Through the teaching of Physical Education at Healey, we aim to develop the children’s processes of collaboration, coordination, spatial awareness, physical skill, fitness and general wellbeing. The ultimate goal of this is to enable the children to make informed choices about physical activity throughout their lives and to promote physical positive attitudes towards hygiene, fitness and health. 

We provide children with exposure to a variety of different sporting disciplines, including swimming, dance, gymnastics, athletics as well as racket and invasion games. We provide the children with opportunities to take part in competitive sport and games in annual and termly events, inside and out of school, and for them to compete with a sense of fair play and sportsmanship. We believe that PE should give all of our children, regardless of ability, an enjoyable experience, which they will continue on into their adult lives.

The aims of our PE Curriculum are to develop:

• Physical literacy and learning fundamental multi-skills 
• Understanding of the importance of being active in promoting long-term health and well-being.
• Fundamental movements within every lesson
• Physical activity throughout each PE Lesson and beyond set PE times
• Own and others' performance.
• Physical skills with increasing control and co-ordination.
• Young leaders and help organise and motivate excellent sporting attitudes in other children.
• In Key Stage 2, swimming at least 25 metres before the end of Year 6 and know how to remain safe in and around water.

Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School fully adheres to the aims of the National Curriculum for Physical Education to ensure all children develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities; ensure children are physically active for sustained periods of time; engage in competitive sports and activities and lead healthy, active lives. PE is timetabled once a week, but also integrated, where possible, into other curriculum areas. 

We celebrate children’s interests and achievements outside of school, by giving them the opportunity to take part in many free after school clubs, for example Outdoor Learning;  Multi-sports; Dodgeball; Football; Rugby; Boxing & Dance. These are all run by members of staff or outside agencies. Therefore, our children have a foundation for lifelong physical activity, leaving Healey JIN School as physically active as they can. 

Taking part in regional competitions, we pride ourselves on team spirit, especially when cheering on the teams on Sports Day. We participate in intensive swimming programmes at Batley Leisure Centre, with children in Year 5 taking part in swimming lessons throughout the year.

PE is a vital part of the curriculum and promotes a healthy lifestyle for all of our children encouraging them to be alert and active. Our children thoroughly enjoy all of the stimulating PE sessions that are delivered to them

Physical Education is taught as a basis for lifelong learning, where the children have access to a wide range of activities in the belief that if it is taught well and the children are allowed to succeed, then they will continue to have a physically active life throughout their secondary education, and beyond. A high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all children to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. We provide opportunities for children to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to complete in sport builds character and helps to embed values such as fairness and respect.

PE in the Early Years

In EYFS, Physical Development is identified as a prime area in the Early Years Statutory Framework (2021). Within this area, it incorporates the strands ‘Gross Motor Skills’ and ‘Fine Motor Skills’, and progress is demonstrated through both indoor and outdoor learning.

In Nursery, children continue to develop their movement, balancing, riding (scooters, trikes and bikes) and ball skills. They practise using large muscle movements, and begin to use their developing physical skills to support them when taking part in activities, choosing resources and collaborating with others. They begin to develop an understanding of sequences and patterns, and develop independence in order to support themselves when getting dressed/undressed.

When children enter Reception, they continue to revise and refine the fundamental movement skills they have already acquired. These include rolling, crawling, jumping, climbing, hopping and running. The aim is for children to progress towards a more fluent style of moving, incorporating more control, grace and a development in overall body strength, balance, coordination and agility.

Children can then engage successfully in Physical Education sessions, and other disciplines such as dance and gymnastics when they enter KS1. They should be able to confidently and safely use a range of large and small apparatus and tools/equipment, demonstrate good posture and work alone and with others effectively. In order for children to achieve the Early Learning Goal, they must negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others, demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing, and move energetically and confidently in a range of ways.

Physical Development is an integral part of the curriculum, and links can be made to other areas of the curriculum such as Personal, Social Health (and Economic) development (PSHE Ed) and Expressive Arts and Design (EAD). In reference to PSHE, children are encouraged to select and use their own resources, and follow/remember rules, understanding why they are important. They should also know and be able to talk about the different factors that support overall health and wellbeing e.g. regular exercise, manage their own needs, work solo and with others effectively and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of a challenge. With regards to EAD, children should listen or watch and respond to what they have heard or seen, and be able to express their own thoughts and feelings towards it. They should build on previous learning, refine their ideas and develop their ability to represent them. As they make progress in their knowledge, understanding and skills, children should become more fluent in moving in time to music and be more confident in performing their own creations.

Our Lead Teacher for PE is Mrs Lang for the 2023/24 academic year.