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At Colebrook Infant Academy, we aim to nuture a positive, lifelong relationship with physical activity so that children experience PE as enjoyable, purposeful and important for their health and well-being. As an infant school, we place a high priority in developing and allowing exploration of fundamental movement skills and physical literacy, enabling children to participate successfully in a wide range of sports and physical activities now and in later education. We aim to promote confidence, resilience, challenge and sportsmanship through inclusive, engaging and fun experiences that value every child as an individual and to support personal, social and emotional development through teamwork, problem solving, communication and turn-taking, reflecting the school’s nurturing values. It is our ambition to build healthy habits, fitness, strength, stamina, agility and flexibility, recognising physical development as a foundation for success across the curriculum and in daily life.
In EYFS, physical development is supported through continuous provision and focused movement sessions that strengthen gross motor skills, coordination and readiness for writing. Across the school, PE is typically taught twice weekly in regular timetabled sessions, ensuring consistent coverage and planned progression. Lessons are sequenced in year groups or mixed-age classes using a planned curriculum with clear skill development, knowledge and vocabulary for each stage. Units are organised so that children revisit and deepen learning across games, dance, gymnastics, fitness and outdoor challenge. Most lessons follow a consistent structure of warm-up, fitness and stamina development, skill practice, application, and cool-down to reinforce healthy routines. Enrichment activities such as Sports Week, specialist sessions, sports day and off-site opportunities extend the core curriculum and inspire participation.
Children are given access to a broad range of sporting experiences, including dance, yoga, team games, athletics, outdoor challenges and events beyond the classroom. We have an annual Sports Week where specialist coaching offers inspiration and broadens children’s experiences, in addition to teacher led sessions and learning about significant Sportspeople. The week culminates in Sports Day which helps our children to recognise and understand the value of participation, competition and personal best performance. Were possible and appropriate, we encourage children to take part in events with other schools within Blue Kite Trust and the county such as Orienteering and Dance. As a school we place a high value on language and communication skills and specific vocabulary is identified in each area.
All children are entitled to participate fully in PE through carefully adapted tasks, high expectations and secure routines that enable success for all. Activities are scaffolded through changes to space, equipment, pace, grouping and adult support so that children can access the same learning intent at an appropriate level. The curriculum recognises different starting points, physical needs and levels of confidence, ensuring that children are challenged without being overwhelmed. Risk is managed in a supportive environment so that children can develop self-awareness, independence and the ability to make safe choices. Additional support and targeted intervention are used where needed to strengthen participation, physical development and confidence.
Teachers use ongoing observation to assess movement quality, control, cooperation, confidence and application of skills during practical activity. Success criteria are used to check whether children can demonstrate the intended skill, vocabulary and understanding for each unit. Verbal feedback is given during lessons to improve technique, support reflection and reinforce positive behaviours and attitudes. Assessment information is used to track progress in physical skill development.
We have a wide range of equipment which is used to support progression, including balls, cones, hoops, apparatus, benches, mats, beanbags and small-sided game resources. Where appropriate, technology may be used to support modelling, review and reflection, including videos of movement or performance. Indoor and outdoor spaces are organised to maximise active participation, safe movement and clear routines.
Children can explain and use key PE vocabulary accurately, such as words linked to movement, games, dance, and gymnastics. Children understand the purpose of warm-ups, cool-downs and safe movement, and can talk about how PE supports health and fitness. Children show an understanding of how to improve their performance by listening, reflecting and applying feedback.
In EYFS, children demonstrate improved gross motor control, stability, confidence and coordination in play and movement activities. Across KS1, children show secure execution of basic movements, improved control in games and greater consistency in applying skills independently. Children demonstrate progression by transferring skills across different activities and responding to challenges with greater resilience.
Children talk enthusiastically about Sports Week and take the opportunity to practice new skills during unstructured play at playtime.