At Archbishop Courtenay, the whole school focus on the same physical education domain each term. This is so that we are able to see clear progression of skills across the phases and so we can introduce termly competitions both in school.

In addition to our PE curriculum, we also do a daily mile, whereby the children and staff run, walk, hop, skip or jog in between lessons in the morning to ensure all children receive their daily exercise.

During Term 1, the children develop their throwing and catching skills. In EYFS, the children start by throwing under arm, aiming at a target and try to catch using two hands. By the end of key stage 1, children learn to throw over arm, how to bounce the ball to a partner, develop their accuracy and use their hand-eye coordination to control a ball. In key stage 2, the children work on their technique, learn a variety of ways to throw and catch and to do so under the pressure of a game situation.

In Term 2, the children focus on invasion games. In EYFS, the children look at different ways they can move a ball including using equipment. They learn to travel in different directions safely. In Year 1 and 2, the children learn to pass balls, dribble, change speed and direction and learn how to best use space in games. In key stage 2, the children learn how to move the ball using a variety of techniques, linking skills together more seamlessly. They focus on teamwork and choosing the best strategy with a completive game.

Throughout Term 3, the children focus on gymnastics. EYFS start by learning different standing balances. They develop this skill further in KS1 by adding kneeling balances (one 1-4 balance points), jumps and begin to use some apparatus. In KS2, the children continue to refine jumps, balancing and balancing on apparatus; they begin to do full body weight balances with a partner.

During Term 4, the children focus on attacking and defending skills. EYFS pupils learn to follow simple rules whilst playing a range of chasing games. Year 1 and 2 children begin to understand the terms attaching and defending, and use this to play a game successfully. In key stage 2, the children learn to think a head and create a plan of attack or defence. They apply knowledge to be able to work as a team to communicate effectively to develop field strategies.

In Term 5, the children develop their hand eye co-ordination. In EYFS, the children start by learning how to hit a ball with a bat, they develop this in KS1 by using these skills in a game and increasing their control. In lower key stage two, the children develop their technique and accuracy. In upper key stage two, the children use a range of different techniques to hit a ball and explore the best to use. They learn how hit over longer distances and how to serve in games.

During Term 6, the children focus on Athletics. EYFS pupils learn to run for a variety of purposes and jump in a range of ways. In key stage 1, the children learn to vary their pace, purpose different types of jumps. They go onto learn to think about selecting the most appropriate stride and pace. In lower key stage two, children begin to combine a range of techniques to develop their accuracy. In upper key stage two, children become more competitive and are challenged with the difficultly of the techniques they use.