At Tornedale Infant Academy, we believe that physical education (PE) plays a vital role in developing children’s physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Our PE curriculum is designed to help children grow in confidence, coordination, cooperation, and care for their own health, from the very start of their school journey.

In Nursery and Reception, physical development is a core part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Children are given daily opportunities to build gross and fine motor skills through purposeful play, movement, and exploration. We make full use of our outdoor learning environments, where children can climb, run, balance, dig, and build strength and control in exciting, meaningful ways. Our approach encourages children to develop confidence, spatial awareness, and a positive relationship with being active from an early age.

As children move through school, we work in close partnership with Excite, who provide us with a dedicated PE coach. This supports the delivery of high-quality weekly PE sessions, as well as lunchtime and after-school clubs that promote active lifestyles and physical confidence in fun and engaging ways. These additional opportunities help our children to develop key movement skills, while also learning about teamwork, fair play, and resilience.

We also use Your PE to provide a planning platform that supports and enhances teacher-led sessions. Our staff adapt these plans to meet the developmental needs of our children, ensuring lessons are inclusive, progressive, and engaging for all learners.

Our approach to PE includes:

• Developing fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, balancing, and coordination
• Promoting enjoyment of physical activity through a range of games, challenges, and activities
• Encouraging teamwork and cooperation, with an emphasis on communication and respect
• Providing regular opportunities for active play, including the use of outdoor areas
• Celebrating effort and participation, helping children feel confident and successful in PE
• Offering extracurricular activities, including a lunchtime club and a variety of after-school sports clubs throughout the year
• Fostering a positive attitude towards healthy living and physical wellbeing

A highlight of our PE year is our non-competitive Sports Day, held at the end of the academic year. This inclusive event celebrates participation, teamwork, and fun, reflecting our belief that every child can succeed and enjoy being active.

Through our carefully planned and well-supported PE provision, we aim for all children at Tornedale to develop:

• A love of physical activity
• Positive self-esteem and resilience
• A sense of team spirit and fair play
• The confidence and motivation to stay active and healthy beyond Key Stage 1

At Tornedale, we strive to inspire every child to enjoy being active and to develop the skills they need for a healthy future.