Physical Education at River
River Primary School offers a broad, varied Physical Education and School Sport experience for all children. We offer opportunities in sport for pupils to be creative, competitive, co-operative and to face different challenges as individuals and within teams. We believe that physical activity ensures physical, mental, emotional well-being and encourages children to take part in sports which they enjoy sustaining into lifelong participation.
Curriculum
The PE curriculum is broad and balanced, is accessible to, and aims to meet the needs and interests of all pupils. Children will have opportunities to explore the areas of net and wall, striking and fielding, invasion games, Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA)/Swimming, Dance and Gymnastics.
Opportunities for All
On a termly basis, all children participate in competitive sport through our embedded programme of intra-school sport competitions (Level 1). This means that they represent their house team in different events, such as: dodgeball, athletics, multi-skills, and handball. They earn points to contribute to their house totals and the winning house receives a school trophy.
A large number of children [40 %] compete in inter-school competitions (Level 2) with notable achievements in Quicksticks Hockey, Football, Tag Rugby, Netball and Kwik Cricket.
These successes lead to a number of individuals and teams progressing to represent the district in area competition at the Kent School Games (level 3). Links within local community clubs are well established with coaches from Dover Rugby Club working with our inter-school team.
Additional opportunities are made for children through our group of schools, the Samphire Learning Hub. Events such as Infant Agility, athletics and mini marathon further promote engagement, enjoyment and sportsmanship.
River Primary wins prestigious National School Sport Accolade
In 2017 River school became one of the first schools in England to win a new national award for making a commitment to develop its children to be the best they can be in competitive school sport. River is one of only 104 schools in the country to receive recognition at School Games Platinum Award level. The award is part of the School Games Mark, a government led awards scheme launched in 2012 and administered by the Youth Sport Trust. Its aim is to reward schools for a commitment to the development of competition across schools and into the community. The Platinum Award is the new fourth level of the award scheme, introduced in 2017 to celebrate schools who had shown consistently high-levels of enthusiasm and commitment to school sport having achieved the award for five successive years at gold level. This award lasts for two years; 2017-2019.
Success continues!
In 2109-2021 we retained our Platinum award level following our application reflecting on
How has your school improved since your last Platinum application? As a school we have reflected on the involvement of all pupils on the planning and delivery of competition through our intra-sport termly events, the greater ownership by all pupils within year groups. The increased leadership skills and confidence pupils have gained from performing a number of different roles prompted us as a school to introduce the role of Playmakers to support active play for all pupils. We have developed an action plan for 2019-2020 to establish even greater pupil involvement Our next steps will be:
Kent School Games Excellence Award
In March 2019 River Primary were awarded the Kent School Games Excellence award for the outstanding practice, provision and continued competitive sporting experiences for all pupils. We are one of fifteen schools across Kent to receive this award. The award is a mark of achievement that as a school we are very proud of.
Wider community
We promote positive attitudes toward healthy, active lifestyles. This is achieved not only through the PE, science and PSHCE curriculum, but also such initiatives such as the Kent Messenger Active Bug Scheme which encourages families to reduce car journeys and to use healthier alternatives to travel to and from school.
Through the participation within National Sports week all pupils are engaged in the need to sustain a healthy life style. Cross-circular learning opportunities are explored through a theme, previous themes have been cricket, football and rugby world cup experiences, as well as alternative exercise.
National Sports week culminates with a whole school event this year’s cricket world cup theme allowed pupils to also engage in a traditional cricket match, afternoon tea and fete. Year 4 and 5 pupils planned, resourced and delivered a fete for all year groups to attend; it also coincides with our annual Sports Day events.
Provision of support for talented young sports people
Primary - Talented young sports people are offered specific support to help them to develop their sporting potential through enrichment days designed to develop the whole sports person, engaging in individual and team activities, challenging their cognitive, creative, physical, social and personal skills. Additional opportunities to develop leadership are offered through officiating and scoring within intra-sport competitions as well as annual sports days across the whole school.
Sports Funding
The government is providing additional funding for academic years 2016 to 2020 to enhance provision of physical education and sport in primary schools. At River this funding will be used:
By allocating funding in this way we aim to achieve sustainable improvement for a time when funding is no longer available.