What to Look Out for in a Primary School PE Programme

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A strong primary school PE programme should be inclusive, ambitious, and designed for all learners, ensuring that every child makes good progress, not just the most athletic pupils. When selecting a PE curriculum, it's essential to consider how it supports skill development, engagement, and long-term physical literacy. In this guide, we'll break down the key aspects you should look for in a high-quality PE programme.

Intent: Setting the Right Vision for Learning

A clear vision of what all children are expected to learn is fundamental to an effective PE programme. The best programmes ensure that PE is not just about playing sports but about:

• Providing inclusive learning opportunities for all ability levels.
• Developing core movement skills that progress over time.
• Fostering a love for movement and physical activity that extends beyond school.

PE should support all students in making good progress, not just those who are naturally athletic. A high-quality PE programme ensures that learning objectives are clear, well-structured, and scaffolded to help children build confidence in their abilities.

Implementation: The Structure of a Strong PE Programme

A well-designed PE curriculum should be deep, consistent, and progressive, allowing students to revisit and build upon skills year after year. This ensures that movement competencies are developed steadily across Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11).

you can rad our guide, Building a PE Curriculum for Primary Schools here

Key Aspects of a Well-Designed PE Programme:

• Progressive skill development: Movement skills should be introduced in the early years and refined as children grow.
• Balanced curriculum coverage: A mix of physical skills, games, and tactical understanding.
• Engaging lesson resources: High-quality programmes like imoves provide video demonstrations, lesson plans, and structured activities to ensure teachers feel confident delivering engaging sessions.

Impact: Measuring Progress Without Overcomplication

The best PE programmes ensure that students are making measurable progress without requiring complex or time-consuming assessments. Instead of lengthy, formal tests, a strong PE curriculum will use:

• Informal snapshot assessments (such as RAG ratings) to track development efficiently.
• Layered progress tracking to give teachers a clear picture of student growth.
• Downloadable resources to support easy and effective assessment.

You get access to imoves assement snapshot with our PE Plus Programme

Research has found that many younger pupils lack competence in basic movement skills, making it crucial to choose a PE programme that prioritizes fundamental movement skills from early childhood through primary education.

Developing the Whole Child Through PE

PE is about more than just physical activity; it's a subject that helps shape the whole child. The right programme will focus on:

• Building communication skills through teamwork and collaboration.
• Encouraging creativity through dance, movement exploration, and problem-solving activities.
• Enhancing tactical thinking by teaching strategy and decision-making in different sports contexts.
• Promoting resilience and perseverance, helping children develop confidence in their abilities.

Imoves primary school PE programme ensures that PE lessons nurture not just physical development, but also social and emotional growth, making it a truly holistic educational experience.

When choosing a primary school PE programme, look for one that: ✅ Is inclusive and progressive for all learners. ✅ Provides clear planning and engaging resources to support teachers. ✅ Uses efficient assessment methods to track progress without adding unnecessary workload. ✅ Develops both physical and cognitive skills to prepare children for lifelong movement.