THE MEADOWS SCHOOL
PHYSICAL EDUCATION POLICY
Broad Aims

To enable all pupils to progress to their full potential in PE.

To make PE enjoyable and enriching with a focus on healthy living.

To enable all pupils within school to access a range of activities
differentiated according to their needs.

To provide a balanced programme appropriate for pupils of all
abilities with opportunities for each pupil to develop physically,
emotionally, socially and cognitively.

To develop positive attitudes including a) the conventions of fair
play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour as individual
participants, team members and spectators b) how to cope with
success and limitations in performance c) being mindful of others
and the environment.

Develop awareness of the need for personal hygiene in relation to
vigorous physical activity.

To promote leadership qualities.

To provide regular opportunities for inter school competition
through participation in NSSSSA events, fixtures and
tournaments.

In KS3, KS4, and Post 16, pupils work in class groups (except on
Friday afternoon). At KS4 and Post 16 students work towards
nationally accredited units and certificates (AQA Entry Level PE
has been discontinued (June 2015) so we are currently looking for
an alternative programme to follow).
Teaching and Learning

Due to the needs of the pupils placed at the Meadows School, it is
necessary to modify National Curriculum requirements to suit the
needs of groups and individual pupils. National Curriculum targets
have been broken down into small steps that allow students to
achieve.

Some students require pre-National Curriculum work linked to P
Levels.
Units of work in PE are taught in either half termly (6 week) or
termly (12 week) blocks. PE is planned and delivered by the
coordinator, teachers within the 6th Form and, on occasions, a
variety of specialist sports coaches.
Planning and Record Keeping


Long term planning is based on the National Curriculum and
informed by the National Strategy and organised in blocks.

QCA document, Planning, Teaching and assessing the curriculum for
pupils with learning difficulties: PE supports inclusive practice.

Medium term planning is currently under review. It is essential
that all outside coaches provide the coordinator detailed plans
of the sessions they take within school.

Targets set are linked to the Annual Review and ultimately the
Statement of Education Need for each individual student.
Assessment
Each pupil is assessed by a range of methods.

Assessment is through end of Key Stage requirements and ongoing
teacher assessment. Class based tasks are used within the context
of the lesson.

Annual assessment
Students are assessed against National Curriculum Levels, P Scales and B
Squared descriptors where appropriate to their achievement and level of
progress. The PE Coordinator is responsible for baselining, updating and
recording this information.
For those students who are working towards GCSE, Entry Level or BTec
qualifications, examination board criteria is used as appropriate and
students’ work moderated in accordance with each board’s requirements.
Resources
Most PE lessons take place in The Fulmar Centre that includes a sports
hall, gym and dance studio. Pupils are also able to access the Astroturf
pitches that belong to Leek Hockey Club. These facilities are shared with
Leek High School and other local schools / colleges / clubs.
In agreement with Leek High School’s PE coordinator, equipment in the
storerooms around the sports hall is available for students from The
Meadows School to use as long as they do so responsibly.
The Co-ordinator attends Local Authority network meetings regularly and
other identified courses as available.
A range of basic resources (eg balls, bats, cricket set, rackets) are
available centrally to all staff (Office storeroom).
Some teachers have their own resources to suit their and their students’
needs.
Swimming
Most pupils in school participate in swimming on a weekly basis at Brough
Park Leisure Centre in Leek. A detailed breakdown of how this operates
(including a timetable, NOP and EOP ) can be found in the “Swimming
Master Folder” in Class 11.
North Staffs Special Schools Sports Association
The North Staffs Special Schools Sports Association was formed by a
group of teachers from various local special schools 30 years ago. It’s
principal aim is to promote and develop inter-school sporting and social
links for pupils with special needs in the North Staffordshire area.
The association has always been inclusive. Pupils with a variety of special
needs are able to participate in a wide range of sporting activities
including football, basketball, cricket, unihoc, cross country, athletics,
swimming, tag rugby, fishing, softball and short tennis. (see Sports
Boards / trophy cabinet in the foyer).
Inclusion
All pupils, regardless of race, gender, culture or disability shall have the
opportunities to develop their PE capability. The school will promote equal
opportunities and fairness of distribution of PE resources. All pupils
regardless of learning difficulties will have the opportunity and support
for special learning needs. Dyslexia friendly strategies will be employed
throughout the school to ensure that all pupils have access to relevant
and appropriately challenging learning opportunities that will build on
their prior knowledge, understanding skills and support achievement and
progress to support and increase access to visual communication.
Health and Safety
PE will be taught with due regard to pertinent Health and Safety
regulations as detailed in the School Health and Safety Policy. Further
guidelines on Safe Practice can be found in the “Safe Practice in Physical
Education and School Sport” manual.
To ensure safe practice, pupils will be taught to
 Respond readily to instructions
 Recognise and follow relevant rules, laws, codes, etiquette and safe
procedures for different activities or events in practice and during
competition
 Be aware of the safety risks of wearing inappropriate clothing,
footwear and jewellery and why particular clothing, footwear and
protection are worn for different activities
 Lift, carry, position and use equipment safely
 Warm up and recover appropriately from exercise
(See also swimming NOP / EOP in blue “Swimming Master Folder”).
Cross-Curricular literacy opportunities
Teachers will seek to take advantage of opportunities to make crosscurricular links. They will plan for pupils to practise and apply the skills,
knowledge and understanding acquired through PE lessons to other areas
of the curriculum.