At Dunalley Primary School, we aim to inspire every child to develop a lifelong love of physical activity and sport. Through high-quality PE lessons, enrichment opportunities and our Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) provision, we encourage children to lead active, healthy lifestyles and enjoy the benefits that physical activity brings to both physical and mental wellbeing. We strive to develop confidence, resilience and teamwork, enabling children to challenge themselves, achieve their personal best and experience success. By the time they leave Dunalley, our pupils have the knowledge, skills and motivation to continue participating in sport and physical activity throughout their lives.

Our carefully planned PE curriculum ensures that all children experience a broad and balanced range of physical activities throughout their primary education. Fundamental movement skills are developed and refined through a progressive programme of learning, providing the foundations for participation in a wide variety of sports and activities. In Key Stage 1, children are introduced to gymnastics, dance and games, alongside the continued development of core movement skills. In Key Stage 2, pupils build on these foundations through gymnastics, dance, net games, invasion games and outdoor and adventurous activities. We also provide opportunities to engage with a wider range of physical activities, including golf, fitness and yoga, helping all children to discover activities they enjoy and can continue beyond school.

Children also benefit from regular opportunities for physical activity throughout the school week, including the use of our school mile track.

Swimming and Water Safety

In Year 4, children take part in an intensive programme of swimming and water safety lessons at the local leisure centre. Through these lessons, pupils develop confidence in the water and work towards achieving the National Curriculum expectations for swimming and water safety. Additional support and opportunities are provided for children who require further practice.

Enrichment and Competitive Sport

Our wide range of extra-curricular sports clubs is open to all children and provides opportunities to develop skills, improve fitness and enjoy being active. Clubs run before and after school and are led by school staff and specialist providers. Throughout the year, pupils participate in a variety of festivals, competitions and sporting events through the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury School Sports Partnership. These opportunities include cross-country, football, tag rugby, hockey, tennis and athletics, as well as activities such as dance, archery and mountain biking. We are proud of our strong tradition of participation in local sporting events and encourage all children to represent the school with enthusiasm, determination and sportsmanship. Pupils across Key Stages 1 and 2 have opportunities each year to take part in festivals or competitions alongside children from other local schools.

Curriculum Information

The National Curriculum provides the framework for our PE curriculum, outlining the knowledge, skills and understanding that children are expected to develop during their primary education. Our staff have carefully designed long-term curriculum plans to ensure that these requirements are met whilst delivering engaging, enjoyable and challenging learning experiences through the Get Set for PE scheme. The curriculum documents below provide further information about the PE curriculum in each year group and show how knowledge and skills are developed progressively across the academic year.