PE and School Sport Premium
In April 2013, the Government announced new funding of £150 million for physical education (PE) and sport. This funding was targeted at improving the quality and breadth of PE and sport provision in schools. Each year, our school receives a set amount of money that is to be used in this way.
This year (2023-2024) our school received £17,962.00
Attached above are the details of the spending of this money for this, and last academic year.
The Knotty Ash PE Curriculum
At Knotty Ash Primary School we believe that when children are actively engaged in an inspiring yet supportive environment, we can make an important contribution to the overall health and well-being of our children. We strive to offer high-quality experiences of PE and sport which have the potential to change young people’s lives for the better.
Through PE and Sport, our children develop a number of important holistic qualities. These include confidence, ambition, self-esteem, discipline, having respect for rules, being able to cope with winning and losing, forming positive relationships, determination, courage, etc. If these qualities are present, young people are more likely to feel secure in taking risks in their learning, attempting more challenging tasks, and therefore improving their overall ability.
Our curriculum offers a wide range of activities which are delivered in school and aim to engage and inspire all children. We are also committed to ensuring that all children receive at least 2 hours per week of high quality well-planned PE.
Over the year each child will participate in games, athletics, dance and gymnastics lessons with swimming for all Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 children delivered through the Liverpool City Swimming Programme who provide two high quality specialist swimming teachers. Our aim is that all children who leave our school at the end of Year 6 are able to swim 25 metres.
Adventurous activities in our junior classes, including climbing, canoeing, problem solving, orienteering and archery (some which are delivered while they attend annual residential trips.) In addition to this, we give time in our curriculum to solely develop the children's fitness and knowledge of the importance of exercise and diet.
Our school competes against other schools across the city in football, rugby, cross-country, netball and athletics, through our partnerships with various organisations, such as KMC Sports and Liverpool Schools Partnerships. We are constantly looking to widen the sports that we are able to offer to the children in this way.
What does the School Sport Premium mean for our school?
‘Schools must spend the additional funding on improving their provision of PE and Sport, but they will have the freedom to choose how to do this’ (DfE, June 2013)
‘Real PE’ Scheme of Work
We have invested in a new scheme of work for PE to use throughout the school which ensures that our PE lessons are fully aligned to the New 2014 National Curriculum ; becoming a real LEGACY school in 2019.
The ‘real PE’ programme is based on a holistic approach which recognises the key abilities children need to be successful both within PE and Sport and across the curriculum.
Staff have been trained in how to deliver the ‘real PE’ scheme which is helpful to their overall continuing professional development (CPD).
Our real PE curriculum is now enhanced by real GYM and real DANCE units. Each year group is currently taught 4 units of CORE real PE, 1 unit of real DANCE and 1 unit of real GYM per academic year; giving our children a wider and more enhanced curriculum and further developing their skills.
Membership to LSSP (Liverpool School Sports Partnership)
This partnership has grown over recent years and provides our children with centrally run competitions and festivals so that they are able to develop their sporting skills. Events run at centralised locations across the city and children at our school are able to compete against children from other schools in competitive but inclusive events. This really enriches and enhances what we are able to offer the children at Knotty Ash.
Annual Sports and Health Week
Lessons and activities associated with sports and leading a healthy, active lifestyle.
Food stuffs for events during the week, i.e. Smoothies and fruit picnics.
Inter-house ‘World Cup’ competitions and medals for winners.
Specialist Teachers
Provide a specialist PE teacher from local Secondary school to work alongside school staff in a CPD role to develop quality teaching of gymnastics/dance in all KS1 and 2 year groups for at least one half term.
Extra-Curricular activities & Competitive Sport (including; LSFA (Liverpool Schools Football Association) membership, Cross-county and Athletics)
Development of our sporting environment at Knotty Ash Primary
In recent years we have invested heavily in the development of our outdoor space at school. The building of the forest school area, for outdoor education and exploration, was quickly followed by the laying of the running track, in order for our children to complete the daily mile each day.
This was then followed by the building of a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) on the area of the school field. This has now further enhanced the delivery of PE and sports within school, as it has given us a surface that can be used all year round that is big enough to teach from, hold community events and competitive sporting matches.
This academic year (2023-24), we have developed both of our school playgrounds with the installation of multi-purpose outdoor gym equipment.
If you would like any more information on any of these projects, or would be able to support in fundraising, then please contact Mr England in school.