Physical Education at The Polygon School

Ethos

At the Polygon School, we believe that Physical and Outdoor Education is one of the most powerful tools in changing and improving the lives of young people. We operate a strong ethos of inclusion and enjoyment, whilst building confidence and raising the self-esteem of our boys. We believe our pupils can learn many valuable transferrable skills through participation including teamwork, problem solving, communication and resilience. Our department aims to provide our boys with many opportunities to build cultural capital through wider experiences and personal development residential trips.

Intent

Key Stage 3 (years 7-9)

During the early PE lessons, the PE staff are acutely aware that for many of the pupils, the Primary School PE experience has, more often than not, been a negative one.

The primary aim is for our pupils will develop their confidence and interest to get involved with a full range of activities available at school and as a consequence develop communication, resilience and teamwork skills. Pupils will be able to understand the principles of warming up and the long-term health benefits of physical activity.  Pupils should understand what makes a performance effective and will be encouraged to develop basic analysis skills. The pupils will develop their fundamentals of fitness, participate and gain an understanding of the importance of exercise. Pupils will be taught a variety of sports and activities including football, cricket, basketball, deck hockey, field hockey, basketball, racket sports, and circuit training. As part of the school’s wellbeing focus, pupils will also undertake the accredited life skills in PE award.

Personal development opportunities such as interschool sports fixtures, ABA boxing awards and powerboating experiences will also help build confidence, resilience and self -esteem. We are looking to enhance the range of fixtures available and with a focus on personal fitness across the 3 Key Stage 3 years.

Key Stage 4 (years 10-11)

At Key Stage 4, there is dual realisation that the PE offer needs to include two main things to be able to equip pupils for a life involving sport beyond the four walls of Polygon. Firstly, there needs to be for the vast majority of pupils, the offer of a sports based qualification across 2 years (unless a pupil is in a mixed year tutor group, then this may need to be offered across 3 years where appropriate) and secondly, that the pupils are offered a realistic glimpse of the sport they will able to access in the real world beyond Year 11.

Pupils will continue to develop and enhance their technique and practical performance in team and individual sports. KS4 pupils will begin their NCFE technical award level 1 / 2 in health and fitness where they will learn about the different body systems, and apply this knowledge to training and fitness principles. Second year pupils will further develop their independent learning skills by completing a synoptic assessment.  During the task pupils will be expected to apply their knowledge to a project brief and demonstrate an understanding of health and fitness by creating an individualised training programme.

Implementation

Pupils are encouraged to actively participate each lesson and engage fully with the curriculum.  are assessed each term strengths and areas for development are identified. Lessons are sequenced and taught so that students can apply their prior knowledge to their current learning.

As a result of the mixed age group classes, key stage four theory lessons may be divided into smaller groups to enable individuals to focus on their different areas of study. Opportunities for ‘hands on’ and practical learning will be utilised where appropriate.

During the build up to the external examination, pupils will have the opportunity to practice past papers and develop exam techniques. Extracurricular learning opportunities will also be available.

Impact

Qualifications:

The NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness.

The qualification is graded at Level 1 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* and Level 2 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* (equivalent to GCSE grades 8.5-1).

This Level 1/2 qualification is appropriate for learners who are looking to develop a significant core of knowledge and understanding in health and fitness and be able to apply their learning.

The study of health and fitness involves understanding the functions of the body systems, understanding the principles of training, and knowing how the body reacts in the short and long term to fitness activities, how to create and apply lifestyle analysis tools and how to create a fitness programme for a person with specific goals. 

The qualification focuses on an applied study of the health and fitness sector and learners will gain a broad understanding and knowledge of working in the sector. All pupils will have two opportunities to sit the examination giving the maximum chance for success.

By the end of year 11, pupils will also have been given the opportunity to gain accredited awards in a variety of outdoor adventurous activities.