Subject Policy: P.E.

Rationale

Physical Education develops pupils’ physical competence and confidence and their ability to use these to perform in a range of activities. It promotes skilfulness, physical development and knowledge of the body in action. Physical Education provides opportunities for pupils to be creative, competitive, cooperative and face up to different challenges as individuals and in groups and teams. It promotes positive attitudes toward healthy and active lifestyles.

Pupils learn how to think in different ways to suit a wide variety of creative, competitive, cooperative and challenging activities. They learn how to plan, perform and evaluate actions, ideas and performances to improve their aptitudes, abilities, preferences and make choices about how to get involved in lifelong physical activity.

National Curriculum for England and Wales; Physical Education; p15

Dove Green Private School seeks to provide a full, varied and interesting Physical Education curriculum which challenges, engages and excites staff and pupils alike. We see Physical Education as a vital part of the education experience as a whole.

Aims

The aims and objectives of the PE Department relate directly to those of DGPS as a whole: namely that we endeavour to provide an educational experience that is broad and balanced in its delivery and content.

In order to do this we aim to:

1. Stimulate and maintain pupil interest and enjoyment in PE and to promote health and fitness for current and future lifestyles.
   1. Enable pupils to be familiar with a body of knowledge, principles and vocabulary to relate to PE.
      1. To enable pupils to see PE as:
         1. A major feature in our lives, related to employment, leisure and culture.
         1. Part of a wider body of knowledge and skills, EG interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

• To enable pupils to:
  • Understand and use safe practice and to appreciate its importance in PE.
  • Understand the short and long term effects of exercise on the body.
  • Understand the role of exercise in a fit and healthy lifestyle.
  • Enable pupils to develop a range of desirable personal qualities such as safety, awareness, politeness, perseverance, concern for others, initiative and independence. The establishment of self-esteem through the development of physical confidence is a major aim for the Physical Education department.
  • Enable pupils to work independently and as part of a group or team in varied activities so as PE contributes to the development of core skills such as communication by speech.
  • Employ teaching methods and resources that will allow all pupils to have equal access to PE and to experience success and enjoyment in their PE work.
  • Develop an awareness in pupils of the implications of sport and physical activity (past and present) for the individual and local, national and international communities.
  • Allow pupils to develop informed opinions and be able to support them in reasonable argument.

Objectives

These objectives relate directly to the aims for PE at DGPS and are intended to show how the aims are put into practice.

1. Staff should provide a variety of experiences and activities during the course of study and during a PE lesson if possible and appropriate, for example:
   1. Games
   1. Gymnastics
   1. Swimming
   1. Indoor and Outdoor activities
   1. Individual and group activities
   1. Problem Solving
   1. Communicating PE ideas to others by means such as speaking
   1. Listening and appraising.
   1. Practising and refining skills
   1. Using repetition in order to improve

• The National Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2 should be used for the Schemes of Work and adopted to meet the individual needs of pupils and reflect the National Priorities of the UAE. Rules, vocabulary and games skills such as attack, defence and fielding

will be taught. Staff should encourage pupils to recall and apply their knowledge and skills in familiar and unfamiliar situations.

• Staff should refer to work in other curriculum areas when appropriate:
  • Pupils should follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
  • Safety is further enhanced by emphasis on the following:
    • The need to wear correct clothes/equipment.
    • The need to follow rules.
    • How to lift, carry, move and place heavy equipment.
    • The need for warm-up and recovery period when exercising.
    • How to swim and be safe when around water.
    • General safety rules when engaged in Outdoor Education.
• Lessons should be conducted in a secure, supportive and disciplined manner that demonstrates mutual respect. Pupils should learn the rules, etiquette, laws and codes for various activities. The department’s schemes of work identify planned opportunities for pupils to develop a range of desirable personal qualities.
• There should be opportunities for individual and/or group activities so as pupils can express their feelings verbally and learn how to work cooperatively as well as on their own. Whole school agreed Thinking Tools should be used to promote continuity and progression.
• Staff should encourage pupils to improve in a particular sport or skill over a period of time.
• Staff should adhere to the school and class Dojo reward systems in order to encourage pupils to achieve their full potential and experience a feeling of achievement.
• Pupils should be encouraged to share their experiences/culture with others in order to enhance the quality of learning and to develop socially and inclusively.
• Staff should not attempt to spend inequitable amounts of time with any one pupil or groups of pupils/gender group etc. However staff often spend considerable amounts of their own time helping individual pupils.
• Staff should attempt to show the enjoyment and benefits that PE and Sport have given us. This can be done by carefully phrased comments and well-chosen resources.
• As a school working toward inclusion we will allow opportunities at various times for group discussion. At these times we can listen to each other’s views and hopefully reflect upon them, particularly on health and fitness issues.

