PE

The principle aim of the Physical Education Department is to support and challenge every pupil to achieve their sporting potential. We believe sport and PE have the ability to challenge, shape and develop core values and behaviours that are essential in developing a well-rounded pupil. 

The key principles of our approach are: 

• Deliver high quality teaching and support pupils’ drive to learn. 
• Incorporate physical literacy as central to all teaching and learning in PE. 
• Provide a broad and varied programme of opportunities at a range of levels. 
• Expect and encourage a supportive and positive culture of trying hard and doing your best. 
• Strive for and encourage excellence in all areas of PE and Games. 

Physical Education at St Albans School focuses on developing four key development strands throughout the pupil journey. The aim is to nurture the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each pupil as defined in the following aims: 

Physical
Pupils are supported to enhance and develop their movement skills and athleticism to give them the tools to be healthy, fit and capable to perform in sport to the best of their ability. 

Psychological/Mental
Pupils are challenged to develop the mental skills needed to be a successful learner and performer in the classroom and in the sporting arena. 

Social
Pupils are supported to develop positive relationships, to be empathetic, to be positive role models and to relate to one another through sport and physical activity. 

Cognitive/Problem solving
Pupils are encouraged to think and solve problems whilst raising their self-awareness, confidence and competence. 

The Physical Education programme is facilitated by a single timetabled PE lesson (50 minutes) once a week in the Sports Centre for each form from First Form (Year 7) to Fifth Form (Year 11).

The programme of study looks to develop greater levels of athletic development and functional movement, as well as providing autonomy and choice as the pupils progress. Lesson planning focuses on skill development and opportunities to challenge and develop these in a practical context. It also aims to make all pupils feel more competent and increase their relatedness to physical activity as an integral part of their daily lives through School and beyond into adult life.  

Pupils can largely be attributed to three distinct groups. We allow students to categorise themselves from Fourth Form (Year 10) onwards in PE lessons and provide options in our Games and co-curricular programmes that encourage all three groups to be identified:

Performance
Those students who strive to excel and push themselves to their peak performance (whatever level that might be) are supported and encouraged through our Dedicated Athlete Scheme, athletic development focused PE sessions, mentoring, scholarship programmes and sport specific performance groups. 

Participation
A large number of our students enjoy participating in a variety of sports and playing in teams and activities across the course of the year. They are supported with sport specific training sessions, coaching and fixtures to provide them with opportunities to develop their skills, personal qualities and interests so that they can strive to perform to their best with their like-minded peers. A large proportion of our Games lessons and co-curricular sport options are focused on supporting these students.  

Engagement
Some students need support to build confidence, be more creative or explore a wider range of activity options to help them engage more fully with physical activity. The social and fun side of participating is vitally important, and we provide activities and groups that focus on providing opportunities for students to be engaged in a less pressurised, more diverse, and inclusive way. These include activities in Games and co-curricular such as Fit Fun Friday, Indoor games, Swim groups and climbing.