Running, jumping, twisting, climbing and learning to throw and catch are not only great fun – they help to keep young children’s bodies healthy and strong, preparing the way for competitive sports. 

Early Years 

We call our PE lessons big gym, little gym and music and movement:

• Big gym use larger gym equipment and involves a circuit of activities. Swinging on ropes, climbing to the top of the climbing frame and learning to jump are all great ways of boosting confidence and improving co-ordination.
• Little gym uses smaller apparatus but is just as challenging.

Our youngest pupils always have energy to burn, so we also have daily outdoor activities, ranging from ball games and hoops, to bike and scooter riding.

Years 1 and 2 

Pupils build on the fundamental movement skills acquired in the Early Years and continue to develop their confidence using apparatus in big gym lessons. They use a variety of sporting equipment as they begin to participate in small sided modified games.

Our approach is about learning to co-operate and work together, as well as developing a healthy sense of competition. It establishes a healthy way of life and lays the foundations of our sports teams of the future.

From Years 3 to 6, our pupils enjoy a wide range of sports and opportunities to compete. 

Autumn

Autumn means rugby and hockey as our main sports in games lessons for pupils in prep whilst a variety of other activities including football, indoor athletics, health and fitness and badminton are taught through the PE curriculum. 

Competitive matches really begin in Year 4 with Year 3 gaining some exposure to competitive sport through house matches and events organised in house and by the local sports partnership.

A variety of sports clubs offer our pupils the opportunity to pursue their love for sport outside of curriculum time.

Spring and Summer

Spring and Summer terms bring football, netball, cricket and athletics to our pupils where they have the opportunity to refine skills and compete against local schools and compete in National IAPS competitions.

Summer also sees tennis, the Foundation schools are members of the British Schools Tennis Association.

Swimming is a key life skill, taught at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden in Years 2 to 5.

Developing confidence in the water is our primary aim, with a clear focus on stroke development, improving stamina and learning basic survival techniques. 

Introduction to swimming - Year 2 

Children are assessed by the swimming teachers and grouped by ability. Children who require more support will use swimming aids to help develop confidence. Teachers then work with the children on swimming skills, including correct stroke techniques, survival skills and distance swimming to enable steady progress through a range of skills. Children are taught correctly formed strokes (for example, correct breathing, leg kick and arm movements).

Please note that the Leisure Centre rules dictate that all children (girls and boys) must wear swimming hats. Boys are to wear close-fitting trunks.

If your child is not well enough to swim please telephone or send a letter with your child. They will then be supervised at the pool. Please ensure they bring a reading book with them.