Physical Education (Key Stage 3)
Curriculum Intent
At Harbour Vale School, Physical Education (PE) provides every pupil with a carefully sequenced range of opportunities to develop physical competence, confidence, resilience and a positive attitude towards lifelong physical activity. We recognise that high-quality PE contributes to pupils’ physical health, emotional wellbeing, social development and ability to work positively with others.
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to build progressively on pupils’ prior knowledge, skills and experiences. Pupils develop fundamental movement skills alongside increasingly refined sport-specific techniques, tactical understanding and knowledge of how to participate safely and effectively in physical activity.
Through a broad range of individual, paired and team activities, pupils learn to:
- Develop physical competence and coordination;
- Apply skills and tactics in different contexts;
- Communicate, cooperate and work effectively with others;
- Respond positively to challenge and manage setbacks;
- Develop resilience, self-regulation and confidence;
- Understand the importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing;
- Participate safely and responsibly;
- Recognise and celebrate their own progress and the achievements of others.
The curriculum is inclusive by design. Staff identify and respond to individual barriers to participation and learning, making appropriate adaptations to activities, equipment, teaching approaches and expectations. This enables pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face other barriers to learning or wellbeing, to participate meaningfully, experience success and make progress from their individual starting points.
Curriculum Implementation
PE is delivered through a structured programme of practical learning that provides pupils with regular opportunities to practise, apply and refine knowledge and skills. The curriculum includes football, table tennis, fitness training, team games and outdoor learning, alongside opportunities to develop wider knowledge of health, fitness, teamwork, safety and personal responsibility.
Learning is sequenced so that pupils revisit and build on previously taught knowledge and skills. Teachers use clear explanations, modelling, demonstration, guided practice and feedback to help pupils understand what successful performance looks like and how they can improve.
Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to:
- Practise and consolidate fundamental and sport-specific skills;
- Apply skills and tactics in increasingly challenging situations;
- Work independently, in pairs and collaboratively within teams;
- Develop communication, leadership and decision-making skills;
- Reflect on their performance and identify appropriate next steps;
- Develop their understanding of fitness, health and wellbeing;
- Experience challenge while maintaining a strong focus on safety and inclusion.
Teachers adapt activities and teaching approaches in response to pupils’ individual needs. This may include modifying equipment, space, rules, groupings, instructions or levels of challenge. These adaptations enable pupils to participate appropriately while maintaining high expectations for learning and personal development.
Positive relationships, encouragement and constructive feedback are central to teaching. Staff explicitly reinforce respect, cooperation, perseverance and responsible behaviour, helping pupils to develop the confidence and self-regulation required to participate successfully.
Curriculum Impact
The impact of the PE curriculum is demonstrated through pupils’ developing physical competence, knowledge, confidence, participation and ability to apply what they have learned.
Teachers use ongoing assessment and observation to identify pupils’ starting points, monitor progress and inform subsequent teaching. Assessment considers pupils’ developing knowledge, practical skills, application of tactics, participation, teamwork, independence and ability to respond to feedback. Staff use this information to adapt teaching and provide appropriate challenge and support.
Pupils are increasingly able to explain what they are learning, apply previously developed skills in new contexts and recognise how they can improve their performance. They develop greater confidence in participating in physical activity and demonstrate increasing independence, resilience, cooperation and respect for others.
The curriculum also contributes to pupils’ wider personal development. Through PE, pupils develop positive attitudes towards challenge, learn to manage success and disappointment appropriately, and experience the benefits of working collaboratively towards shared goals.
By the end of Key Stage 3, pupils have developed a secure foundation of physical, social and personal skills that enables them to participate safely and confidently in a range of physical activities. They understand the importance of regular physical activity for their health and wellbeing and are prepared for the opportunities and expectations of the Key Stage 4 curriculum.
Learning Journey
Explore → Develop → Apply → Participate → Achieve
Explore
Pupils experience a broad range of sports, games, fitness and outdoor activities. They develop familiarity with different equipment, environments and ways of participating.
