PE Lead - Beth Phillips

bphillips@bps.westst.org.uk

Boringdon Primary School PE Statement

Physical Education at Boringdon is about far more than learning to play a sport. We want every child to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and positive experiences they need to be active throughout their lives. PE helps children think, feel, move and connect in a supportive yet ambitious environment, building both physical and mental wellbeing.

Our curriculum offers a broad, progressive and engaging experience from EYFS to Year 6. In EYFS, children follow Arena PE planning, giving them a strong foundation in fundamental movement. From Year 1 to Year 6, teachers use the Oak Academy PE curriculum, which provides clear progression, strong subject knowledge support and high-quality learning for all pupils.

Children develop a wide range of skills, including throwing, catching, striking, travelling and balancing, alongside teamwork, tactics, leadership and decision-making. Our approach supports not only what children can do, but also how they think, how they feel and how they connect with others.

Year 4 pupils receive specialist swimming teaching at Plympton Pool and are assessed against national expectations, including swimming 25 metres confidently, using a range of strokes, demonstrating water safety and performing self-rescue.

Children will experience two hours of high-quality PE teaching each week. Staff are supported by the Oak Academy scheme as well as high-quality sports coaching delivered 1-1 with PE specialists in partnership with Plymouth School Sport Partnership (PSSP). The curriculum is a spiral curriculum which enables children to build on their skills as they progress through the school.  

Think • Feel • Move • Connect

Our four-part approach helps us develop the whole child through physical education:

Think — Children learn tactics, decision-making and problem-solving, becoming strategic thinkers who can adapt during physical activity.

Feel — Children build enjoyment, confidence and wellbeing, learning to recognise how activity makes them feel and how it supports their physical and mental health.

Move — Children develop control, coordination and physical competence through fundamental movement and sport-specific skills.

Connect — Children learn teamwork, communication and sportsmanship, celebrating their own progress and the achievements of others.

This framework ensures that every child can participate, progress and succeed.

Inclusion: A Place for Everyone

At Boringdon, every child has a place in PE. We adapt and scaffold learning so that all pupils can access, participate and achieve. Clear learning outcomes and appropriate support help children progress from their individual starting points while maintaining high expectations. We celebrate strengths, progress and personal achievement helping children recognise and value their own development.

Our wide range of sporting opportunities ensures that all children can find meaningful ways to participate. Inclusion means providing the right support, challenge and opportunities for every child to thrive.

Competition at Boringdon

Healthy competition plays an important role in our PE curriculum. It builds resilience, determination, teamwork and sportsmanship. Through our partnership with the Plymouth School Sport Partnership (PSSP), children take part in inclusive festivals, non-competitive events and competitive fixtures.

Inter-house sport is part of everyday life at Boringdon. Children earn house points for demonstrating qualities such as determination, respect, teamwork, honesty, self-belief and passion. At the end of each PE unit, children compete or perform their learning and our Sports Day is designed so that every child can participate, contribute and feel valued.

Additionally, we provide opportunities for pupils to compete in inter-competitions through events organised through PSSP including targeted events for pupil premium pupils, disadvantaged and pupils with special educational needs. Mass participation events such as Plymouth Schools’ Challenge half marathon event, is entered alongside other highly competitive events.

Clubs, Enrichment & Active School Life

Our PE offer extends beyond curriculum lessons through a varied programme of before- and after-school clubs and further offerings. Children can try new activities, develop skills and discover interests they may continue beyond primary school. We work with external partners, including Plymouth Argyle, Karate in the Community and Plymouth Dance, to broaden opportunities further.

Physical activity is part of everyday life at Boringdon. We promote active travel, active playtimes and leadership opportunities through our Year 6 Sports Leaders, who organise activities, support events and act as positive role models. To promote active travel, we compete in The Big Walk and Wheel annually and Dr Bike supports families in maintaining pupils’ bikes to ensure that active travel is more accessible to all. 

We host a wellbeing week annually for pupils to celebrate movement, connection and wellbeing providing broad opportunities to inspire an active lifestyle.  Alongside our traditional sports day, children engage in different sports, exercises and workshops such as RNLI water safety. 

School Games

Boringdon Primary School is also part of the School Games network and as such are part of a national project that aims to get more young people participating and engaged in sports and competition. As part of our sports programme, the PSSP run School Games events at regular intervals in the academic year to enable our young people to engage in various level of competition.  At present, we hold a Gold Award and we’re working towards Platinum. 

https://www.yourschoolgames.com/

Active for mind, body and life.