn the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health, develop fitness, flexibility, strength, coordination, and master core movements like running, jumping, throwing, and catching.

Children gain confidence through school representation, pursue sports beyond school, and leave able to swim 25m and perform safe self-rescue. In Reception, PE focuses on physical development through outdoor play, Balanceability, and structured sessions.

From Year 1–6, PE is assessed using the Head (thinking), Hands (doing), Heart (attitude) approach, ensuring lifelong participation. Progress is tracked through teacher assessments, observations, and pupil feedback to continually improve our curriculum.

Inclusion

At St. Peter’s all pupils have the opportunity to take part and develop their Physical Education. The school promotes equal opportunities and fairness of distribution of PE resources. Teachers are made aware of children in their class who have a specific learning need and actions are put in place to ensure that barriers to learning are minimised. Whether that is 1:1 support, specialist equipment or adaptations to the learning environment, every effort it made to allow for all children to gain in their understanding and knowledge needed for Physical Education and development.

Useful websites: 

 Important Documents

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