At St Nicholas, we want every child to enjoy being active and to feel confident taking part in PE and sport. Our aim is to help children build positive attitudes towards physical activity, support their wellbeing and give them the chance to reach their full potential in a friendly and inclusive environment.

Children in Key Stage 1 have two timetabled PE lessons each week and we encourage movement throughout the day, whether it’s through active playtimes, outdoor learning, or short bursts of activity in class such as 5-a-day. We follow guidance from the Youth Sport Trust and government recommendations to make sure children are getting the physical activity they need to stay healthy and happy.

Our PE curriculum focuses on developing strong fundamental movement skills, as well as building confidence, resilience and teamwork. We use the Real PE approach, which helps children apply personal, social, cognitive and creative skills to a wide range of games and activities. Lessons are carefully planned to support progress and make sure every child can take part and succeed.

Each week, children enjoy one Real PE lesson with their class teacher and one additional session such as Real Dance or Real Gym. We also offer sports-specific sessions led by specialist coaches, including yoga and tennis. Our yoga instructor helps children develop balance, control and mindfulness, while our tennis coach supports coordination and technique. We also run skateboarding workshops, which are a brilliant way for children to build confidence, balance and resilience in a fun and engaging setting.

We make great use of the School Sports Premium to enhance what we offer, from bringing in expert coaches to running lunchtime and after-school clubs and providing training for staff. Our clubs are open to all and often oversubscribed, showing just how much our pupils enjoy being active. Past clubs have included dance, maypole dancing, yoga, cycling, lacrosse and rugby. Pupil Premium children can access clubs free of charge at the discretion of the Headteacher.

Children at St Nicholas genuinely enjoy PE. As they grow, so do their skills, confidence and enthusiasm. They learn how physical activity supports their health and wellbeing and they’re well prepared to take part in a wide range of sports as they move through school and beyond.