Develop
Pupils build fundamental movement skills, physical competence and confidence. They learn and practise increasingly specific techniques and develop their understanding of rules, safety and fair play.
Apply
Pupils apply their knowledge and skills in different situations. They develop tactical awareness, decision-making, communication and problem-solving.
Participate
Pupils increasingly demonstrate independence, resilience and cooperation. They take greater responsibility for their own participation and contribute positively to team activities.
Achieve
Pupils recognise their progress and develop the confidence to take on appropriate challenge. They understand the relationship between physical activity, health and wellbeing and are prepared for continued participation beyond Key Stage 3.
Inclusion and Personal Development
PE is an important part of Harbour Vale School’s commitment to an inclusive curriculum and the wider development of every pupil. Participation is not dependent on prior sporting experience or ability. Staff make appropriate adaptations so that pupils can access learning, participate meaningfully and experience success.
Particular attention is given to pupils who may face barriers to participation, including pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Staff work with relevant colleagues and use their knowledge of individual pupils to identify appropriate support and adaptations.
PE provides authentic opportunities for pupils to develop confidence, resilience, self-regulation, teamwork, leadership, communication and respect. These qualities support pupils’ wider personal development and contribute to positive relationships and a healthy, active lifestyle.
Evidence of Impact
The school evaluates the effectiveness of the PE curriculum through a range of evidence, including:
- Pupils’ participation and engagement;
- Observations of practical performance and skill development;
- Pupils’ ability to apply knowledge and skills in different contexts;
- Assessment information and progress from individual starting points;
- Pupils’ confidence, independence and resilience;
- Participation of pupils who may face barriers to learning or wellbeing;
- Pupil voice and reflection;
- Participation in wider sporting and physical activity opportunities;
- Readiness for the next stage of the curriculum.
This evidence is used to refine curriculum planning, teaching approaches and provision so that PE continues to meet the needs of Harbour Vale School’s pupils and enables them to make meaningful progress.
Curriculum Rationale
Physical Education is a core component of Harbour Vale School’s curriculum. It provides pupils with meaningful opportunities to learn, practise, apply and achieve while developing knowledge, physical competence and positive attitudes towards lifelong physical activity.
Our ambition is that every pupil leaves Key Stage 3 with greater confidence in their physical abilities, a secure understanding of how physical activity contributes to health and wellbeing, and the skills and attitudes required to participate safely, positively and independently in physical activity throughout their education and beyond.
Physical Education (Key Stage 4)
Curriculum Intent
At Harbour Vale School, our Physical Education (PE) curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of our pupils through an inclusive, therapeutic and high-quality approach. We recognise that physical activity contributes not only to physical health but also to pupils’ emotional wellbeing, personal development, self-regulation and positive mental health.
Our curriculum provides all pupils with meaningful opportunities to develop physical competence, confidence and enjoyment through a broad range of sporting, fitness and outdoor learning experiences. Pupils develop practical knowledge and skills alongside the personal qualities required to participate successfully with others, including teamwork, communication, resilience, leadership and respect.
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to reflect pupils’ different starting points and prior experiences. Pupils initially develop confidence, engagement and the fundamental skills needed to participate safely before progressing towards greater independence, increasingly refined physical skills and more challenging activities.
We have high expectations for all pupils while recognising that appropriate support and adaptation may be necessary for some learners to access the curriculum successfully. Activities, equipment, environments, instructions and levels of challenge are adapted where appropriate to remove barriers to participation. This enables pupils, including those with SEND and social, emotional and mental health needs, to participate meaningfully, experience success and make progress from their individual starting points.
Our ambition is that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes needed to participate safely and confidently in physical activity during their time at Harbour Vale and beyond. Through PE, pupils develop an understanding of the relationship between physical activity, health and wellbeing and are supported to develop sustainable, healthy and active lifestyles.
Curriculum Implementation
Physical Education is delivered across Key Stages 3 and 4 through a broad programme of practical and experiential learning. Pupils experience a range of sporting, fitness and outdoor activities that progressively develop physical competence, knowledge, confidence and independence.
