PE
Intent Statement – Primary Physical Education (PE)
At FreshSteps Independent School, our intent for Physical Education is to provide all pupils with an active, inclusive, and engaging curriculum that promotes physical health, emotional wellbeing, confidence, and enjoyment through sport and physical activity. We aim to create positive experiences where every child feels encouraged, supported, and successful regardless of their ability or previous experiences with sport.
Through a wide range of activities and sporting opportunities, we strive to develop pupils’ physical skills alongside important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, patience, communication, and self-control. We want pupils to learn how to work collaboratively, take turns, encourage one another, and build positive friendships through shared experiences in sport.
Our PE curriculum is designed to help pupils develop confidence in themselves and others while learning the importance of respect, fairness, and perseverance. We support pupils in understanding that winning and losing are both part of sport, helping them to manage emotions positively, respond calmly to challenges, and develop resilience without becoming overwhelmed. We encourage children to celebrate each other’s successes, cheer one another on, and develop a sense of belonging within a supportive team environment.
Ultimately, our intention is to inspire pupils to enjoy physical activity, adopt healthy lifestyles, and develop the confidence and social skills needed to succeed both within school and in the wider community.
Implementation Statement
At FreshSteps, PE is delivered through a varied, practical, and highly engaging curriculum that encourages all pupils to actively participate and enjoy physical activity. Lessons are carefully planned to develop physical skills, coordination, fitness, teamwork, and emotional resilience within a safe and supportive environment.
Pupils participate in a wide range of sporting activities and enrichment opportunities including swimming, boxing, horse-riding, football development and coaching on a 3G Astro Turf, multi-sports, and gym-based activities. These experiences allow pupils to develop gross motor skills, balance, coordination, communication, and confidence while promoting enjoyment and participation.
Our PE curriculum places a strong emphasis on teamwork and positive social interaction. Pupils are taught how to work cooperatively, share equipment, take turns, listen to instructions, and support one another during games and activities. Staff model and reinforce positive behaviours such as patience, encouragement, resilience, and good sportsmanship throughout all lessons and sporting events.
FreshSteps also provides pupils with opportunities to participate in competitive sport through our school football team, where pupils represent the school in matches against other schools. These experiences help pupils build confidence, develop friendships, and learn how to manage both success and disappointment positively. Pupils are supported to understand that losing is part of learning and growth, helping them to develop emotional regulation and resilience in challenging situations.
In addition, pupils have access to before and after-school sports clubs and are encouraged to develop their interests and abilities further through enrichment activities and AQA Unit Awards, recognising their progress and achievements in physical activity and sport.
Impact Statement
The impact of PE at FreshSteps is that pupils develop not only physically, but also socially and emotionally. Pupils become more confident, resilient, and willing to participate in new experiences, showing increased self-esteem and pride in their achievements.
Through regular participation in physical activity and team sports, pupils develop important life skills including teamwork, patience, communication, cooperation, and respect for others. They learn how to take turns fairly, support their peers, build friendships, and celebrate each other’s successes in a positive and encouraging environment.
Pupils also develop emotional resilience by learning how to manage winning and losing appropriately, cope with challenges calmly, and persevere when tasks become difficult. They become better able to regulate emotions, respond positively to setbacks, and demonstrate improved behaviour and self-control during both competitive and cooperative activities.
Participation in PE and enrichment opportunities helps pupils improve their physical fitness, coordination, motor skills, and overall wellbeing, while also increasing engagement in school life. Through activities such as football, swimming, horse-riding, and boxing, pupils gain memorable experiences that build confidence, independence, and a sense of achievement.
Ultimately, pupils leave FreshSteps with a positive attitude towards physical activity, stronger social skills, improved emotional wellbeing, and the confidence to participate successfully within school, sport, and the wider community.
