Sparken Hill Academy
PE and Sport
PE and School Sport
At Sparken Hill, PE is not an extra. Every child gets two hours of PE every week, taught by a specialist and by their class teacher, from the day they join us to the day they leave.
Why we teach PE
We believe every child has the right to be active, skilful and confident in their body, whatever their background or starting point. For many of our pupils, school is where they first play in a team, compete for their school or discover a sport they love, so we make PE and sport a regular, joyful and ambitious part of every child's week.
Our curriculum builds the physical skills, knowledge and confidence children need to take part in a wide range of sports and activities, to compete fairly and to lead others, and to stay healthy and active for life.
Access for all
Every child, in every class, gets specialist PE teaching every week, with sport adapted so that everyone can take part.
Skills that build
Movement skills are taught in a clear sequence from Nursery and applied in more demanding sports and situations each year.
Active for life
Children develop the confidence, fitness and love of sport to keep active long after they leave Sparken Hill.
How we teach PE
PE is taught through two lessons a week: one led by our specialist sports teacher and a second taught by the class teacher, following a carefully sequenced curriculum.
Two hours. Every child. Every week.
- Hour one: specialist teachingA dedicated weekly lesson with Mrs Paton, our full-time sports teacher.
- Hour two: class teacher lessonA second weekly PE lesson taught by the class teacher, building on the specialist lesson.
- F1Nursery
- F2Reception
- Y12 hours
- Y22 hours
- Y32 hours
- Y42 hours
- Y52 hours
- Y62 hours
In the Foundation Stage, specialist lessons sit alongside daily physical play, indoors and outdoors, that develops balance, coordination and control.
P
Taught by a specialist
Our specialist lessons are led by Mrs Paton, our full-time sports teacher, who teaches every class from Nursery to Year 6. Because she teaches every child, she knows each pupil's strengths and next steps and builds on them year after year.
Our class teachers' lessons have been strengthened through extensive professional development, funded by the PE and sport premium, in which staff work alongside specialist coaches. This means the quality of PE stays high in both lessons, and the expertise stays in school.
A broad range of activities
Children experience a wide range of physical activities, taught in a planned sequence across the school.
- Movement skillsRunning, jumping, throwing, catching, balance and coordination
- Invasion gamesGames such as football, netball, basketball, hockey and lacrosse
- Net and wall gamesGames such as tennis and badminton
- Striking and fieldingGames such as cricket and rounders
- GymnasticsShapes, balances, rolls and sequences
- DanceCreating, performing and responding to dance
- AthleticsRunning, jumping and throwing for distance, speed and accuracy
- Outdoor and adventurousOrienteering, teamwork and problem solving
How skills build
Our curriculum is planned alongside every other subject in our long-term plans, with a progression of skills that runs from the Early Years to Year 6. Skills are revisited in more depth and in more demanding situations as children move through school.
| Building block | Foundation Stage | Key Stage 1 | Lower Key Stage 2 | Upper Key Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movement skills | Moving in different ways; balance, climbing and control | Running, jumping, throwing and catching with growing accuracy | Combining skills in sequences and games | Refining technique for speed, power and precision |
| Games and tactics | Playing simple games and taking turns | Simple team games; attacking and defending | Modified invasion, net and striking games | Competitive games with rules, positions and tactics |
| Gymnastics and dance | Moving to music; making shapes | Linking actions; simple sequences and dances | Longer sequences with control and expression | Complex sequences and choreography, performed with quality |
| Athletics and outdoor learning | Running, jumping and climbing outdoors | Running and jumping challenges; following trails | Measuring performance; orienteering with simple maps | Personal bests; orienteering and problem solving in teams |
| Evaluating and healthy living | Talking about how bodies feel when active | Describing what went well | Comparing performances to improve | Analysing performance; understanding fitness and wellbeing |
| Swimming and water safety | Water safety awareness | Swimming lessons throughout Years 3 and 4: 25 metres on the front and on the back, a range of strokes and safe self-rescue | Continued lessons for pupils not yet secure at 25 metres; competing in house swimming galas | |
Our full PE Progression of Skills and curriculum maps are available on our PE and School Sport page.
