Physical Education (PE) at St Joseph the Worker
Our PE curriculum is designed to inspire children to lead active, healthy lives and to develop a lifelong love of physical activity. Through a well‑structured and progressive programme, we equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. Our teaching follows the National Curriculum and is enhanced by the PE Hub scheme, ensuring high‑quality, engaging and inclusive PE lessons for all pupils.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, physical development is one of the prime areas of learning and children experience movement and activity throughout their daily provision. In addition to this, at St Joseph the Worker we also teach PE as a standalone subject, giving children dedicated time each week to develop key physical skills through structured lessons. These lessons are supported by the PE Hub scheme, ensuring high‑quality, progressive and engaging physical education from the very start of school life.
Gross Motor Development: Children practise running, jumping, climbing, balancing and moving with increasing control and confidence, both in continuous provision and during timetabled PE sessions.
Fine Motor Skills: Activities such as throwing, catching, mark‑making and small‑equipment play help children develop coordination and dexterity.
Spatial Awareness and Safety: Children learn to move safely, negotiate space and understand how to use equipment responsibly.
Healthy Bodies and Healthy Choices: Pupils begin to understand the importance of exercise, rest, hydration and healthy habits.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Through simple games and group activities, children learn to take turns, share, follow instructions and work with others.
Introduction to Structured PE: Standalone PE lessons introduce children to basic skills, simple rules and early sportsmanship in a fun, supportive environment.
Dignity of the Human Person: Children learn that everyone is valued and capable, regardless of physical ability.
Community and Participation: Pupils experience the joy of playing, moving and learning together as part of a supportive community.
These early experiences provide a strong foundation for key concepts such as movement, coordination, teamwork and healthy living—preparing children to access the full PE curriculum in Key Stage 1 and beyond.
In Key Stage 1, children develop fundamental movement skills and begin to apply them in a range of activities. Using the PE Hub scheme, pupils explore:
Locomotor Skills: Running, jumping, hopping and skipping with increasing control.
Object Control: Throwing, catching, kicking and striking.
Balance and Agility: Moving confidently in different ways and at different speeds.
Gymnastics and Dance: Exploring movement patterns, shapes and simple sequences.
Team Games: Learning simple tactics, rules and how to work cooperatively.
Health and Fitness: Understanding how exercise affects the body.
Solidarity: Children learn to support one another and celebrate each other’s achievements.
The Common Good: Pupils begin to understand fairness, sharing and playing by the rules.
Care for Creation: Outdoor activities help children appreciate and respect the natural environment.
In Key Stage 2, pupils develop a broader and deeper understanding of physical activity and sport. Through the PE Hub scheme, they explore:
Invasion Games: Developing tactics, teamwork and control in sports such as football, netball and tag rugby.
Striking and Fielding Games: Learning batting, bowling and fielding skills.
Net and Wall Games: Developing accuracy, coordination and strategic thinking.
Gymnastics: Creating more complex sequences using balance, flexibility and strength.
Dance: Exploring styles, patterns and expressive movement.
Athletics: Improving performance in running, jumping and throwing events.
Outdoor and Adventurous Activities: Problem‑solving, teamwork and navigation skills.
Swimming: (Years 3, 4 and 5)
Rights and Responsibilities: Pupils learn to respect rules, equipment and each other.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Children reflect on access to sport and how physical activity can support wellbeing for all.
Stewardship: Outdoor learning encourages pupils to care for the environment.
Global Solidarity: Through sport, pupils recognise the power of teamwork, unity and shared goals across cultures.
Knowledge‑Rich and Skills‑Based: Our curriculum ensures children not only develop physical skills but also learn to think and behave like athletes—showing resilience, discipline and sportsmanship.
Cross‑Curricular Links: PE is often linked with science (health and fitness), PSHE (teamwork and wellbeing), and maths (measuring performance) to enrich understanding.
Global Citizenship and Catholic Social Teaching: PE promotes respect, fairness and inclusion, helping pupils understand their role in building a supportive and compassionate community.
Engaging and Inclusive: Lessons are enriched with high‑quality resources from PE Hub, outdoor learning, competitive opportunities and activities tailored to support all learners.
Through PE at St Joseph the Worker, we nurture children who are active, confident and motivated to lead healthy lives. PE is not just about sport—it is about teamwork, resilience, wellbeing and celebrating the gifts God has given us. Through engaging lessons and Catholic Social Teaching, we equip our pupils with the skills and values they need to make a positive difference. Whether developing fundamental movement skills or taking part in competitive sport, our pupils grow as confident, respectful and enthusiastic participants in physical activity.