The Physical Education Department at West Craven is committed to ensuring that pupils develop a lifelong love of physical activity through the implementation of a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum. Through innovative teaching, pupils can develop physical competence in a wide variety of team, individual and aesthetic sports. They are also given the skills to develop knowledge, to create and apply tactics and strategies in a variety of situations thus becoming confident and resilient young people who enjoy participating in sport.

We are committed to providing a progressive curriculum that is inclusive for all pupils, and regularly gives our young people the opportunity to learn a variety of different skill sets. Our curriculum is designed to support pupil understanding across all areas of sport by developing specific skills through a variety of physical activities. This allows the pupils to enhance the skills that are replicated across all sports allowing them to see the connections between skills and application. All aspects of our curriculum delivery have a both a skill and fitness thread running through them with an emphasis on developing understanding and being aware of the lifelong health benefits of sport.

As physical educators we give all pupils the chance to cultivate leadership skills during both lessons and extracurricular opportunities. Our extensive extracurricular program gives pupils the opportunity to demonstrate our core ASPIRE values. This is supported by our strong links with local clubs and further education establishments.

What does progress through Key Stage 3 look like for a student in PE?

Our schemes of work are tailored to meet the needs of all the students regardless of their individual levels of physical and intellectual ability. Most sports are revisited each year where the students are provided with more physical and intellectual challenges. The common important physical characteristics that are interwoven in many of the sports we deliver are enhanced throughout the Key Stage. Differentiated approaches which include variations of drills, conditioned games, levels of technical support ensure that students can progress at a rate that is indicative of their ability. Students throughout the Key Stage develop a deeper understanding of the importance of fitness and how this links to their own performances. Students develop an increased awareness of the rules and regulations of the physical activities they are taught. Teachers use their subject knowledge to create learning environments that provide an ever-increasing level of challenge for all throughout the Key Stage.

The curriculum we offer at West Craven allows all students to build on and develop the physical attributes and performance skills that they have learned in early key stages 1 and 2. It gives them the opportunity to become more competent, confident, and expert in their techniques, and apply them across different sports and physical activities. On completion of Year 9 pupils should understand what makes a performance effective. Most sports are revisited each year as pupils are provided with more physical and intellectual challenges. Pupils are also given opportunities to develop an interest in exercise, various sports and activities out of school and in later life, understanding and applying the long-term health benefits of physical activity.

Pupils will experience a curriculum that is centred on skilled themes that improve performance across a variety of sports. The curriculum incorporates Invasion games, Net games, Educational games, Movement, Striking games and Athletics. All these areas of study will be underpinned by a general understanding of the role that physical education plays within our health and mental wellbeing. The aim being to promote a love of sport and physical activity leading to lifelong participation.

What do students learn in Year 7?

Students are introduced to a variety of different kinds of sports and physical activity throughout the year. We provide opportunities for students to experience sports from the following areas; Invasion games (Football, Basketball, Netball) Net Games (Badminton, Table Tennis), Striking Game (Softball, Rounders, Cricket), Movement (Gymnastics, Dance)) and Athletics(Cross country). Students are taught in 8 week blocks so that they have the time to develop their competency within the specific area of study. We teach 11 different activities throughout the year providing our students with a breadth of experiences. The depth and breadth of the curriculum is supported by an underlining specific curriculum thread (special awareness, replication, technique etc..) whilst supported by a Health and Fitness approach to each lesson. Our curriculum is designed to create a learning environment full of enjoyment so as to enhance our students’ well-being.

What do students learn in Year 8?

Students are introduced to a variety of different kinds of sports and physical activity throughout the year. We provide opportunities for students to experience sports from the following areas; Invasion games (Football, Basketball, Tag Rugby, Netball) Net Games (Badminton, Table Tennis), Striking Game (Softball, Rounders, Cricket), Movement (Gymnastics, Dance)) and Athletics. Students are taught in 8 week blocks so that they have the time to develop their competency within the specific area of study. We teach 12 different activities throughout the year providing our students with a breadth of experiences. The depth and breadth of the curriculum is supported by an underlining specific curriculum thread (sequencing, attacking play, defensive technique etc..) whilst supported by a Health and Fitness approach to each lesson. Our curriculum is designed to create a learning environment full of enjoyment so as to enhance our students’ well-being.

What do students learn in Year 9?

Students are introduced to a variety of different kinds of sports and physical activity throughout the year. We provide opportunities for students to experience sports from the following areas; Invasion games (Football, Hockey, Basketball, Netball) Net Games (Volleyball, Table Tennis), Striking Game (Softball, Rounders, Cricket), Movement (Gymnastics, Dance)) and Athletics. Students are taught in 8 week blocks so that they have the time to develop their competency within the specific area of study. We teach 12 different activities throughout the year providing our students with a breadth of experiences. The depth and breadth of the curriculum is supported by an underlining specific curriculum thread (accuracy, timing, technique etc..) whilst supported by a Health and Fitness approach to each lesson. Our curriculum is designed to create a learning environment full of enjoyment so as to enhance our students’ well-being.

What do students learn in Year 10?

continue to develop physically and emotionally in a number of specific areas; Net games, Invasion Games, Athletics, Striking Games, supported by an opportunity to look at Leadership skills. Students are taught in 8 lesson blocks in a number of the sports and physical activity that they have experienced at Key Stage 3. Students can choose to study NCFE Health and Fitness Level 1/2 where they experience 5 hours per fortnight of Physical Education.

What do students learn in Year 11?

Students continue to develop physically and emotionally in a number of specific areas; Net games, Invasion Games, Athletics, Striking Games, supported by an opportunity to look at Leadership skills. Students are taught in 8 lesson blocks in a number of the sports and physical activity that they have experienced at Key Stage 3. Students who have chosen to study NCFE Health and Fitness Level 1/2 will continue to develop an understanding of fitness and they will move towards completing an external exam and an internal synopsis project.

For further information about our PE curriculum, please contact Mr D Wilson, Head of PE, by emailing dwilson@westcraven.co.uk or phoning the main office to arrange a call back