Athletics Activity Guide
Activity Overview
Athletics in primary PE develops pupils’ running, jumping and throwing skills through structured activities that build speed, control and coordination across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. In Key Stage 1, Athletics is introduced through simple games and challenges that meet the national curriculum requirement to master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching, while developing balance, agility and coordination and beginning to apply these in a range of activities. Lessons typically include short sprints, standing long jumps, target throws and simple relay-style races that are accessible and easy to organise.
As pupils move into Key Stage 2, athletics becomes more structured and technique-focused. Children refine sprint starts, explore pacing in longer-distance running, develop more controlled jumping technique and improve accuracy and distance in throwing events. By upper KS2, pupils begin measuring performance, applying simple tactics in relays and understanding how technique influences speed, distance and consistency across different athletic disciplines.
Below you will find key information on Athletics, a free Athletics lesson plan, and a range of resources suitable for teaching Athletics confidently throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Key Athletics Information
Age Range
Athletics and Athletic Skills are taught to children in EYFS, Key Stages 1 and 2 through our Speed Agility Travel, Run Jump Throw and Athletics units.
✅ Foundation/Reception
✅ Key Stage 1
✅ Key Stage 2
Year 6 Athletics Knowledge Organiser
This example knowledge organiser provides a clear overview of facts, vocabulary and concepts required to successfully teach athletics to Year 6 pupils. As with all our document resources we've made this available as a downloadable PDF file.
Olympics & Paralympics KS2 Resource Pack
Regardless of whether we're in an Olympic year, the Olympics are a great subject for inspiring and teaching EYFS, KS1 and KS2 students. This resource pack includes a lower KS2 comprehension worksheet, upper KS2 comprehension worksheet and specific worksheets for other subjects that cover Olympic themes. Available as a downloadable PDF file.
Free Athletics Lesson Plan & Unit of Work
Year 5 Athletics
Sustain pace over short and longer distances. Run as part of a relay team. Perform a range of jumps and throws.
Year 5 Athletics Lesson 6
- Work in small groups to design a running, jumping or throwing event.
- Choose suitable distance, equipment, time and space.
- Teach the event to another group.
We are learning: to design a running, jumping or throwing activity for others using the STEP principle Activity: Event planning
Paid Subscriber Content
At the The PE Hub, we offer 48 lesson plans for Athletics and Athletic skills, covering the whole of EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Lesson Plans are grouped into manageable units of work and designed to make it straightforward to teach Athletics to Primary-school aged children.
All our lesson plans come with detailed downloadable resources as standard. We have more than 120 individual teaching resources covering Athletics and Athletic skills available to paid subscribers to The PE Hub
Athletics FAQs
Is Athletics part of the primary PE national curriculum?
Athletics is not named as a standalone sport in the national curriculum, but its core elements are embedded throughout both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. At KS1, pupils must master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching. At KS2, pupils apply and develop these skills in competitive games and other physical activities, which commonly include structured athletic events.
What skills should pupils learn in KS1 Athletics?
In KS1, athletics focuses on fundamental movement skills such as sprinting, changing direction, jumping for distance or height, and throwing with increasing control. Activities are usually delivered through simple games and relays that build balance, agility and coordination while keeping tasks accessible and inclusive.
How does Athletics progress in KS2?
In KS2, pupils refine technique and begin applying skills in more structured events such as timed sprints, longer-distance runs, standing and running jumps, and distance or accuracy throws. Older pupils may measure and record performance, learn simple pacing strategies and understand how technique affects speed and distance.
What equipment is needed to teach Primary PE Athletics?
Athletics requires minimal specialist equipment. Cones or markers for running lanes, relay batons, measuring tapes, stopwatches, foam javelins, beanbags or soft balls for throwing, and mats or marked areas for jumping are usually sufficient. Most activities can be delivered on a playground or school field with simple setup.
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