--- title: "Primary PE Gymnastics Resources & Lesson Plans" url: https://thepehub.co.uk/activities/gymnastics/ description: "Our primary PE gymnastics guide provides an intro to teaching the gymnastics activity, free example lesson plans and teaching resources" --- # Gymnastics Activity Guide ## Activity Overview Gymnastics in UK primary schools plays a key role in developing children’s physical abilities, including strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Taught through engaging and structured lessons, it introduces fundamental movement skills in a safe and inclusive environment. Gymnastics also nurtures confidence, creativity, and resilience, while encouraging enjoyment of physical activity. Gymnastics supports wider health and wellbeing goals, helping children build lifelong habits of fitness, focus, and self-expression. Below you'll find key information on the gymnastics activity, two free gymnastics key stage 2 lesson plans, and a range of free gymnastics resources suitable for teaching at Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. ## Key Gymnastics Information ### Age Range Gymnastics is commonly taught across each of the key Primary School stages. ✅ Foundation ✅ Key Stage 1 ✅ Key Stage 2 ### Glossary Gymnastics has an extensive glossary of terms. We’ve produced a single resource for teachers outlining everything you need to know. Our glossary is also available as a PDF for easy downloading and printing. [Full Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gym-glossary-1703/) ## Free Gymnastics Lesson Plans & Units of Work ### [Year 4 Gymnastics Unit 1](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-4-gymnastics-unit-1-121/) Become increasingly competent and confident to perform skills more consistently. Perform in time with a partner and group. Use compositional ideas in sequences. 6 Lesson Plans · 35 Resources - [Year 4 Gymnastics Unit 1 Lesson 6](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-4-gymnastics-unit-1-121/lessons/year-4-gymnastics-unit-1-lesson-6-739/) — 1. Enhance their existing sequence and perform it to be judged 2. Use a judging system to evaluate a group sequence 3. Use feedback to make improvements to their performance **We are learning:** to judge a performance and use feedback to improve **Activity:** Judge and improve ### [Year 6 Gymnastics Unit 1 ](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-6-gymnastics-unit-1-125/) Experience flight on and off high apparatus. Develop and perform a range of partner balances. Use equipment and formations confidently in a rhythmic gymnastics style sequence. 6 Lesson Plans · 17 Resources - [Year 6 Gymnastics Unit 1 Lesson 1](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/units/year-6-gymnastics-unit-1-125/lessons/year-6-gymnastics-unit-1-lesson-1-762/) — 1. Attempt hurdle step progressions 2. Some – Use a run-up and hurdle step to vault onto the box top 3. As a pair, complete a six-element sequence containing flight, contrasting shapes, and counterbalances **We are learning:** to use controlled flight onto high apparatus **Activity**: Assessment for learning ### Paid Subscriber Content At the The PE Hub, we offer 80 lesson plans for Gymnastics, spanning Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2. Lesson Plans are grouped into manageable units of work and designed to make it straightforward to teach a holistic gymnastics curriculum. All our lesson plans come with detailed downloadable resources as standard. We have more than 170 resources for gymnastics. Also available for a small additional annual fee is our [Gym Elevate programme](https://thepehub.co.uk/partners/rb-gym-sport-the-primary-gymnastics-scheme-of-work/). Developed in partnership with RB Gym & Sport, the programme gives subscribers to The PE Hub access to an additional 72 lesson plans and 140 teaching resources, developed by experienced gymnastics coaches. [Start Free Trial](https://thepehub.co.uk/register/?orderType=FREE_TRIAL) ## Gymnastics FAQs ### Is primary PE gymnastics a core subject? Gymnastics isn't a core subject at Foundation, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2. However teaching gymnastics as part of a varied curriculum may help schools meet the general goals specified at each stage, e.g. [Experience agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others.](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-physical-education-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-physical-education-programmes-of-study) at Key Stage 1. ### Is gymnastics commonly taught at Foundation / Reception level? Yes, gymnastics is commonly taught to Foundation / Reception aged children. Typical teaching goals for Foundation / Reception Gymnastics are clear, simple to achieve and tailored to this age cohort - e.g. develop confidence in fundamental movements, develop coordination and gross motor skills. ### What equipment is required to teach gymnastics? Teaching a comprehensive gymnastics programme requires more specialised equipment than some other activities, e.g. rounders. Basic equipment to get started safely includes gym mats, benches (for balancing, jumping and linking movements), small soft shapes (e.g. foam blocks / wedges to assist in basic rolls) and cones & markers for station setup and movement guidance. ### How do primary-school aged children benefit from gymnastics? Gymnastics is a true all-rounder activity. Typical benefits from teaching Foundation, KS1 and KS2 children gymnastics include improved strength and co-ordination, increased focus and self-discipline and the ability to successfully perform in front of a peer group. ## Access all our gymnastics lesson plans today Sign up for a subscription to The PE Hub to access all our gymnastics lesson plans, covering Foundation, KS1 and KS2 [Sign Up Now](https://thepehub.co.uk/register/?orderType=PURCHASE) ## Free Gymnastics Teaching Resources - [Angry and Happy Cat](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/angry-and-happy-cat-14/) — Fitness · Gymnastics · Illustrations - [Bench Bunny Hops](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/bench-bunny-hops-36/) — Gymnastics · Illustrations - [Bunny Hops](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/bunny-hops-78/) — Body Management · Gymnastics · Illustrations - [Camel Walk](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/camel-walk-77/) — Gymnastics · Illustrations - [Counter balance grip](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/counter-balance-grip-68/) — Gymnastics · Illustrations - [Counterbalance Handout](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/counterbalance-handout-67/) — Gymnastics · Handouts - [Egg/Tuck Roll](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/eggtuck-roll-156/) — Body Management · Gymnastics · Send & Return · Illustrations - [Gym Glossary](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gym-glossary-1703/) — Gymnastics - [Gymnastics - Feet to Table Top](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gymnastics-feet-to-table-top-1998/) — Gymnastics - [Gymnastics - Forward Roll](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gymnastics-forward-roll-880/) — Gymnastics - [Gymnastics - Knees to Table Top](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gymnastics-knees-to-table-top-1994/) — Gymnastics - [Gymnastics Equipment List](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/gymnastics-equipment-list-1959/) — Gymnastics · PE Leader - [One footed balances](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/one-footed-balances-1577/) — Body Management · Gymnastics - [Partner & Counter Balances](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/partner-counter-balances-1226/) — Gymnastics · Handouts - [Partner Balances](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/partner-balances-1228/) — Gymnastics · Handouts - [Supporting knees to table top](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/supporting-knees-to-table-top-1377/) — Gymnastics · Presentations · Year 6 - [Travel Actions](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/travel-actions-1246/) — Gymnastics · Handouts - [Year 4 Gym Unit 1 L6](https://thepehub.co.uk/free-content/resources/year-4-gym-unit-1-l6-handout-1254/) — Gymnastics · Handouts · Year 4