Health and Safety in PE Policy

Introduction

The effective management of safety for DGPS has four main components:

1. Risk Assessment and planning before a lesson.
2. Organisation of routines during and between lessons to include:
   1. The use of appropriate kit.
   1. Checking PE areas are free from sharp objects and broken glass.
   1. Location of safety equipment.
   1. Reporting accidents.
3. Control to include:
   1. Where to find safety information.
   1. Regular safety checks.
4. Monitoring and Review – including procedures for reporting hazards/suspected hazards and those for reviewing risk assessments and safety in general.

Risk assessment and planning before a lesson

All department staff are required to familiarise themselves with the Health and Safety policies of the school and department. Every activity should be assessed for risk, including the carrying of equipment. We attempt to balance the desire to minimise risk with the need practical activity. Risk assessments are carried out in accordance with the school’s Health and Safety policy and with reference to BAALPE’s Safe Practice in Physical Education guidelines.

Before a lesson starts staff should:

1. Have procured any necessary safety equipment and undertaken any specific safety measures.
2. Know how and when to use any particular facilities and equipment.
3. Have identified the quantity and condition of the equipment to be used by pupils.

In identifying risk staff should:

1. Identify hazards.

• Identify cause and effect.
• Examine working methods.
• Investigate safety literature for advice.
• Remove hazards where possible.

In case of emergency staff should:

1. Be familiar with evacuation procedures in case of fire or other emergency.
2. Know the location of, and when and how to use, fire fighting equipment.
3. Know the location and identity of members of staff trained in First Aid.

Control

Teachers should be aware of:

1. Where to find information.
2. The Safety File containing safety circulars from the Dubai Municipality.
3. Health and Safety Policy.
4. School Health and Safety policy and where to find it.
5. The procedures for reporting accidents, particularly those that constitute an emergency.
6. The school’s behaviour and discipline policies.

Other

1. PE Equipment is annually checked by appropriate agencies.
2. Periodic safety checks of PE equipment are carried out by members of staff gymnastics equipment is checked before a unit of work commences.

e.g.

• Several members of staff are First Aid qualified:
  • Michelle – School nurse, Miss. Gibbs – Deputy Head teacher, Mrs. Gilbert –

Deputy Head teacher.

Inclusion

DGPS is committed to inclusion. The PE Department reflects this commitment and will do its utmost to include all pupils regardless of gender, colour, religion, ability or disability in accordance with the whole-school inclusion policy. However as Physical Education is by definition active, and some of the activities in PE have attached risks, there are occasions where inclusion is not appropriate for the safety and enjoyment of all participants. However, every effort is made to safely adopt the activities to achieve the learning objectives of the lesson. This is most likely to be the case when the behaviour of individuals is in question. In this instance staff are referred to guidance offered in BAALPE’s Safe Practice in Physical Education. The current version is 2004.

Inclusion will be implemented as follows:

• Standard activities and expectations as planned.
• Adapted activities and expectations in line with individual pupils’.
• Different activities planned in line with individual pupils’ needs.

Inclusion issues will be considered and acted upon in consultation with parents, children,

the school’s senior management team and having sort guidance from BAALPE, the school’s

Inclusion policy.

Introduction

DGPS run a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs on an open-access basis. Pupils are not penalised for non-attendance but sports teams are usually selected from those who attend extra-curricular clubs. Inter- House competition is offered from FS2 to year 6.

Cross Curricular Links

Links

PE staff will make every attempt to link work on a cross curricular basis. Staff should be aware of each year group’s topics for that term and plan for suitable links. These are some possibilities for each subject.

