Physical Education
Educate U’s holistic approach to PE helps students build a lifelong commitment to health, well-being, and positive social relationships. By embedding adaptive teaching practices, trauma-informed strategies, and connections to the SMSC curriculum, we ensure that every student at Educate U has the opportunity to thrive, both physically and emotionally.
Intent
At Educate U, our aim is to create a therapeutic, trauma-informed PE curriculum that promotes personal growth, emotional well-being, and social development. Our curriculum is deeply connected to the SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural) framework, fostering self-awareness, empathy, respect, and teamwork. We provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students can explore physical activity, develop resilience, and build healthy relationships.
Educate U PE program prioritizes the development of fundamental life skills, resilience, and reflective thinking. We encourage students to enjoy physical education and physical activity while nurturing a positive growth mindset. By encouraging determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, we guide students toward making healthy, active lifestyle choices.
The values of fairness, equality, and cooperation are embedded into the curriculum, teaching students the benefits of working collaboratively and celebrating each other’s achievements. We aim to instil a lasting love for physical activity, ensuring students gain the skills to continue living healthily beyond their time at Educate U.
Implementation
Our PE curriculum is carefully designed to meet the diverse needs of our learners through adaptive, inclusive practices. It is delivered progressively, from Key Stage 2 (KS2) to Key Stage 4 (KS4), offering a wide range of activities such as striking and fielding games, invasion games, fitness circuits, outdoor adventurous activities, net and racket games, and athletics. These activities foster self-esteem, teamwork, leadership skills, and physical well-being, helping students reach their full potential.
Key aspects of our implementation include:
1. Adaptive Practice:
Differentiated Tasks: Activities are adapted to ensure all students can participate. For example, in striking and fielding games, students may choose between different types of equipment (soft, medium, hard balls) to suit their ability and comfort level.
Flexible Groupings: Groupings are made based on skill or emotional readiness, ensuring students who need more support are paired with peers who can guide and encourage them.
Task Modifications: For students with sensory sensitivities, we provide quieter areas or adjust the use of equipment during activities like fitness circuits and net games. This trauma-informed approach ensures that all students feel safe and supported.
Personalized Feedback: Teachers provide individualized feedback, helping students reflect on their progress. For example, in athletics, students set personal targets, which fosters motivation and resilience.
2. Therapeutic and Trauma-Informed Strategies:
We embed therapeutic practices throughout our curriculum, offering a safe space where students can engage in physical activity at their own pace. Social-emotional learning (SEL) principles are integrated into PE lessons to promote self-regulation, reflection, and positive social interactions.
Staff are trained to understand trauma-related behaviours and provide emotional support during PE lessons, ensuring students feel understood and cared for.
3. Engagement with Local Facilities:
We introduce students to local parks, gyms, and leisure centres to extend their learning beyond school, promoting independent use of community resources for maintaining physical and mental well-being.
4. Progressive Curriculum:
Students build on their knowledge and skills from KS2 to KS4. The curriculum evolves as they move through each key stage, ensuring physical, emotional, and social competencies grow in line with their individual needs.
5. SMSC Integration:
Spiritual Development: Activities like outdoor adventurous activities (OAA) help students connect with nature and develop a sense of appreciation for their environment.
Moral Development: Ethical behaviour, respect, and fair play are consistently reinforced through discussions on rules, sportsmanship, and collaboration in competitive games.
Social Development: Emphasis on communication, teamwork, and cooperation is fostered through invasion games, helping students negotiate roles and learn mutual respect.
Cultural Development: Exposure to diverse sports enhances students’ cultural awareness, teaching them to appreciate and respect traditions from around the world.
Impact
As students’ progress through the PE curriculum, they demonstrate enhanced physical skills, emotional intelligence, and social competence. By KS4, they gain independence and confidence in managing their emotions and navigating social situations. This equips them with the skills necessary to face challenges both in and out of the classroom.
Key outcomes include:
1. Physical and Emotional Well-Being:
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of health and fitness, making informed choices about their physical well-being. They recognize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity.
2. Development of Social and Emotional Skills:
Through teamwork, leadership opportunities, and inclusive participation, students develop empathy, cooperation, and conflict-resolution skills. These social competencies prepare them for positive relationships beyond school.
3. Curiosity, Courage, and Resilience:
As students transition through the key stages, we work towards them developing a spirit of exploration and resilience. The curriculum encourages them to explore new sports and activities, pushing their boundaries and nurturing perseverance.
4. Long-Term Impact:
Educate U’s PE curriculum is designed to nurture a lasting passion for sports and physical activity. The skills and values students acquire contribute meaningfully to their overall well-being, with the hope that they foster lifelong habits of health and activity.
*Students also emerge as confident, resilient, and empathetic individuals who value teamwork, fair play, and personal growth, qualities that will serve them throughout their lives.
