4, St German's Place

Blackheath

London SE3 0NJ

Tel: 020 8858 0692

Physical Education

Our aim is to enable all our children to achieve their potential through physical activity.  The programme of study supports this by offering a variety of sports which help to highlight the importance of fitness for activity as well as for life.  Through competitive and co-operative games we are able to nurture confidence in children and instil the values of sportsmanship and fair play as well as the intrinsic desire to win.  Maximum participation is encouraged and effort is praised at every level.  Most importantly though, we aim to give our children a real desire to take their sport into the next part of their lives whether it be recreational or highly competitive. We hope that they enjoy the challenges ahead and reflect back with fondness to their early memories of sport.

The school is very fortunate in having playing fields accommodating football/hockey pitches, a cricket wicket, cricket nets, a 200m athletics track with 30m sprint area and throwing areas as well as rounders pitches.  There is also a hard court area which can be used for tennis, netball, hockey or football.  In front of the school lies the Heath which we are able to use for cross country.  A multi-purpose hall and fully equipped gymnasium completes the excellent facilities available for PE.

A wide range of fixtures in a range of sports ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for children to represent the school.  Large squads are chosen when we play other schools competitively although there is a clear distinction made between friendly matches and actual competitions.  Care is taken to explain why children are included or excluded from teams and how to cope with success as well as disappointment.  All children will experience competition through the programme of house matches played in several sports during the year.

The programme of study is broadly based on the National Curriculum and includes Athletic Activities, Dance, Games, Gymnastics and Swimming. Outdoor Adventurous Activities are developed through our residential visits programme. Children are taught by specialist PE teachers throughout the school.

Additional activities are also arranged after school throughout the week allowing children to enhance their learning in football, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, table tennis, netball, lacrosse, gymnastics, badminton, dance, rounders and athletics.  Activities are run by teachers with an interest and often an expertise in the sport and some sessions are fortunate to receive tuition from expert coaches from local clubs.  Every Saturday morning there is also a free sports club, with seasonal activities, available to any child who is willing and able to participate in an active two hour PE session.  For a number of years a successful skiing trip has been organised allowing children to spend a week away from home learning new skills.