At St Robert Southwell Catholic Primary School, we believe that physical education is central to a child’s growth, health, and happiness. Rooted in our mission to nurture the whole child—body, mind and spirit—our PE curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to develop fitness, confidence, teamwork and resilience while also cultivating a lifelong enjoyment of sport and physical activity.
PE is taught as a discrete subject, with all pupils receiving two hours of timetabled PE each week. Lessons span a wide range of activities including:
In Year 3, every child takes part in swimming lessons delivered by qualified coaches, ensuring they leave primary school with essential water safety skills. Pupils also complete Bikeability training, helping them to become safe and confident cyclists.
Our approach is fully inclusive: all children are encouraged to participate, take risks, challenge themselves and celebrate both personal achievement and team success.
We are proud of our strong sporting tradition. Pupils are invited to join a variety of extra-curricular sports clubs, and many go on to represent the school at local tournaments and festivals. Through these opportunities, children learn the importance of discipline, commitment and perseverance, as well as the joy of healthy competition.
We also emphasise the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and humility in both victory and defeat. These principles reflect our Catholic ethos, teaching pupils that success is about more than winning—it is about respect, effort and care for others.
We recognise the growing national concern about childhood obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. At St Robert Southwell, we work proactively to give children both the knowledge and the habits they need to live healthily.
Through PE, science, RSHE and practical experiences, children learn:
Lunchtimes and playtimes also provide opportunities to be active, with safe spaces for both energetic play and calmer activities. Water is the only drink consumed in school, and children are encouraged to eat a hot, nutritious meal each day.
We support the Government’s School Food Plan by providing free hot lunches for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, and encouraging pupils across the school to choose healthy school dinners. A balanced diet, shared in community, is an important part of our care for the whole child.
At St Robert Southwell, we see physical education not only as a subject, but as a way of helping children live active, healthy and joy-filled lives, in body, mind and spirit.
