At Thames View, Physical Education helps pupils develop confidence, physical skill, teamwork and a positive attitude towards being active. Pupils learn how to move safely, develop control and coordination, take part in games, improve performance and understand the importance of health, fitness and wellbeing.
Our PE curriculum is shaped around the needs, context and experiences of pupils at Thames View. From Year 1 onwards, pupils follow a carefully sequenced PE curriculum that includes dance, gymnastics, games, swimming, outdoor adventurous activities and athletics. In EYFS, children build the physical foundations for PE through movement, play, outdoor learning and carefully planned provision.
How PE develops Global Citizens
PE helps pupils become healthy, active and confident Global Citizens. Through physical activity, pupils learn the importance of teamwork, fairness, respect, resilience and responsibility. They develop confidence when working with others, learn how to follow rules, celebrate effort and understand how regular physical activity supports a healthy lifestyle.
PE also helps pupils develop the character needed to take part positively in school, community and wider life. Pupils learn how to cooperate, lead, communicate, compete fairly and support others.
Our PE Narrative Threads
Our PE curriculum is organised around eight narrative threads. These help pupils revisit important physical skills and personal qualities over time, moving from early physical development in EYFS to more complex skills, tactics, teamwork and performance across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Thread 1: Dance
Pupils learn to move with control, rhythm, expression and creativity. They explore movement through songs, stories and themes before developing dances linked to units such as Weather and Pirates, Safari and Lost Toy, The Rainforest and Jack Frost, Bhangra, Ancient Maya and Rock and Roll.
Thread 2: Gymnastics
Pupils develop balance, strength, coordination, flexibility and control. They begin with safe movement, travelling, climbing and balancing before developing gymnastic skills and parkour across Key Stage 2.
Thread 3: Net and Wall
Pupils develop sending, receiving, striking, aiming and positioning skills. They learn how to control equipment, respond to opponents and take part in games such as tennis and volleyball.
Thread 4: Striking and Fielding Games
Pupils learn how to strike, field, throw, catch and make tactical decisions in games. They build towards sports such as cricket and rounders, developing coordination, teamwork and fair play.
Thread 5: Invasion Games
Pupils learn how to move into space, pass, defend, attack and work as part of a team. They develop these skills through games and sports such as football, hockey, basketball and tag rugby.
Thread 6: Swimming
Pupils develop water confidence, safety, technique and stamina. Swimming is taught across Key Stage 2, with catch-up opportunities in Year 6 where needed.
Thread 7: OAA and Team Building
Pupils learn to solve problems, communicate, cooperate and lead. They develop these skills through team-building tasks, outdoor adventurous activities and physical challenges.
Thread 8: Athletics
Pupils develop running, jumping, throwing, travelling and energetic movement. They learn to improve their personal performance, show resilience and understand how effort and technique can help them progress.
PE in Early Years
In EYFS, children are not taught the PE scheme as discrete units. Instead, they develop the foundations for PE through physical development, outdoor learning, games, dance, movement, equipment, teamwork and carefully planned provision. These experiences prepare children for the PE threads taught from Year 1 onwards.
In Nursery and Reception, children develop confidence in moving safely, using space, balancing, climbing, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking, aiming, dancing, taking turns, following instructions and working with others. By the end of Reception, children are increasingly confident when running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping, climbing and playing games.
How we teach PE
In PE, pupils revisit prior learning before being introduced to new physical skills, vocabulary and rules. They learn through clear modelling, guided practice, partner and group work, games, challenges and opportunities to apply skills in different situations.
Pupils are taught to think like physically active learners by practising skills, improving technique, working as part of a team, following rules, making tactical choices and reflecting on how to improve their performance. Teachers encourage pupils to show respect, responsibility and resilience in every PE lesson.
Vocabulary and subject talk
Vocabulary is taught explicitly in PE lessons. Pupils learn and revisit important vocabulary such as balance, coordination, control, movement, space, direction, speed, agility, teamwork, tactics, attack, defend, compete, improve, evaluate, fitness and resilience.
This helps pupils explain what they are doing, understand rules and tactics, talk about performance and identify how they can improve. Teachers model clear PE vocabulary and support pupils to use this language during practice, games and reflection.
Inclusion and Removing Barriers
Pupils may have different levels of confidence, physical development, coordination, fitness, swimming experience or access to sport beyond school. Some pupils may also find teamwork, competition, rules, changing routines or physical challenge more difficult.
We use clear modelling, small-step teaching, adapted equipment, visual support, partner work, repeated practice and inclusive games so that all pupils can participate and experience success. Teachers adapt activities where needed so that all pupils, including pupils with SEND, can access the same ambitious PE curriculum, develop confidence and enjoy being active.
Progression in PE
Our PE progression map shows how pupils build physical skills, vocabulary, confidence, teamwork and understanding of health, fitness and performance from Nursery to Year 6. This will be added to the page once finalised.
Useful Websites
BBC Bitesize PE
Youth Sport Trust
Change4Life / NHS Healthier Families
Get Set 4 Education
Premier League Primary Stars
GoNoodle
Cosmic Kids Yoga