Learning to swim
Pupils in Years 3 and 4 swim throughout the year, learning a range of strokes and how to perform safe self-rescue. Our priority is for every child to swim 25 metres on their front and on their back. Pupils who have not yet achieved this are prioritised to continue swimming lessons, so that no child leaves us unable to swim.
Our house swimming galas give pupils from across Key Stage 2 the chance to race for their house and put their skills to the test.
Beyond the lesson
Mrs Paton runs a wide range of after-school sports clubs throughout the year, giving children the chance to try new sports, develop their skills further and prepare for competition. Where we can, we help children join local community clubs.
What children achieve
Mrs Paton tracks how securely children have learned the skills in each unit, so that we can plan the next steps for every class and every child.
Competing for our school
We enter a wide range of local competitions and regularly represent the Bassetlaw area in events such as:
- Cross country
- Orienteering
- and many more
- National Dance finalsOur Dance club competed in the National finals in Oxford in 2025-26.
- National Girls Football finalOur girls' football team reached the national final.
- Pop Lacrosse finalsOur team reached the national Pop Lacrosse finals.
Leading others
Pupils play a vital part in sport across the school. Children are selected for leadership roles, which form part of our pupil roles of responsibility.
- Play LeadersOrganise and lead games at playtimes, so that every child has the chance to be active.
- Sports LeadersHelp run sports activities and events, supporting younger pupils and our competitions.
More about pupil roles will be shared in our Wider Opportunities section.
The difference it makes
- 2 hoursof PE for every child, every week
- 95%of Year 6 swim 25 metres confidently (2025-26)
- PlatinumSchool Games Mark
- Nationalfinals in dance, girls' football and lacrosse
Skilful movers
Children leave able to run, jump, throw, catch, balance and swim with confidence and control.
Fair competitors and leaders
They compete with determination and respect, and many lead and support others.
A lifelong love of sport
They know how to stay healthy and active, and many continue their sport in local clubs.
Our PE Roadmap: Nursery to Year 6
Every child travels the same road through PE at Sparken Hill, building skills, confidence and fitness at each stop along the way.
- Foundation Stage
- Key Stage 1
- Lower Key Stage 2
- Upper Key Stage 2
- F1Nursery
Moving and exploring
- Moving in lots of different ways
- Climbing, balancing and crawling
- Moving to music and rhymes
- F2Reception
Control and coordination
- Running, hopping, jumping and skipping
- Throwing and catching large balls
- Playing simple games and taking turns
- Y1Year 1
Mastering the basics
- Balance, agility and coordination
- Sending and receiving with accuracy
- First gymnastic shapes and simple dances
- Y2Year 2
Playing together
- Simple team games: attacking and defending
- Linking movements into sequences
- Taking part in sports festivals
- Y3Year 3
Combining skills
- Modified invasion, net and striking games
- Running, jumping and throwing in athletics
- Following trails and simple maps
- Swimming lessons throughout the year
- Y4Year 4
Thinking tactically
- Using simple tactics to outwit opponents
- Longer gymnastic and dance sequences
- Comparing performances to improve
- Swimming 25 metres on the front and back, a range of strokes and safe self-rescue
- Y5Year 5
Competing with skill
- Competitive games with rules and positions
- Orienteering and team problem solving
- Representing the school in competitions
- Racing for their house in swimming galas
- Y6Year 6
Leading and excelling
- Refining technique and chasing personal bests
- Leading others as Play Leaders and Sports Leaders
- Pupils not yet swimming 25 metres continue lessons as a priority
Destination: active for life
Children leave Sparken Hill as skilful, confident movers who compete fairly, lead others and know how to stay healthy and active.
- Every weekTwo hours of PE: one with Mrs Paton, our specialist sports teacher, and one with the class teacher.
- Every yearAfter-school clubs, sports festivals and competitions, including events for the Bassetlaw area.
- Swimming in Key Stage 2Lessons all year in Years 3 and 4, aiming for 25 metres on the front and back. Anyone not there yet keeps swimming as a priority, and house galas run across Key Stage 2.