Physical Education

Physical Education (PE) is integral to our curriculum.

We recognise that PE contributes not only to physical wellbeing, but also to cognitive, social and emotional development. Our PE curriculum is designed to develop the whole person through an intentional and inclusive approach that we describe as:

• Head – developing thinking skills such as body awareness, planning movements, tactical understanding, and strategic decision-making.

• Heart – fostering social skills such as communication, leadership, cooperation, teamwork, resilience and empathy.

• Hand – building physical competence including gross and fine motor skills, coordination, sequencing of movement and confidence in physical tasks.

This approach prepares learners to engage confidently in physical activity throughout life, develops skills to work with others, and helps to develop thinking and planning processes.

Our PE curriculum is rooted in the national curriculum and adapted to meet the needs of learners across all abilities and pathways. We use a bespoke, scaffolded model that removes barriers to participation, enjoyment, and success. Across all athways, lessons are differentiated to meet individual learning needs and to ensure every learner can experience success and progression.

Swimming

Our whole school swimming scheme is taught to all students not accessing hydrotherapy sessions. The scheme is accessed by students across all Pathways and ages, including young adults at LINC. 

The swimming scheme is a sequential progression based on skills taught in the Swim England "Learn to Swim" programme, adapted appropriately for our learners. The skills taught are the same across the Pathways, however, individual support can be adapted as needed (e.g. with or without a floatation device). Progress is tracked against each level and students recieve a certificate of achievement on completion of each level. We also use these certificates to track additional data, which can be used to award child specific achievements (e.g. getting in the pool for the first time) and distance awards (e.g. swimming a certain number of lengths over a half term). We also have an additional year 6 assessment which is a statutory level that we assess our year 6's against. 

Swimming Progress Plan

PE Annual Plan

Progression

We deliver high quality PE that is inclusive and responsive to learners’ needs:

• Blue Pathway: Physical literacy is integrated throughout the school day using sensory-rich and scaffolded activities. This includes music and movement, parachute games, specialised movement interventions (e.g. rebound therapy, hydrotherapy) and functional physical engagement designed to build body awareness, physical strength, communication, and engagement with physical experiences.

• Green Pathway: Pupils are supported through a semi-formal PE curriculum that develops gross motor and foundational movement skills (e.g. balance, running, jumping, climbing) through structured and themed physical activities linked to wider learning. Emphasis is placed on engagement, communication, cooperation and developing early tactical awareness in movement and games.

• Purple Pathway: PE provides opportunities for pupils to apply and refine physical skills within more structured activities and game contexts. Lessons focus on developing coordination, control and fitness, alongside teamwork and communication, supporting learners to understand rules, strategies and purposeful participation in physical activity.

• Yellow Pathway: PE lessons follow a sequential programme that develops sport-specific skills, progressive coordination and competitive engagement, teamwork and leadership, understanding of rules and tactical play. This feeds into understanding of healthy lifestyles and developing their skills to participate in sport outside of school. 

In all pathways, access to the Daily Mile and a range of extra-curricular physical activities is encouraged, such as sports trips, tournaments, sports clubs and experience days. These extend learning beyond the lesson and support confidence, independence and lifelong participation in physical activity. 

PE at Highfield is sequential and purposeful. We ensure learners consolidate basic movements before applying them in increasingly complex contexts. For example, fundamental ball handling and coordination are taught before introducing tactical elements in games. Learners also benefit from therapeutic and targeted interventions (e.g. movement breaks, sensory supports, gym sessions) that reinforce personalised progression goals. Pupils develop understanding of healthy lifestyles, fitness and wellbeing. We embed British values such as teamwork, respect, fair play and mutual support through games, team activities and collaborative challenges. 

Impact

Our PE curriculum has measurable impact on learners’ development. Through consistent engagement in Head, Heart, Hand-focused physical education, leaners:

• Demonstrate increased confidence in movement and physical tasks. 

• Develop enhanced communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. 

• Show improved physical strength, coordination and fitness. 

• Exhibit positive attitudes toward collaboration, competition and resilience. 

• Transition more effectively into community sport and active lifestyles beyond school.