1. Science
   1. Health and Fitness.
   1. Drugs and Abuse.
2. Maths
   1. Speed.
   1. Distance.
   1. Time.
   1. Measuring.
   1. Recording.
   1. Handling Data.
3. English
   1. Speaking and Listening.
   1. Subject-specific vocabulary.
4. Geography
   1. Map-reading.
5. Music
   1. Rhythm.
   1. Tempo.
6. Computing
   1. Use of stop watches.
   1. Use of digital camera and digital video.
   1. Use of spreadsheets for recording and interpreting data.
   1. Use of the internet.
7. UAE Moral Education
   1. Healthy attitudes.
   1. Healthy living.
8. Languages

1. Body parts.

Assessment

DGPS’s Assessment Policy informs all areas of the PE Department’s assessment procedures.

The PE Department will formally assess the progress of pupils at the end of each unit of work. Formative assessment is carried out on a lesson-by-lesson basis on the classroom monitor assessment tool. In addition pupil’s sometimes complete self-assessment and peer assessment tasks.

It is expected that good quality data will form part of the monitoring of standards and will assist n smooth transition from one age group to the next.

Policy for PE Kit

PE Kit

Pupils are expected to bring their own kit to each physical education lesson. The agreed PE kit is listed below:

Boys	Girls
Non – marking trainers	Non – marking trainers
White sports socks School PE shorts School PE T shirt School cap for outdoor PE	White sports socks School PE shorts School PE T shirt School cap for outdoor PE

When pupils are taking part in off-site activities they are expected to wear the appropriate clothing in accordance with the sport and facility. Teachers will provide guidance where necessary.

Pupils are expected to bring PE kit to every lesson. If a pupil is unfit to participate in a PE lesson they are still expected to bring and change into, PE kit. However a note from their parent/guardian will allow them to participate in an appropriate role, be it as coach, scorer, and umpire/referee or peer evaluation. The only occasions on which pupils will be excused participation in lessons are situations such as a pupil in plaster with a broken limb.

Pupils who fail to bring the correct PE kit will, in the first instance, be given a written warning and an explanatory letter sent home; on the second occasion they will be given a negative merit (dojo point) and an explanatory letter sent home; on the third occasion the pupil will do a break time detention. This process will run over a continuous 6-week cycle. Pupils failing to bring a note will be expected to participate fully in a lesson.

Pupils’ notes will be retained for the duration of that term, stored securely in the PE office,

and disposed of securely (shredded) at the end of the term.

General

Security

Members of staff are responsible for safety and security of the sports buildings and facilities. The School Hall should be checked at the beginning of each period of use to ensure that the floor surface is clean and free of any hazardous materials or equipment.

Once staff have checked that pupils are outside the buildings, the areas should be left locked when not in use and lights turned out.

Pupils are not to enter the PE storage areas or office unless specifically invited to do so by a member of staff, and never without supervision.

Members of staff are responsible for the safety, well-being and conduct of all the students listed on their registers for the whole time they have been allocated to them for lessons. Students excused from participation due to illness or injury must remain under the supervision of a member of staff at all times.

Valuables

While every effort is made to ensure that all pupils’ valuables and belongings will remain safe and secure during Physical Education lessons, pupils will be reminded that the PE Department and School will not be held responsible for items lost or stolen. Valuables will be collected and stored securely during lessons, however pupils are encouraged to leave items of value at home. Changing rooms will be locked during lessons and no student should be given access to the changing rooms without a member of staff being present. Members of Staff are able to exercise their own professional judgement in this area.

Hot/wet weather contingencies

If, due to hot/wet weather or dangerous conditions lessons are unable to be taught outdoors, lessons will be switched indoors. In PE lessons, the decision to switch lessons indoors will remain with the teacher responsible for that lesson; in Games lessons the decision will rest with the Head of PE.

Whenever possible the lesson content should be maintained. For example if it is too hot/wet to do high jump outside, the lesson can be taught equally well indoors. If this is not possible then another practical activity should be undertaken suitable to the class/group size and composition.

Dove Green Private School is lucky that because of the quality of indoor facilities it will rarely be necessary to stop a practical lesson. However in the event that this becomes necessary the department will hold copies of sports related worksheets and activities in the PE filing cabinet or files on shelves.

Coordinator                        Headmaster                    

Governor                Review Date