PE

At St. Giles’ Catholic Primary School, we want every child to love learning in PE. We promote active lifestyles throughout our everyday lives, through play and teamwork and want children to discover the link between a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Making improvements in PE is built upon three pillars of progression: motor competences; rules, strategies and tactics; and healthy participation. Pupils build declarative and procedural knowledge about physical activity. Declarative knowledge is the ‘know-what’ and procedural knowledge is the ‘know-when’. There are many overlaps between types of knowledge and pillars of progression. 

Motor Competences 

These are a person’s ability to make a range of physical actions which include co-ordinating fine and gross motor skills. These are to being able to in everyday activities as well as in play and physical activity. For some children, PE will be the first time these competences are taught. Pupils require sufficient and well-designed opportunities to practise these competences as well as feedback to know how to improve. There is a positive link between confidence and competence. 

Fundamental Movement Skills – In the early years, pupils need to develop a good level of fundamental movement skills which are the basic motor patterns which are not learned naturally. They include locomotor skills (such as running and jumping), stability skills (such as twisting and balancing), and manipulation skills (such as throwing and catching) which are best developed between the ages of 3 and 8. The curriculum should include progression from these simple movements to more complex movements as children get older. 

Rules, Strategies and Tactics 

Pupils also need to be taught how to move as well as competently. The rules, strategies and tactics which are involved with different types of activity require explicit teaching. Tactics are the decisions people make about how, when and where to move and are closely related to motor competences as they are only successful if pupils can perform the necessary movement. Some physical activities do not have rules or tactics but they do have strategies for success. These are less time-dependent than tactics and can have broader relevance beyond playing games. 

Healthy Participation 

Pupils need to learn how to participate in physical activity in a healthy way. This can involve having their understanding from outside of school challenged and corrected. For example, public health messages can sometimes be unclear and unhelpful unless pupils understand them in the correct context. Children need to understand how their knowledge of health applies to physical activity so they can participate fully and safely. 

Competitions

We pride ourselves on teamwork at St. Giles' Catholic Primary School -  be it in football with St. Giles' FC, our world-class gymnasts, championship winning swimming team or even during our intra-school team days! Check out the photos below to see our co-operation in action!