PE

The purpose of physical education (PE) at Laurel Park School is for all students to acquire and refine the physical skills and positive attitudes needed to adopt a lifelong approach to physical activity and sport. Through their PE lessons, students will develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities. They will be physically active for sustained periods of time, engaging in competitive sports and activities whilst also learning the importance of leading healthy, active lives.

Our curriculum at Laurel Park goes far beyond what is taught in lessons, for whilst we want students to achieve the very best examination results possible, we believe our curriculum goes beyond what is examinable. Students will develop problem-solving, leadership, resilience and communication skills along with the social skills and etiquette developed through playing in a team.  We challenge students to think, act and speak like those working in the field would. This is done by building leadership qualities in the students, for example by leading peers in warm-ups and drills and learning to speak confidently in front of others. This is facilitated in a way that is inclusive and fun.

Through our PE curriculum, students are taught the full spectrum of competitive sports and activities. Students are taught strategies to outwit opponents or choreograph a dance sequence or trampolining routine. They learn invasion games through football, netball, handball and basketball, net and wall games through tennis, volleyball and badminton. Striking and fielding games are learned through cricket and rounders. Aesthetic activities are learned through trampolining and dance. The teaching of athletics is divided into running, jumping and throwing components. Subject specific vocabulary is used regularly and expected to be used accurately.

In KS3, students build on and embed the physical development and skills learned in key stage 1 and 2, to become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques. They learn to consistently apply them across different sports and activities. Students learn to understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others’ work. This is then complimented by an extra-curricular offer which provides an opportunity for students to further embed their skills, in a fun environment. The after-school clubs at Laurel Park link the pathway from the curriculum into club provision and competitive opportunities.

In KS4, students then participate in a range of activities that develops personal fitness and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle. This is taught through the existing sports offered at KS3, but with a focus on teaching games for understanding and learning through competitive situations.

Students that opt to study the subject further at KS4 will leave Laurel Park with a suitable qualification to lead them forwards into a career within the sports industry. This is achieved through the Level 1 & 2 Cambridge National in Sports Studies.

Facilities

●       Large sports hall with 5 badminton courts, full size netball court, basketball court and volleyball courts

●       Gymnasium with basketball court

●       11-a-side state of the art 3G football pitch with 3 smaller pitches

●       5 competition sized trampolines

●       Indoor and outdoor table tennis tables

●       Fitness suite

●       Indoor space dedicated for yoga, dance and boxing activities

●       3 outdoor basketball courts

●       Large grass field with cricket square and athletics track

●       Long jump pit

●       Large tarmac playground

Curriculum

The PE curriculum booklet can be downloaded here: