P.E. & Sport
Welcome to the Park Road Academy Primary School PE Page!
At Park Road Academy Primary School, we believe that physical education is a vital component of a well-rounded education. Our PE curriculum is designed to inspire and engage children in a variety of physical activities, promoting fitness, teamwork, and a lifelong love of sport.
On this page, you will find information about our exciting PE curriculum - for more information about the various sports and activities our pupils participate in, please head to the 'Extra-Curricular' page under the 'School Life' tab or click here.
Whether it’s in the hall or out on the field, our goal is to support every child in achieving their personal best and developing a healthy, active lifestyle.
PE Curriculum
At Park Road Academy, we recognise Physical Education as an essential part of every child's development. Our PE and Sport curriculum aims to inspire a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity by providing a broad, balanced and inclusive range of sporting experiences. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop physical competence, confidence, resilience, teamwork and leadership skills, regardless of their individual abilities or sporting experience.
Our curriculum is delivered with the help of PE Passport, which provides a progressive tool within the learning from Nursery through to Year 6. Children develop fundamental movement skills in their early years before progressing towards increasingly complex techniques, tactical understanding, decision-making and competitive activities. Throughout their time at Park Road Academy, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their performance, recognise their achievements and understand how regular physical activity contributes to a healthy and active lifestyle.
We aim to provide children with opportunities to be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day through PE lessons, active playtimes, lunchtime activities, extra-curricular clubs and sporting opportunities. In addition to their timetabled PE lessons, children in Years 1–5 benefit from a further 30-minute physical activity session during one lunchtime each week, providing additional opportunities to develop skills, enjoy physical activity and stay active.
Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on inclusion, ensuring that activities are adapted to meet the needs of all learners. Through appropriate adjustments to space, tasks, equipment and support, children are encouraged to participate meaningfully, develop at their own pace and achieve personal success. Assessment through PE Passport considers physical performance alongside knowledge, decision-making, cooperation, leadership and personal improvement.
Each year, our whole-school Sports Week provides opportunities for pupils to participate in a wide range of athletic activities and represent their school houses: Dunham, Heaton, Lyme and Tatton. The week concludes with our traditional Sports Days for EYFS, KS1 and KS2, where families are invited to celebrate the children's achievements and sporting successes.
Early Years Foundation Stage
In EYFS at Park Road Academy, Physical Education focuses on developing the essential movement skills, confidence and coordination that provide the foundations for future physical development. Children are encouraged to explore movement through purposeful play, structured PE lessons and daily opportunities for physical activity.
In Nursery, children develop stability, balance, locomotion and spatial awareness through activities including yoga, target games, gymnastics and cross-curricular orienteering. They learn to travel in different ways, control their movements, follow simple instructions and use equipment safely.
In Reception, children build upon these foundations through increasingly challenging activities, including locomotion, object control, gymnastics, dance, fundamental movement skills, invasion games, athletics and striking and fielding activities. Children begin to develop their ability to throw, catch, kick, balance, jump and move with increasing control and accuracy.
Outdoor learning and continuous provision offer further opportunities for children to develop their gross and fine motor skills through climbing, balancing, construction, riding bicycles and scooters, and exploring different physical challenges.
Throughout EYFS, the emphasis remains on developing a positive attitude towards physical activity, building independence, encouraging cooperation and ensuring children feel confident and successful when participating in PE.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, children continue to develop their fundamental movement skills, becoming increasingly confident and competent in their agility, balance, coordination and object control. Our curriculum builds upon the foundations established in EYFS and introduces children to a wider variety of physical activities and sporting experiences.
Across Years 1 and 2, pupils participate in units including fundamental movement skills, gymnastics, dance, invasion games, net and wall games, striking and fielding games, target games, athletics, yoga and tri-golf. Cross-curricular orienteering also provides opportunities for children to develop communication, cooperation and problem-solving skills.
Children learn to combine movements with increasing control, develop accuracy when throwing, catching and striking, and begin to understand simple attacking and defending principles. Through gymnastics and dance, pupils create and perform movement sequences, exploring balance, pathways, shapes, rhythm and expression.
As children progress through Key Stage 1, they are encouraged to make increasingly independent decisions, recognise the importance of rules and fair play, and work cooperatively with others. Teachers can use PE Passport to assess physical skills alongside confidence, decision-making, teamwork and the ability to reflect upon and improve performance.
Our aim is for children to leave Key Stage 1 with secure fundamental movement skills, a positive attitude towards physical activity and the confidence to participate in an increasingly broad range of sports and physical challenges.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, children build upon their fundamental movement skills and begin applying increasingly sophisticated techniques, tactics and strategies across a broad range of sports and physical activities.
Our PE curriculum includes invasion games such as football, basketball, netball, hockey, tag rugby and lacrosse, alongside striking and fielding activities including cricket and rounders. Children also develop their skills through athletics, gymnastics, dance, tennis, tri-golf, ultimate frisbee, health-related fitness and outdoor adventurous activities.
