What does PE look like at AHPS? (Intent)
At our school, we aim to inspire a love for sport and physical activity in every child. We want them to enjoy the lifelong benefits of being active, from building friendships and teamwork to improving their health and enriching their social lives. By encouraging children to try a variety of activities, we open the door for each of them to discover the sports and physical pursuits they truly love.
We also focus on helping pupils understand the importance of safety, including building confidence in the water with essential swimming skills that could one day save a life. Through collaborative activities, children learn to communicate effectively, express themselves clearly, and develop the relationships and vocabulary they need to thrive.
Physical Education is about so much more than just staying active – it’s about helping every child grow. For some, it’s the chance to shine in ways they may not have discovered elsewhere. For all, it’s an opportunity to step outside the classroom, explore their potential, and develop into confident, well-rounded individuals.
How do we do this? (Implementation)
At Avanti House Primary, we are passionate about nurturing a love for physical activity and well-being in every child. Each week, our pupils enjoy an hour of P.E. as well as a calming 30-minute yoga session led by our qualified yoga teacher. Through a blend of competitive and non-competitive activities, we aim to instill a lifelong appreciation for staying active. Over the years, we introduce children to a variety of sports, including badminton, tennis, tag rugby, and football, and we proudly participate in inter-school events to encourage healthy competition and community spirit.
To promote daily activity, we encourage every child to take part in the Daily Mile and incorporate active learning within classroom lessons. This helps our pupils stay active while boosting their focus and energy throughout the school day.
Our P.E. provision is supported by Complete PE, a resource that provides high-quality lesson plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. Our teachers adapt lessons thoughtfully and are continually supported in developing their expertise through professional training, both in-house and from external specialists.
We are proud to be part of the Harrow Sports Partnership, giving our pupils the chance to compete with other local schools and take part in exciting community events. Additionally, our long-term sports plan connects children to local opportunities, including competitive events, so they can broaden their experiences beyond the classroom.
Children in Years 5 and 6 enjoy swimming lessons as part of the curriculum, helping them develop confidence and vital water safety skills. They also have the chance to visit The Vedanta, where they can take part in adventurous outdoor activities that build resilience, teamwork, and a sense of adventure.
At Avanti House Primary, we believe that physical education is about more than fitness – it’s about building character, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.
What difference does it make? (Impact)
The implementation of initiatives such as the Daily Mile and increased opportunities for competitive sports competitions has significantly raised the profile of Physical Education, School Sport, and Physical Activity (PESSPA) across our school. These initiatives have become vital tools for whole school improvement, promoting physical health, enhancing student engagement, and fostering a positive school culture.
The Daily Mile encourages regular physical activity, boosting students’ concentration and readiness to learn. Additionally, competitive sports competitions cultivate teamwork, resilience, and school spirit, contributing to an inclusive and vibrant school environment.
PE Lead with CLT to work on increasing the number of pupils taking part in 2024-2025 through the links with HSSP as well as more local schools.
More pupils are keen and asking about further opportunities to get involved across the school.
The school will continue to invest in an external coach to support some teachers to further enhance their CPD in PE lessons to have a greater impact in the pupils learning. As a result, PESSPA is now a cornerstone of our holistic approach to education, supporting the physical, mental, and social development of our pupils.
We have also achieved the Bronze Award in both the Youth Sports Trust and Schools Games Mark (Harrow) to show the improvement in PESSPA across the school this academic year.
The PE Subject Lead takes feedback from pupils’ surveys and discussions, and planning is reviewed periodically to ensure we are still making progress in meeting our curriculum intent.
Children will be able to clearly articulate how to maintain healthy and active lifestyles and will be able to participate in a range of sporting activities with confidence. Children can apply skills learnt through extra-curricular activities as well as inter-school competition through the Harrow Schools Sports Partnership and inter-house activities/competitions within school as well.
Our school is a member of the Youth Sport Trust and below is a link to the wonderful resources they have available for the whole family:
How to support your child at home
https://www.youthsporttrust.org/join-us/family-hub
The link below has a range of activities to try at home:
https://www.youthsporttrust.org/resources/physical-challenges-for-kids/primary-pe-activities
Useful Links:
NHS Change For Life: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/food-facts/
Action on Sugar: https://www.actiononsugar.org/sugar-and-health/sugars-and-tooth-decay/
Take care of your teeth and gums: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/take-care-of-your-teeth-and-gums/
Children’s Mental Health: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/
Thank you for your support in encouraging an active and healthy school community!
Further Information
AHPS PE Curriculum Map & Progression of Skills 2024-2025
AHPS PE Intent, Implementation, Impact Document
Swimming
Our pupils take part in swimming sessions in Year 5 Spring and Summer terms and Year 6 Autumn term.
48% of our Year 6 pupils (2023-24) were able to swim the appropriate distance with a range of strokes for Key Stage 2. Self-rescue also formed part of their programme.
48% of Year 6 pupils (2023-24) were able to swim the appropriate distance with a range of strokes for Key Stage 2. Self-rescue also formed part of their programme.
Awards and Achievements
AvantiHousePrimarySchool-certificate
Mark-certificates-2023-24_Bronze
Sports Competitions
In 2023-2024, we were proud that the largest number of our pupils were able to take part in inter-school competitions as part of our involvement in the HSSP (Harrow Schools Sports Partnership).
Pupils took part in the following:
– Year 6 Girls and Boys Football Tournament
– Year 5/6 Boys and Girls Cricket Competitions
– Year 4/5 Girls Football (Barclays #LetGirlsPlay in March 2024)
– Year 2 MultiSkills Event
– Years 5/6 QuadKids Competition
– Year 5 Athletics Competition
Intra-House Activities/Competitions
We have started monthly intra-house sporting activities/competitions where pupils from the same year group compete against each other in various activities at lunchtime to gain house points – we are flaming the competitive spirit in a fun, respectful and friendly way!
Year 4 took part in some indoor relay races and hurdle races during lunchtime:
Year 2 took part in some balancing activities:
The Daily Mile
We are excited that the school is implementing aspects of The Daily Mile to encourage more physical activity and promote healthier lifestyles among our pupils. As part of this initiative, students will have the opportunity to engage in physical activity during the “soft start” period at the beginning of the school day. This will allow them to kick off their mornings with some light exercise, helping to boost concentration and overall wellbeing.
In addition, we are encouraging all pupils to take part in The Daily Mile during their break times. The aim is to create a fun, enjoyable experience where students can stay active, enhance their fitness levels, and socialise in a healthy way.
By embracing The Daily Mile, we hope to nurture the physical and mental health of our students, making regular activity an integral part of their daily routine.
There is more information for families on: https://thedailymile.co.uk/families/.
Fit4Life Harrow Charter
A Fit4Life Harrow Charter has been produced by London Borough of Harrow, the Public Health Team and Harrow Education Partnership Teams. The charter is a commitment from all Harrow schools to improve the health outcomes of its pupils.
As a parent/carer of a Harrow pupil, you should support your child by:
- Reducing the amount of sugary foods and drinks
- Providing healthy snacks at the end of the school day
- Exercise with children outside of school for at least 30 minutes a day – this could be as simple as a walk to and from school
- Sign-up and regularly attend an NHS Dentist and ensure your child brushes their teeth at least twice a day
- Ensure your children are up-to-date with vaccinations
- Talk to your children each day about how they are feeling and how their day went.
Health and fitness must be a priority to help improve young children’s life chances. Thank you for your support and cooperation.