PE at Larkspur
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Larkspur Community Primary School, our intent is to provide a high-quality Physical Education (PE) curriculum that inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. We aim to develop pupils’ physical literacy, confidence, and competence, enabling them to lead healthy, active lives. This supports our commitment to Learning for Life, as children build skills, resilience and positive habits that extend far beyond school.
Our curriculum is designed to be fully inclusive and accessible to all, fostering a lifelong love of movement and sport. We want our children to understand the benefits of physical activity on both physical and mental wellbeing, and to develop values such as teamwork, resilience, and respect through a broad range of experiences. Through high expectations, encouragement, and personal challenge, pupils are supported to adopt a Believe You Can approach to physical activity. Above all, we ensure Everyone Belongs by providing an environment where all pupils feel valued, supported, and included regardless of background, ability or experience.
Implementation
Curriculum Delivery:
All pupils receive two hours of high-quality PE per week, delivered by their class teacher using the GetSet4PE scheme. Lessons are carefully sequenced to develop fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding progressively across each year group. This structured approach helps pupils grow in independence, confidence and capability.
Inclusive Practice:
We use the STEP (Space, Task, Equipment, People) approach to ensure lessons are fully inclusive and adapted to meet the needs of all learners. Recent investment in equipment has enabled every child to fully participate regardless of ability or need. This reflects our belief that Everyone Belongs, with equity and accessibility at the heart of practice.
Enrichment Opportunities:
We regularly enhance our PE offer through visits from professional athletes, healthy eating workshops, and themed activity days which promote healthy lifestyles.
Competition:
Children are given opportunities to participate in both intra-school and inter-school competitions, building their confidence, sportsmanship and team spirit. Taking part in competitive sport nurtures aspiration and perseverance, strengthening our Believe You Can driver.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Free after-school sports clubs are available to all pupils, increasing access to physical activity beyond the school day.
Active Playtimes:
Break times are structured to promote physical activity with support from trained Sports Leaders, school staff, and our dedicated sports coach who lead games and activities. These positive, cooperative play environments help children develop social and emotional skills.
Swimming:
All Year 4 children attend a weekly swimming lesson throughout the year to ensure they meet the national curriculum requirement for swimming and water safety.
Impact
Through our inclusive and engaging PE provision, pupils at Larkspur Community Primary School:
- Develop competence and confidence in a range of physical activities.
- Understand the importance of regular physical activity and its impact on a healthy lifestyle, demonstrating habits and attitudes linked to Learning for Life.
- Demonstrate increased levels of physical fitness, resilience and personal growth.
- Show improved teamwork, cooperation, and communication skills.
- Participate enthusiastically in lessons, competitions and clubs, with growing aspiration and self-belief rooted in Believe You Can.
- Are well-prepared for the next stage of their PE journey, with many choosing to continue involvement in sport outside of school.
- Meet or exceed national expectations in PE, including swimming proficiency by the end of Key Stage 2.
Events and Tournaments
Early Years Sporty Superheroes
Reception children attended the Sporty Superhero Multi-skills event led by the Gateshead SSP at Gateshead Stadium. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, worked brilliantly as a team and represented the school admirably.
Year 5/6 Indoor Athletics
Our Year 5 and 6 children participated in the Gateshead Stadium indoor athletics competition. There were two sections to the competition: track and field events. Our girls’ and boys’ teams performed admirably, and they should both be very proud of themselves!
KS1 Indoor Athletics
Children from KS1 attended an indoor athletics competition. They had an amazing time! Their experience competing against other local schools was fantastic and they all left with huge smiles on their faces!
Year 5/6 Netball Tournament
Well done to our year 5/6 pupils who represented our school in a netball tournament on Friday. You all showed great sportsmanship and fantastic teamwork ✨️
They walked away earning silver awards ???? and secured a place in the upcoming Gateshead finals.
We are so proud of you ????
Boccia Tournament
We’ve had a fantastic day playing Boccia at Gateshead Stadium. Our teams from Larkspur showed great skill, determination and fabulous team work. We were excited to meet a national Boccia champion, Azhad Fauzi. He said our players were brilliant. We’re so proud of you all ????
Year 3/4 Basketball Tournament
Huge well done to our Year 3/4 children, who represented the school wonderfully this afternoon at the basketball tournament ????????????
Year 3/4 Hockey Tournament
Children in Years 3 and 4 competed in a hockey event on Wednesday at Lord Lawson. They all had a great time and played some excellent hockey while representing the school perfectly ⭐️
Year 5/6 Football League
Over the last 12 weeks, children in year 5 and 6 have been working with JJ, our football coach, to prepare themselves for competing in the league with other schools. All boys showed determination, sportsmanship and skill and represented the school wonderfully each week.
Week 1: Played 2, won 1, drew 1
Week 2: Played 2, lost 2
Year 5/6 Hockey
Our Year 5/6 hockey team represented the school at the Gateshead hockey finals in Spring term! They played against other schools from Gateshead and performed amazingly to finish 3rd in their group! We are so proud of you all⭐️
Dance Festival
This years dance festival theme was Respect. Several children from KS2 worked with Jessica to choreograph a beautiful dance, fitting with the theme of Respect. They performed it wonderfully at The Glass House in Gateshead in front of an enormous crowd. Please see the link below to our Facebook page to view the dance video.
Year 4/5 Girls’ Football
Year 4 and 5 girls, some who have not played football competitively before, took part in a girls’ football tournament at Gateshead Power League during Autumn 2. The girls all worked as hard as they could and performed excellently against many other schools. They won 1 out of their 3 games and finished 3rd in their group. They all left with huge smiles on their faces and a new found passion for football!
Well done girls!
Visitors and Visits
Hoops 4 Health
We love a visit from the Newcastle Eagles!
They visited and completed a Hoops 4 Health workshop in which the children completed basketball activities, healthy living exercises and played a range of games.
Click the link above for more information about the programme.
Tennis
During summer term, classes in KS2 have received additional tennis coaching from an LTA tennis coach, Emily James. Children have been received extra tennis lessons in addition to their usual P.E lessons. A team of children from year 3/4 and 5/6 were selected to take part in a tournament with other schools in our cluster.
Kensho Karate
Children in KS2 were lucky enough to have a block of coaching from a coach at Kensho Karate. In week one, children learnt the basics of karate, when to use it, where it originates from and how to block and attack.
BikeAbility
Children in Year 5 were very lucky to receive a one week intensive programme through the BikeAbility scheme. Children were taught how to safely check their bike before riding it, how to cycle and signal, and how to safely ride on the roads, including junctions.
After School Clubs
Follow the link below to see our wide range of after-school clubs at Larkspur.
Clubs will be available to select on Arbor.
School Sports Week 2024
National School Sports Week (NSSW) is an annual campaign highlighting the importance of physical education, sport and play in schools.
Since its inception in 2008, NSSW has become a cornerstone of the Youth Sport Trust’s efforts to promote physical activity, health and wellbeing among young people.
This year’s theme, powered by the Monster Kickabout, brings a special one-off Euro 2024 event emphasising football to engage young people in 60 minutes a day of PE, sport and play.
Children at Larkspur have engaged in a range of physical activity and sport throughout NSSW with visits from a range of companies delivering unique sports.
