Physical Education

Our PE Intent

At Greenside School, we have developed a physical education (PE) curriculum with the aim that all pupils develop ‘physically literacy’ and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and motivation required to lead a healthy and active life. We intend for pupils to master the fundamental movement skills that will allow them to excel in a broad range of physical activities and encourage life-long participation in physical activity and sport.

Throughout their time at school, children learn and explore the fundamental movement skills of agility, balance and co-ordination and are taught the knowledge needed to master these and achieve personal goals. Pupils develop these skills throughout their time at Greenside and leave as confident movers who are able to participate in a wide range of sports. Through following the ‘Real PE’ scheme, we provide a child-centred, holistic and inclusive approach to learning that also focusses on developing children’s physical, personal, social and cognitive and creative skills to enable them to be successful in the classroom and in later life.

Greenside also utilises the ‘PE Hub’, ‘Real Gym’ or ‘Real Dance’ resources to support them in delivering a sports specific approach to PE, where pupils learn to apply the skills and knowledge taught in ‘Real PE’. In these lessons, pupils are supported to develop their understanding of various sports, rules and continue to develop a passion for sport and physical activity.

It is our intention that children understand the mental health benefits that physical activity can provide; therefore knowing that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

In addition to our core PE curriculum, we aim to provide a broad experience of intra and inter-school sporting activities for our pupils. These competitions and events provide opportunities for children to participate in competitive sport and are intended to develop pupil’s teamwork, communication and sportspersonship, as well as their pride in representing their school in the local community.

PE Accreditations

School Games Platinum Award

Greenside were extremely proud to achieved the prestigious School Games Platinum Mark Award for participation and contribution to sport during the 2022/23 academic year. The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

Every year, schools can apply to be considered for bronze/silver/gold award marks from School Games. The School Games adjudicators, judge each school against stringent criteria, in the areas of sports; participation, competition, staff and clubs, before determining the suitable award level. 

Greenside, have successfully achieved a Gold Award Mark for five consecutive years and this year we are delighted to have been awarded the highest level, Platinum Mark Award. 

This is no mean feat, as a Platinum Mark is only awarded to a handful of schools nationwide, who have consistently achieved a Gold Mark in previous years and have shown consistent dedication to sport and activity in their region.

Health and Wellbeing Beacon School

Greenside Primary School were extremely proud to have our Healthy School 

status re-validated in November 2022, when we were also named a Health & Wellbeing Beacon School. During their visit, the accreditors praised the school for the physical and mental health links which are embedded throughout our PE, PSHE and Science curriculums, as well as the extra-curricular wellbeing provision that we provide.

"The school shows drive and determination to ensure that all pupils are physically active through a diverse and inclusive range of events and opportunities."

We are a REAL Legacy School

Greenside Primary School is proud to be a Real Legacy School.

Real Legacy allows us to bring the school, home and the community together to enable cultural change. Our journey commenced with real PE teacher training to support our PE provision to develop the whole child.

The school is supported with teacher training, school based support, enrichment and competitive opportunities and supporting resources from Create Development all through a holistic approach to develop children's physical, personal, social and emotional skills.

Not only are we on a mission to get our children more active by developing the fundamental physical skills that are so often overlooked, our PE lessons are centred around the child to enable them to be successful in the classroom and in later life.

Swimming Lessons

All children in Year 4 attend swimming lessons for the full academic year, while some pupils in Years 5 and 6 attend extra swimming lessons to help them meet the requirements of the National Curriculum.

If you would like to know more about the importance of learning swimming and water safety skills, please read this guide: