PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CURRICULUM INTENT
Physical Education lessons at Wakefield Independent School consist of a broad, varied curriculum delivered in an environment where students are free to perform to the best of their ability.This begins at the foundation stage where students learn the fundamental movement skills needed for a healthy life and successful sports career. Our specialist PE teachers teach from FS to Y11.
As students move up through the school lessons focus on traditional school sports as well as new-age activities. At every level students are required to be responsible for their own learning and have the opportunity to perform practically, analyse and coach their peers using video feedback and officiate games in lessons.
The teaching philosophy of the PE department is to provide an environment where any student can access a vast range of activities / sports, and perform to the best of their ability practically, socially and academically.
Our extensive sports education programme promotes health and fitness; fosters a positive attitude to physical activity; develops physical skills, coordination and confidence; encourages team spirit and fair play.
Facilities for cricket, football, rugby, netball, hockey, cross-country, and athletics are impressive.
EYFS and KEY STAGE 1 PE
The purpose of study for EYFS and KS1 students is to develop basic fundamental skills, increase confidence and competence with a variety of activities, lead a healthy lifestyle and be physically active. EYFS and KS1 also begin to engage in competitive sport and have a basic understanding of rules in sports.
The key focuses include; basic movement (motor skills), running, jumping, throwing, catching, balance, agility, dance and coordination. The students have an introduction to team games and gain an understanding of basic attacking and defending rules.
KEY STAGE 2 PE
The purpose of study for KS2 students is to start using a broader range of skills and apply them to actions and movements in isolation and team games, increase confidence through communication and competing, and to understand how to improve their performance.
Pupils to be taught; basketball, tennis, hockey, netball, rounders, football, speed ball, handball, badminton, rugby, athletics, table tennis and fitness. These sports are taught on a termly cycle and are modified for student needs. The basic knowledge of tactics are introduced in this key stage.
KEY STAGE 3 PE
The purpose of KS3 PE is to provide opportunities for students to become physically confident, which supports health and fitness. The aim of KS3 PE lessons is to ensure students 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, and lead healthy, active lives.
At KS3, students are taught; tactics and strategies to overcome opponents, develop techniques to help improve individual and team performance, team building, trust activities, problem solving and how to analyse individual and team performance.
GCSE PE
The aims of the GCSE PE course is for students to use and develop a variety of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in team and individual games, develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports, or other physical activities, 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.
At Year 10 students can choose to take the GCSE Physical Education full course, studying the human body and healthy lifestyles in theory lessons whilst being assessed in three sports of their choice in practical lessons. Students can also choose to be assessed in activities they partake in out of school, for example skiing.
BOARD: AQA
COURSE: 8582
Paper 1: Anatomy and Physiology (30%)
Paper 2: Social and Cultural Influences (30%)
Practical Assessment (40%)
SPORTS PROGRAMME
The fully comprehensive sports programme has included: skiing in Austria, Switzerland and Italy; the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme; visits to England's Institute of Sport, professional football clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, coaching with professional sports' coaches in both football and rugby and much more.
The emphasis in sport is very much on participation. This is particularly true at Annual Sports Days; Tournaments and Cross-Country Events. Being situated in the beautiful grounds of the Nostell Priory Estate enables us to use the grounds for Running Club and our Annual Cross Country Competitions.
In past years, pupils from the School have enjoyed Outdoor Pursuits at Parson House in Derbyshire, Winmarleigh Hall in Lancashire, and Kingswood Adventure Centre in Penistone; workshops at Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket School of Excellence and the National Centre for Athletics at Lee Valley. They have played in Tournaments in the Netherlands, Spain and London; trained with Arsenal FC, Celtic FC, Fulham FC and Surrey Storm Premier Netball teams at their training grounds in London and trained with Everton FC. Pupils visited Wembley Stadium to watch England V Denmark. They toured Twickenham the home of Rugby Union where they met a number of England Internationals.
The children are given additional coaching by Featherstone Rovers and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
Outdoor Pursuits is held in high regard at Wakefield Independent School and we encourage all to take part. In the Junior department, children are offered a Wild Trackers after-school club where they explore the wilderness of their surroundings, as well as an annual residential to Kingswood Adventure Centre.
In Years 3 and 4 pupils learn to swim at our local Swimming Centre, learn Yoga and participate in Dance Sessions.
From Years 5-9 the children have taken part in ‘Adventure Days’ where they have been given the opportunity to experience climbing, abseiling, the zip wire, boulder and weaseling in Wharncliffe Woods, explore the cave Giant's Bottom in the Peak District or canoe down the River Ure.
These days have proved immensely popular and the children relish the opportunity. They discover talents and passions they never knew they had, build their team building and independence skills, as well as challenge their fears.
When the children reach Year 9 we offer the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.
CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY
All pupils have the opportunity to take part in the Children's University Award Scheme. This enables them to collect points for attending activities both in and out of school. Points are accrued in hours. 1000 hours gives you a Fellowship to the Children's University! On the way to achieving a Fellowship, pupils are awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold Certificates culminating in a Children's University Degree. This is awarded at Wakefield Opera House where pupils wear full cap and gown and are presented with their scroll. Activities include: football, swimming, dance, karate, kickboxing, cycling and many more.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
The DofE programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, we will offer it to everyone at Wakefield Independent school from ages 14-16. Years 9-11.
There are three levels, which when completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Many of our children complete their Bronze and Silver here and then go on to Gold at College.
You achieve your Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if you're going for Gold) - Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and for Gold, a Residential.
You'll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity (Gold only).
The best bit is - you get to choose what you do!
From the first day to the last, it’s a real adventure. You’ll enjoy loads of new experiences, discover talents you never thought you had and challenge yourself. Plus you’ll do things you love and get a kick out of. It’s a real buzz!
Then there’s all the other stuff…
…achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities.
...you're getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already).
...you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.
And above all, it's a great laugh - the question should really be why wouldn't you bother!
