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PE and Dance

Students in pe lesson pointing at the ground after a long jump

Key Stage 3 PE

 

In Physical Education, we embed Catholic Social Teaching through our inclusive PE curriculum, which ensures all students can explore their talents in a safe and supportive environment. Students demonstrate solidarity when working in teams, supporting each other to achieve common goals. The curriculum teaches values such as compassion, respect, equality and dignity, which helps students to remember we are all made in the image and likeliness of god. By working together students develop not only their physical skills, but also their sportsmanship values allowing them to work in peace and harmony with each other. 

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We aim to provide a PE curriculum that is inclusive to all students in our school community. We do this by adapting and differentiating all sporting activities and by offering a variety of teaching styles to ensure all students can succeed and make progress. Our curriculum aims to inspire students to be motivated and enthused when taking part in physical activity in hope that this will nurture their love for health and fitness and encourage all students to make informed life choices that will have a positive impact on their physical and mental health as they grow into adulthood. 

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At Saints Peter and Paul, Physical Education is shaped by the requirements of the national curriculum, whilst also reflecting our school vision ‘An inclusive community of excellence and opportunity’. Students will experience a balanced and varied, high quality curriculum allowing students the opportunity to take part in individual and team sports within competitive and non-competitive inclusive environments, allowing student to use tactics and strategies to outwit opponents. Some of the sports included in the PE curriculum are, badminton, table tennis, football, rugby, netball, rounders, dance and athletics. In KS3 the sports that have been chosen give a wide range of opportunities for students with the aim that they find something they enjoy and can achieve in. The skills are based around the fundamental movement and include balancing, running, jumping, catching, hopping, leaping, throwing and kicking. Students are actively encouraged to use technical terminology accurately to build up an extended specialist vocabulary. We promote underlying themes that are taught in OCR Nationals Sport Studies throughout KS3 PE in order to underpin the transition into KS4.

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We provide many opportunities throughout PE lessons to embed different personal qualities and values to help develop students into well-rounded individuals who will have a positive impact in our local community now and in the future. Such as developing excellence, confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills, teamwork, communication skills, sportsmanship, resilience, fairness and respect. By providing holistic education in PE our PE teachers ensure all students needs are met and they are engaged in their learning. In addition, we deliver a comprehensive extra-curricular programme to allow students to build on skills and knowledge learnt in lessons and develop confidence in competitive situations. By attending, students have the opportunity to participate and represent our school community in local and national competitions.​​​

OCR Sport Studies

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The intent of OCR Sport Studies is to provide a solid foundation for students who want to progress to study vocational level 3 sport courses or A level PE. This qualification offers students the chance to develop different types of skills through largely practical means such as; communication, problem solving, team working, leadership, evaluation and analysis, performing under pressure, and formulating written findings from practical investigations. These are all transferable skills which can be learned and utilised in many other educational and employment settings.

 

The qualification aims to develop a range of skills through involvement in sport and physical activity in different contexts and roles, develop student's ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, gain a better understanding of the complexity of different areas of sport and the sports industry. Also to increase their awareness of different ways to stay involved in sport and physical activity including developing knowledge of different careers and roles within sport. The qualification has strong links with English, where students will be required to formulate coherent extended writing assignments. This qualification allows all students to be challenged and assessed in different ways, giving them different experiences and pathways to succeed. It’s practical elements nurture team building leadership and problem solving skills which foster a compassionate and respectful culture. 

 

OCR Sport Studies has 3 units one of which is a mandatory written exam in May of Y11. The designing of the course allows for the other 2 units to be completed in Y10 and autumn of Y11 to give the students time to achieve their best result and resubmit work if needed. The course also allows for trips out of school and the units have been designed to be completed in the months that do not affect and GCSE preparation.

Key stage 4 Dance 
 

The BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Dance) promotes the principles of Catholic Social Teaching such as community, human dignity, and the expression of truth and beauty. Through dance, students explore and express human experiences and emotions, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for the inherent dignity of each person. The collaborative nature of performing arts encourages a sense of community and solidarity, reflecting the Catholic commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive society. 

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The study of dance as an art form includes the disciplines of performance, choreography and appreciation, contributing to the development of student’s physical, creative and analytical skills. The aim of our dance curriculum is to promote students love for self-expression through a vocation that is becoming increasingly popular and ever changing in today’s society. 
 

The qualification offered to students provides an insight into the performing arts industry as a dancer, equipping them with the essential skills and tools necessary for future success. Students will develop an awareness of their mental, emotional and physical self, whilst studying the art of dance. It’s an opportunity for students to take part in dance, understanding how to develop the body through warm ups, technique classes, and effective dance training. Whilst also learning how to cultivate creativity, communicate ideas and express their individual voice using movement as the medium. Teaching, learning and assessment are all embedded through practical and professional performances.  
 

The curriculum provides opportunities for both independent work and working as part of a larger group. Whilst some lessons are structured and teacher led, there are also regular opportunities for students to be autonomous developing their skills in a range of different areas and styles. This also encourages students to develop their teamwork, interpersonal, leadership and communication skills. Schemes of work have been designed to ensure all students aspire, achieve and enjoy whilst being challenged to make rapid progress. We believe in excellence and inclusion at all levels, recognising that students thrive in an environment of supportive high standards. In addition, dance develops student’s creativity, confidence and self-esteem, whilst also developing self-discipline and awareness, preparing them for the world of work and society. 
 

The key stage 3 dance curriculum provides a foundation for this qualification. It has been designed to motivate and engage students to express themselves through creative movement, allowing opportunities for students to explore and develop their own ideas. Students will learn the basics of how to create a piece of dance through simple actions which are then further developed using different technical devices and performance skills. Students will participate in physical exercise in a fun yet creative way, inspiring a wider awareness of the human body and it’s capabilities in dance performance. 

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Some of the skills and knowledge students will learn are 

  • A conscious awareness of the reasons why we dance. 

  • A brief background of dance styles.  

  • Exploration of themes and stimuli to create work. 

  • Working collaboratively as part of a group to create and communicate ideas.  

  • Observing peer groups in dance practice/performance scenarios - watching dance and giving feedback.  

  • Opportunities to embed and demonstrate a range of physical skills across different styles.  

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