Physical Education
Moving with purpose
Physical education at St George’s is a vital part of helping children grow in body, mind and character. It offers more than physical development; it provides a space for challenge, joy and connection. Rooted in our Christian vision that every child may live life to the full, the curriculum invites pupils to explore movement as a source of confidence, resilience and purpose. Through a broad and inclusive programme, children learn to move with intention, persevere through difficulty and celebrate both personal progress and collective achievement. Physical activity becomes a means of discovering who they are and how they can flourish, both individually and within a community.
More than a game: why PE matters
Physical education is not limited to sport. It nurtures the whole child by fostering physical literacy, building character and promoting values such as fairness, respect and perseverance. A high-quality curriculum develops fundamental movement skills, teamwork and decision-making, equipping children to transfer these competencies into a variety of physical contexts. As highlighted in the Ofsted Research Review, effective physical education goes beyond skill acquisition. It instils motivation, confidence and knowledge so that pupils choose to be active throughout their lives.
Building skills for life
The curriculum is structured to build competence progressively from the early years through to Year Six. In the foundation stage, pupils develop coordination, balance and agility through play and targeted activities. In Key Stage One, these foundations are extended into structured games, expressive movement and simple tactical thinking. In Key Stage Two, pupils refine and apply their skills across a range of sports, outdoor adventurous activities and dance, with increasing tactical awareness and opportunities for self-evaluation. Swimming instruction is integrated to ensure that every child can swim at least twenty-five metres, use a variety of strokes and perform safe self-rescue. Across all phases, lessons combine high expectations with inclusive adaptations, ensuring that every pupil is supported and challenged appropriately.
Active beyond the lesson
Physical education at St George’s extends well beyond curriculum time. Pupils participate in a rich programme of extra-curricular clubs, inter-school and intra-school competitions and enrichment activities such as taster sessions in less familiar sports. Our location in Ladywood provides unique opportunities to partner with local sports organisations and facilities, introducing children to different pathways for physical activity. Leadership roles such as Sports Leaders promote responsibility, service and teamwork, while initiatives such as daily activity challenges help build positive and sustainable habits.
Every child included
We believe that physical education belongs to everyone. Lessons are adapted so that pupils with additional needs can access and enjoy every activity, with targeted support to meet their individual requirements. At the same time, those working at greater depth are challenged to refine advanced skills, take on leadership responsibilities and pursue personal excellence. Teachers use ongoing assessment to shape learning, tracking progress in skills, knowledge and attitudes to ensure that all pupils achieve their potential.
Playing with heart
Physical education offers rich opportunities for pupils to reflect on values such as teamwork, respect and perseverance. Calling questions such as How can we show fairness when the stakes are high? or What does it mean to encourage others when we want to win? invite children to connect physical activity to their moral and spiritual growth. Pupils learn that true success is found not only in personal achievement but also in lifting others up, demonstrating compassion and using their physical gifts to serve the community. In this way, physical education becomes a context for living out Christian values through action.