PE, OAA (Outdoor Adventurous Activities) and Swimming

Pupil will take part in a rich, progressive and inclusive curriculum which promotes and encourages learners to lead physically active and healthy lifestyles.   They take part in one core PE lesson, one swimming lesson and one gymnastics lesson (on a termly basis for each class).  All activities are adapted to suit the needs and performance abilities of all our learners, with a central focus on developing fundamental movement skills - while enhancing self-esteem, confidence and social skills.  The school also has some fantastic partnerships with other sporting agencies, such as  Chance 2 Shine and The Lawn Tennis Association who support the PE department with running inclusive programmes within curriculum lessons.  An extensive extra-curricular programme is also on offer for all pupils to take part during lunch times, Football, Tag Rugby, Rounders, Matball – just to name a few.  Finally, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in intra school events, with a variety of healthy and suitable competitions organised within their PE and swimming lessons.  Pupils are then selected to represent the school at a multitude of inter school competitions, organised by the  North Suffolk Sports & Health Partnership (NSSHP) and Panathlon. 

Pupils will continue their developmental journey by taking part in a rich, progressive and inclusive curriculum which promotes and encourages them to lead physically active and healthy lifestyles.   Pupils take part in one core PE lesson, one swimming lesson and an afternoon of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA) on a termly basis. 

Curriculum lessons are carefully planned and adapted to suit all the developmental needs of our learners.  Core skills (balance, co-ordination, agility etc) are established further, while enhancing learner’s knowledge and understanding of game play and rules.  This is specifically designed and implemented to increase self-esteem, confidence and resilience, while encouraging team work, empathy, fair play and the willingness to support each other. 

During the OAA programme, learners follow the  RSPB Wild Challenge and John Muir Award, enabling them to apply curriculum knowledge and skills, develop their resilience and sense of agency through outdoor learning and ultimately connect with and learn about nature.  These awards are highly inclusive, accessible and non-competitive, though they challenge each participant.  They also encourage awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through structured yet adaptable schemes, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.  Furthermore, a variety of pupils will also take part in a  Bikeability Level 1 and/or 2 programme, with fully qualified County Council instructors.  These unique courses aim is to develop mastery in cycle handling in an off-road environment and prepare riders for cycling on the road.  As in Key Stage 2, there is an extensive extra-curricular programme in Key Stage 3 on offer for all learners to take part during lunch times.  Finally, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in more intra and inter school competitions at school or in the community. 

The PE curriculum in Key Stage 4 is a bespoke programme, allowing pupils the opportunity to select some of their sports they take part in on Friday afternoons (two hours).  In addition to the sports and activities learnt in Key Stage 2 and 3, there is a wider variety of activities on offer such as: Cycling; VX; Badminton; Street Dance; Ultimate Frisbee and much more. 

Level 1 and 2  Bikeability programmes continue to be on offer for those who did not have the chance to complete these in Key Stage 3.  Pupils who take up the opportunity to complete our superb Street Dance programme within lessons, will also have the chance to perform at the Marina Theatre at the NSSHP Dance Festival.  Strong links have also been formed with a wide variety community sports clubs, to provide clear pathways into the local community for our pupils to allow them to continue to live active and healthy lifestyles once they leave the school. 

As in Key Stage 2 and 3, there is an extensive extra-curricular programme in Key Stage 4 on offer during lunch times.  Furthermore, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in more intra and inter school competitions similar to that in Key Stage 3. 

Key Stage 4 learners also have an exceptional opportunity to enrol on the Leadership Skills Foundation programme.  This nationally recognised qualification is designed to support young people with developing their leadership skills, whilst encouraging others to lead active lifestyles.  Pupils undertaking this qualification develop and refine important life skills such as: communication, self-management, teamwork, self-belief and problem solving.  This is achieved through highly inclusive lessons and being responsible for supporting the school, NSSHP and Panathlon with organising and running sports events for TASAT and other local schools.