“Sport teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose - it teaches you about life.” Billie Jean King 

Billie Jean King is an American former world No. 1 tennis player. She won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. 

Physical Education at St Thomas'

At St. Thomas’, our PE curriculum is more than just exercise—it's about encouraging students to lead healthy and active lives. Through our carefully planned program of skill development, fitness development work, game-based learning and inclusive practice, we aim to inspire a lifelong passion for physical activity and well-being, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.  The PE curriculum also helps to promote healthy habits and lifestyles, and develop the important values of teamwork, determination, respect, and resilience.  

Our PE curriculum helps children to develop the knowledge and skills and attitudes needed for physical exercise and sports whilst playing a crucial role in nurturing children’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.  Our teachers deliver a broad and balanced, high quality PE curriculum to all, at times also working alongside highly skilled sports coaches.

Our PE curriculum teaches children many of the skills needed in sport and introduces the children to a variety range of activities, sports and games as they develop and move through school. Our children will be taught movement skills in the first few years in school to develop basic skills, co-ordination, balance and control; they will also be taught gymnastics, dance, games and athletics. Children will also take part in Outdoor and Adventurous activities within their PE lessons. In addition, once in the Juniors our children will be taught swimming at the local pool, usually in Year 3. It is so important that children learn to swim as early as possible as we live in a coastal town by the sea, and we ask that families also encourage children to swim before Year 3 so that children are familiar with being in water when they go with school.

Our PE and sports provision includes all pupils and aims to develop confidence, promote a teamwork and provides children with the opportunity to showcase their developing talents and interests. We recognise the importance of both competitive and non-competitive school activities and healthy competition in our PE lessons, on Sports Days and other sporting events in our own school, and through involvement in competitions and tournaments with local schools.  

Our PE Curriculum and lessons enable children to develop in a range of ways:

1. Physical Literacy: We develop children’s fundamental movement skills, coordination, and agility, providing a foundation for lifelong physical activity and participation in sports.
2. Health and Fitness: We promote physical fitness and well-being through regular exercise, active play, and healthy lifestyle choices, encouraging children to lead active and balanced lives.
3. Social and Emotional Development: PE helps to foster social skills, teamwork, leadership, and resilience through cooperative games, team sports, and collaborative activities.

In addition to our PE lessons in school, we encourage children to become involved in sports during extra-curricular club provision with a range of sporting clubs held before school and at lunchtimes with our own staff and sports coaches.

Take a look at our learning in P.E.