Overview
At Great Bardfield, we want every child to enjoy being active, develop confidence in their abilities and discover the pleasure of learning something new. Our aim is for all children to leave us with the skills and enthusiasm to lead active, healthy lives and enjoy physical activity throughout their lives.
Our PE curriculum is delivered through the Twinkl PE Mastery Scheme, providing a structured and progressive programme that builds children’s skills and understanding year by year. As highlighted in Ofsted’s Research review series: PE (2022), developing secure fundamental movement skills is essential to children’s progress. Skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, balancing and coordination need time, practice and encouragement to develop. These foundations enable children to progress to more complex sporting skills and activities.
Children experience a broad range of activities, including dance, gymnastics, athletics, games, swimming and outdoor challenges. Lessons help children understand how their bodies move, practise new techniques, improve their performance and work effectively with others.
We believe it is important not to rush children into formal games before they have developed the skills and confidence to participate successfully. Doing so can leave some children struggling to keep up, limit opportunities to practise and improve, and risk reducing their enjoyment of sport. By giving children time to master essential skills first, we help them participate more confidently and experience success as they progress.
Inclusion is at the heart of our approach. Children have different starting points, levels of confidence and physical abilities, so staff adapt lessons to provide appropriate support and challenge. This helps every child take part meaningfully, make progress and feel proud of what they achieve.
PE also plays an important role in children’s wider personal development. Through physical activity, pupils learn resilience, cooperation, fairness and respect. They are encouraged to reflect on their effort, celebrate improvement and understand the benefits of physical activity for their physical and mental wellbeing.
PE is a strength of our school. We are proud members of the Uttlesford Schools Sports Partnership, which provides opportunities for children of all ages and abilities to try new activities, attend competitions and festivals, and represent Great Bardfield alongside pupils from other schools. We also offer two free weekly sports clubs, active play opportunities, Sports Week and Sports Day. Our Year 6 Sports Leaders help organise and support activities, developing their leadership and teamwork skills while encouraging younger pupils to participate. We are proud to hold the Gold Activemark Award, recognising our commitment to sport, physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Our school swimming pool enables us to provide valuable swimming and water safety opportunities. In 2025/26, 94% of our Year 6 pupils achieved all the assessed swimming outcomes, including swimming 25 metres, using a range of strokes and demonstrating safe self-rescue.
Ultimately, we want every child to leave Great Bardfield feeling capable and confident, equipped to access sporting opportunities at secondary school and beyond, and ready to find activities they enjoy and remain active throughout their lives.
Curriculum Information
