________________________ Physical Education
Riverside Bridge School is committed to promoting the health and well-being of all pupils and staff through physical activity. The aspiration in developing physical activity is to influence the whole school community to establish and maintain lifelong physical activity habits.
Riverside Bridge School strives to maximise opportunities for children, young people and all associated with the school to be physically active by promoting all avenues for activity. This includes the curriculum, environment and wider community.
The promotion of physical activity is delivered through:
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Physical Education lessons led by members of staff and /or our PE specialist teachers;
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cross curricular links in our curriculum – programme, PE, PSHE and science;
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extra-curricular clubs run through our after-school activities;
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playtime activities.
We want our pupils to become physically confident and independent in a way which supports their health and fitness. Through sports participation, we also enable our pupils to build character and embed values such as fairness and respect. From learning how to develop fundamental motor skills to become increasingly more confident and competent, we offer our pupils a broad range of opportunities such as Jump London, swimming lessons to extend their agility, balance and coordination individually or in a team. Our pupils are able to take part in competitive and co-operative physical activities in a range of challenging situations and context such as Borough Curling Competition and Trewern Outdoor Education Centre.
Within our Healthy Living Area of of Development, our pupils learn to make healthy choices in relation to exercise:
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How to master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching.
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How to use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation.
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How to use running, jumping, throwing and catching in combination.
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How to apply balance in a range of activities.
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How to apply agility in a range of activities.
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How to apply co-ordination in a range of activities.
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How to develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance.
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How to participate in team games.
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How to understand simple tactics for attacking and defending in team games.
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How to apply attacking and defending tactics in competitive games.
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How to perform dances using simple movement patterns.
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How to perform dances using a range of movement patterns.
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How to perform dances using a range of dance styles and forms.
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How to swim and be safe in water
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How to compare their performances with previous ones.
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How to take part in outdoor activities.
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How to take part in adventurous activity challenges individually or within a team.
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How to take part in competitive sports and activities outside the school through community links or sports clubs.
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How to demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.
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How to understand the importance of regular exercise.
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How to participate in regular exercise activities.
Through the WJEC Healthy Living and Fitness Award, our pupils learn ways in which they can contribute to a healthy lifestyle and are encouraged to demonstrate activities which will improve their own lifestyle. They learn to become active contributors when working with others on group activities and to be able to review their own progress and skills development and how to identify and work towards goals appropriately. They are provided with the opportunities to develop decision making skills which will enable them to make appropriate choices in their own lives and to develop an understanding of the link between food and health. They are also able to acquire a knowledge and understanding of safety and hygiene when preparing, cooking and serving food.
Asdan Personal Progress course is offered to our Key Stage 4 pupils. This course has been developed for learners with a wide range of learning needs and abilities and provide meaningful outcomes through a person-centred approach that prepares learners for adult life. The Entry 1 qualification in Personal Progress is approved by Ofqual qualifications and made up of units in the following areas: Literacy, Numeracy and ICT; Employment; Independent Living; Good Health, Community Inclusion.
With the Sports Leaders Award, using sports, when they are ready, some of our young people also develop and hone their skills in communication & leadership and boost their confidence to become more employable and help lead others. In doing so they can be role models for other pupils.
The school also promotes physical activity within their AQA Award program i.e. accreditation towards taking public transport to the supermarket.
In addition to curriculum time allocated specifically to physical activity, all pupils are provided with opportunities to be physically active through out-of-class time via a wide range of activities including both individual and team/group and non-competitive and competitive.
The emphasis is on participation and enjoyment and the opportunities are open to all pupils, regardless of ability.
Unstructured Playtime
Our school has a playground with playground markings and play equipment for free play. Staff engage and encourage pupils in physical activity at playtime. Each class has their own playground equipment for playtimes. In addition, pupils are encouraged to use the Trim Trail and the Biking Area at playtime.
Extra-Curricular Physical Activity
We aim to encourage all pupils to take part in a range of extra-curricular activities, and involve them in deciding the activities we put on offer. Registers of extra-curricular clubs are kept to identify those who do not take part in (extra) regular exercise.
Pupils have a diverse choice of activities in which they can participate – competitive, non-competitive, structured, unstructured and including some physical activity options such as gardening.
Competitions
Specific events are organised throughout the year to promote physical activity and raise its profile across the whole school community:
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inter-school football, rounders, cricket, athletics tournaments.
School trips
Our pupils enjoy many educational visits to the local area or to place of interest in London or further afield such as Jump London – a trampoline park, ELHAP Adventure Centre, Ingrebourne Valley Trip, or our residential trip in Trewern in Wales for our KS4 pupils, the ideal place to stay for our young people whether they want to walk in the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park, explore rivers by canoe, or simply enjoy a local walk.
Active Travel
This policy links closely with the school’s Travel Plan and pupils are encouraged to walk, bike, scout or use public transport to come to school.
Pupils are offered ‘Bikeability’ Training.
The school is also involved in the ‘Walk to School’ and “the Daily Mile” programmes.