Provision includes:
- Fitness Suite and HIIT: pupils develop knowledge and practical understanding of fitness, including technique, stamina, strength, conditioning and safe participation. Activities are structured to enable pupils to recognise and work towards individual progression.
- Outdoor learning: park visits, outdoor activities and team-building experiences provide opportunities to develop cooperation, resilience, problem-solving, reflection and personal responsibility in different environments.
- On-site PE: pupils participate in football, table tennis, cricket, resistance training and a range of recreational and team activities, developing sport-specific skills alongside communication, cooperation and tactical understanding.
- School football team: pupils may have opportunities to represent Harbour Vale through friendly fixtures and inclusive competitive events. These experiences develop teamwork, commitment, sportsmanship, resilience and pride in achievement.
- Vocational learning: pupils with a particular interest in sport and fitness may access Occupational Studies qualifications focused on planning and participating in fitness and sporting activities, providing opportunities to develop vocational knowledge and explore potential progression pathways.
Learning is carefully scaffolded so that pupils can build on prior knowledge and skills. Practitioners use explicit teaching, modelling, demonstration, coaching, guided practice, feedback and reflection to help pupils understand what they are learning and how they can improve.
Staff use their knowledge of individual pupils to make appropriate adaptations while maintaining clear expectations for participation and learning. This may include adapting equipment, rules, space, groupings, instructions, task demands or levels of challenge. Staff monitor pupils’ responses and adjust teaching where necessary.
Pupils are provided with increasing opportunities to take responsibility for their learning. They plan aspects of activities, evaluate their own performance, set appropriate targets and participate in peer coaching. These experiences support the development of independence, self-awareness, communication and transferable life skills.
Opportunities to develop literacy, numeracy, oracy, careers knowledge and personal development are incorporated where they add genuine value to the learning. Pupils use appropriate subject vocabulary, interpret information relating to fitness and performance, communicate with others and apply mathematical understanding where relevant.
Curriculum Progression
The PE curriculum follows a clear developmental pathway:
Engage → Participate → Develop → Apply → Lead → Thrive
Engage
Pupils develop confidence and positive attitudes towards physical activity. They become familiar with different activities, equipment and environments and develop the confidence to participate.
Participate
Pupils develop fundamental movement skills, physical competence and safe participation. They learn to follow instructions, work with others and respond positively to challenge.
Develop
Pupils refine their physical skills, fitness and understanding of different sporting and physical activities. They increasingly recognise their own strengths and areas for development.
Apply
Pupils apply knowledge and skills in different contexts, including team sports, individual challenges, fitness activities and outdoor learning. They develop decision-making, tactical awareness and problem-solving.
Lead
Pupils take increasing responsibility for themselves and others. They develop leadership, communication, organisation and coaching skills and contribute positively to group and team activities.
Thrive
Pupils recognise the benefits of physical activity for their physical and emotional wellbeing. They develop the confidence, knowledge and motivation to make positive choices about activity and health beyond school.
Inclusion and Personal Development
Inclusion is integral to the delivery of PE at Harbour Vale. We recognise that pupils may arrive with significantly different levels of physical competence, confidence, experience and readiness to participate.
Staff identify barriers to participation and make appropriate adaptations so that pupils can access the curriculum and experience meaningful success. Adaptations are informed by pupils’ individual needs and may include changes to equipment, activities, instructions, environments, groupings and levels of challenge.
The curriculum provides authentic opportunities for pupils to develop personal qualities that have relevance beyond PE. Through participation, pupils learn to:
- Persevere when activities are challenging;
- Manage success and disappointment appropriately;
- Communicate and cooperate with others;
- Recognise and respond to the needs of teammates;
- Take responsibility for their own participation;
- Reflect on their performance and identify next steps;
- Develop confidence and self-awareness;
- Demonstrate respect, fairness and sportsmanship.
