Physical Education

Introduction to Physical Education at Harris Academy Morden

Within PE lessons at Harris Academy Morden, students are introduced to, develop and extend their skills and understanding in a variety of different sports with a view to gaining confidence and knowledge about different activities they will seek to pursue throughout key stage 3 and 4 and beyond their school curriculum. Lessons at both key stage 3 and 4 are practically based but will call upon students acting as independent enquirers when seeking methods to outwit opponents in team games such as Basketball, Football and Rugby, alongside self-motivation in more independent activities such as Athletics, Gymnastics and Fitness.

Throughout their PE lessons at Harris Academy Morden, students will equip themselves with the understanding and application to fulfil a variety of roles within sport including; performer, official, coach, manager and composer. The knowledge of qualities needed for each of these roles will widen their understanding of different physical activities and equip them with the fundamentals to compete and engage in physical activities within and beyond Harris Academy Morden. Alongside the sporting context of skill development and application to competitive gameplay, students will develop their physical literacy by understanding about how their bodies allow them to exercise, how to ready themselves for exercise physically and psychologically and the effects that exercise has on the body. Complimenting this will be awareness of the role of diet, nutrition and water in-take to maximise engagement in physical activity.

PE National Curriculum

Aims – The national curriculum for physical education aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
• Are physically active for sustained periods of time
• Engage in competitive sports and activities
• Lead healthy, active lives

Key Stage 3

Pupils should build on and embed the physical development and skills learned in key stages 1 and 2, become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques, and apply them across different sports and physical activities. They should understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others’ work. They should develop the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise, sports and activities out of school and in later life and understand and apply the long-term health benefits of physical activity.

Pupils will be taught to:

• Use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby and tennis]
• Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports [for example, athletics and gymnastics]
• Perform dances using advanced dance techniques in a range of dance styles and forms
• Take part in outdoor and adventurous activities which present intellectual and physical challenges and be encouraged to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group
• Analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best
• Take part in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports clubs 

Key stage 4

Pupils should tackle complex and demanding physical activities. They should get involved in a range of activities that develops personal fitness and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.

Pupils will be taught to:

• Use and develop a variety of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in team and individual games [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby and tennis]
• Develop their technique to improve their performance in other competitive sports [for example, athletics and gymnastics], or other physical activities [for example, dance]
• Take part in further outdoor and adventurous activities in a range of environments which present intellectual and physical challenges, and which encourage pupils to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group
• Evaluate their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement across a range of physical activities to achieve their personal best
• Continue to take part regularly in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports clubs.