Understanding the National Curriculum for PE in Primary Schools (KS1 & KS2)

Understanding the National Curriculum for PE in Primary Schools (KS1 & KS2)

The National Curriculum in England was introduced in 1988 as part of the Education Reform Act.  At this time, the concept of Key Stages was also introduced; these key stages are as follows:

This blog will cover specifically the national curriculum for PE and break down its coverage for KS1 and KS2.

What is the National Curriculum for PE?

The current version of the national curriculum was announced in 2013 and implemented in 2014, and is a statutory requirement for maintained schools.  The key features of the existing PE national curriculum include:

•  A greater focus on knowledge-based learning
• An emphasis on mastering fundamental movement skills
• Increased focus on competition, against self and others
• Health and fitness as a core outcome, for example, sustained activity
• An expectation that children will take part in Outdoor and Adventurous activities (OAA)
• All children are taught and can swim 25 metres and perform a safe self-rescue by the end of Year 6

 PE is a foundation subject and therefore schools must teach it, although there has been much campaigning to make it a core subject in recent years.  PE is planned, progressive learning for all children, which involves both ‘learning to move’ (becoming physically competent) and ‘moving to learn’ (e.g., learning wider skills and competencies such as communication with others).  Physical education is vital for the development of the whole child, promoting physical health and well-being while encouraging children to cultivate a lifelong passion for physical activity.  

The purpose of PE in the National Curriculum

The inclusion of PE in the national curriculum indicates its importance for children and young people.  The aims as laid out in the National Curriculum 2014 are as follows:

1. Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
2. Be physically active for sustained periods of time
3. Engage in competitive sports and activities
4. Lead healthy, active lifestyles

The purpose of PE in schools is to provide opportunities for pupils to become physically competent and confident.  It should help children build character and understand values such as respect and fairness.  There are no key stage-related attainment targets, but children are expected to know, apply and understand the matters and processes of the programme of study they have been learning, such as an 8-week block of Year 3 gymnastics.

National Curriculum PE KS1 – Key Stage 1 Requirements

The focus at KS1 is on developing fundamental movement skills.  The main expectations of the national curriculum KS1 Years 1 and 2 are as follows.

• Experience agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others.
• Engage in competition against themselves and others.
• Take part in cooperative activities.
• Be taught to master basic movement, including running, jumping, throwing and catching.
• Participate in team games.
• Perform dances using simple movement patterns.

National Curriculum PE KS2 – Key Stage 2 Requirements

The focus at KS2 is on developing a broader range of skills and learning to use them in different ways.  The main expectations of the national curriculum KS2 Years 3,4,5, and 6 are as follows.

• Children should enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing.
• Develop, improve, evaluate and recognise their own success.
• Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
• Play competitive, modified games such as flyers netball and apply basic principles for attacking and defending.
• Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance through all activities
• Perform dances using a range of movement patterns
• Take part in OAA
• Learn to swim 25 metres and perform safe self-rescue

Key Responsibilities for Schools

All primary schools in England must ensure their children receive high-quality PE and aim for two hours of physical education per week.  Some additional considerations for PE within your school:

• Schools must provide regular physical education for all pupils across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.   PE should be taught consistently and follow a broad and balanced curriculum.
• All pupils should be able to participate in PE.  Schools have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to make PE inclusive of pupils with SEND or physical disabilities.  These adaptations could include equipment, staffing or timetable adjustments.
• PE should be taught by fully qualified teachers, or on occasion, sports coaches can lead it with a suitable Level 2 coaching qualification in the associated activity. For example, a sports coach with an FA Level 2 or better coaching badge can lead a football lesson.
• Although beyond the scope of the national curriculum PE, schools are encouraged to embed physical activity throughout the school day, including after-school clubs, active lunchtimes and targeted interventions.  Schools in England have access to the Primary PE and Sports Premium funding to support them with this.
• Swimming and water safety is statutory, and schools must provide it at either KS1 or KS2.  Schools must ensure that by the end of Year 6, pupils can swim 25 metres proficiently, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in water.