For pupils who have previously experienced difficulty engaging with physical activity, carefully structured opportunities for success can provide an important foundation for developing confidence, trust and positive attitudes towards participation.
Assessment and Curriculum Impact
Assessment in PE is ongoing and is used to understand pupils’ starting points, identify progress and inform subsequent teaching. Staff gather evidence through observation, questioning, discussion, practical performance, reflection and review of pupils’ developing skills and knowledge.
Assessment considers pupils’ progress in areas including:
- Physical and sport-specific skills;
- Knowledge and understanding of activities;
- Application of skills and tactics;
- Fitness and safe participation;
- Communication and teamwork;
- Independence and leadership;
- Resilience and response to challenge;
- Confidence and engagement;
- Ability to reflect on and evaluate performance.
Staff use assessment information to identify where pupils require further practice, additional support or increased challenge. Progress is considered in relation to pupils’ individual starting points and the knowledge and skills identified within the curriculum.
The impact of the curriculum is reflected in pupils’ developing ability to participate safely, confidently and independently. Pupils increasingly apply the knowledge and skills they have learned, respond positively to feedback and demonstrate greater independence when working individually and with others.
PE also contributes to pupils’ wider development. Through practical experiences, pupils develop resilience, self-regulation, communication, cooperation and confidence. They increasingly understand how physical activity can contribute to physical health, emotional wellbeing and a positive lifestyle.
The school evaluates the effectiveness of the curriculum using a range of evidence, including pupil participation, practical performance, assessment information, pupil voice, engagement in wider sporting opportunities and pupils’ readiness for the next stage of learning.
Key Stage 4 and Preparation for the Future
During Key Stage 4, pupils continue to develop their physical competence, knowledge and confidence while being supported to make increasingly independent choices about physical activity and wellbeing.
Where appropriate, pupils can access Occupational Studies qualifications focused on planning and participating in fitness and sporting activities. These provide opportunities to apply practical knowledge in a vocational context and develop skills that may support future education, training or employment pathways.
Pupils are encouraged to recognise the relevance of physical activity beyond school. They develop knowledge and confidence that can support continued participation in sport, exercise, recreation and healthy lifestyle choices within their communities.
Our intended outcome is that pupils leave Harbour Vale with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate safely and positively in physical activity and with an understanding of how an active lifestyle can contribute to their long-term health and wellbeing.
Evidence of Impact
Leaders evaluate PE through a range of evidence rather than relying on participation alone. This includes:
- Pupils’ developing knowledge and physical skills;
- Progress from individual starting points;
- Pupils’ ability to apply learning in new or increasingly challenging contexts;
- Participation and engagement across the curriculum;
- Evidence of increasing independence;
- Pupils’ ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate leadership;
- Participation of pupils who may experience barriers to learning or participation;
- Pupil voice and reflection;
- Participation in competitive, recreational and enrichment opportunities;
- Achievement of relevant qualifications;
- Progression to the next stage of learning and appropriate future opportunities.
This evidence informs ongoing curriculum development and enables leaders and practitioners to identify what is working well, where pupils may require additional support and where the curriculum needs to be refined.
Additional Curriculum Information
Physical Education is an important component of Harbour Vale School’s curriculum and contributes to our wider commitment to health, wellbeing, inclusion and personal development.
The school continually seeks appropriate opportunities to extend pupils’ experiences through community partnerships, enrichment activities, outdoor learning and sporting events. These opportunities are selected to complement the taught curriculum and provide pupils with meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.
Through a combination of high-quality teaching, appropriate adaptation, progressive learning and wider opportunities, our PE curriculum aims to ensure that every pupil can participate, make progress and experience achievement.
Additional Statutory Information
Physical Education is delivered to all pupils as part of Harbour Vale School’s commitment to promoting physical health, emotional wellbeing and personal development. We continually seek opportunities to broaden our provision through community partnerships, enrichment activities and sporting experiences that inspire pupils to engage positively with physical activity. Our curriculum supports pupils in developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to lead healthy, active and fulfilling lives.