In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils focus on refining their technique, developing an understanding of rules and positions, and applying simple attacking and defending strategies. Children learn to communicate effectively, recognise space, make tactical decisions and develop confidence when participating in competitive activities.
In Upper Key Stage 2, pupils are encouraged to demonstrate greater independence, leadership and tactical awareness. They learn to select appropriate strategies, analyse performances, adapt their decisions and evaluate their own and others' achievements. Opportunities to lead activities, officiate games and support teammates help prepare children for secondary school PE and future sporting participation.
Our curriculum also includes cross-curricular orienteering and outdoor adventurous activities, allowing children to develop navigation, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills in practical and engaging environments.
Throughout Key Stage 2, children are encouraged to demonstrate positive sporting values, including determination, self-belief, honesty, respect, teamwork and resilience. We promote healthy competition while recognising that success in PE is not simply about winning, but also about effort, improvement, cooperation and personal achievement.
Swimming, Gymnastics and Specialist Provision
At Park Road Academy, children in Years 4 and 5 receive specialist swimming and gymnastics lessons through Trafford Leisure at Altrincham Leisure Centre. These sessions take place across the spring and summer terms and provide pupils with access to specialist teaching, coaching and purpose-built facilities.
Swimming lessons focus on developing water confidence, swimming technique, stamina and essential water safety skills. Children work towards meeting the National Curriculum requirements of swimming competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, using a range of strokes effectively and performing safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
Gymnastics sessions allow children to develop increasingly complex balances, rolls, jumps, sequences and movement combinations. Pupils learn to perform with control, coordination and fluency while developing confidence when using specialist gymnastics apparatus.
Swimming attainment is monitored and assessed, with outcomes reported annually through our PE and Sport Premium documentation. This information also helps us identify children who may require further support to achieve the expected swimming standards.
In addition, Year 6 pupils have opportunities to develop valuable personal safety and independence skills through Judo Education personal safety sessions and the Bikeability programme, delivered through Trafford. These experiences promote confidence, self-awareness, road safety and responsible decision-making beyond the school environment.
Extra-Curricular Teams, Clubs & Wider Physical Activity
Park Road Academy is committed to providing a wide range of sporting opportunities beyond the taught PE curriculum. Our extra-curricular offer is designed to encourage participation, promote healthy lifestyles and provide opportunities for children to discover new interests and develop their sporting talents.
Our school-led Friday Football Club runs throughout the academic year for children in Years 5 and 6, welcoming both boys and girls. This provides opportunities for children to develop their football skills, fitness, teamwork and tactical understanding while preparing for competitive fixtures and tournaments.
We also offer a weekly Netball Club for Key Stage 2 pupils on Thursdays, providing opportunities to develop passing, shooting, movement, communication and teamwork.
Working in partnership with Altrincham Football Club, we provide additional parent-funded sporting opportunities across the school. These include football clubs for Years 1 and 2 on Tuesdays and Years 3 and 4 on Wednesdays, alongside a multi-sports club for Years 1 and 2 on Wednesdays. These sessions introduce children to a variety of sporting activities in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
Altrincham FC also provides lunchtime sporting opportunities for different year groups throughout the week. Alongside these sessions, Park Road Academy ensures that every class from Year 1 to Year 5 receives an additional 30-minute physical activity session during one lunchtime each week, separate from their timetabled PE lessons.
These opportunities help children develop their physical fitness, confidence, coordination and social skills while encouraging them to remain active beyond the classroom.
Sporting Competitions, Events & Leadership
Throughout the academic year, Park Road Academy participates in a variety of sporting competitions, festivals and events across Altrincham and Trafford. Through our involvement with local school sport opportunities, children have the chance to represent Park Road Academy, experience competitive sport and develop their teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship.
Our school teams participate in a broad range of sporting events, including football, netball, athletics, cricket, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, dance and inclusive sporting competitions such as SEND bowling. We aim to provide competitive opportunities for children with sporting talent alongside participation-focused events that encourage children of all abilities to become involved.
Leadership is an important part of our PE curriculum, particularly in Upper Key Stage 2. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for organising activities, supporting younger pupils, officiating games and modelling positive sporting behaviour.
Our Sports Leaders help promote physical activity across the school, supporting sporting events, competitions, lunchtime activities and whole-school initiatives. These responsibilities allow pupils to develop communication, organisation, confidence and leadership skills while making a positive contribution to the wider school community.
During our annual Sports Week, children participate in a variety of sporting challenges and competitions, earning points for their school houses. Our traditional Sports Days provide opportunities for every child to participate, celebrate personal achievements and experience the enjoyment of friendly competition.
Through curriculum enrichment, we also provide opportunities to experience sporting events and specialist environments, including Lancashire County Cricket Club open days, cultural dance activities and curriculum-linked sporting visits.
Our aim is to ensure that every child leaves Park Road Academy with positive experiences of physical activity, a strong understanding of teamwork and fair play, and the confidence and motivation to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.