Physical Education

Intent: 

Our aim at St James’ CofE Primary is to create confident, independent, life-long athletes. Throughout a range of different sports and activities, the children are able to learn to work both independently, but most importantly, as part of a team, all while developing relationships and learning new skills. While children look forward to the new sports they will learn within their PE lessons, we know that there are many other benefits and experiences that can come from sport. PE teaches independence, communication and teamwork and strengthens values that can be taken forward throughout the children’s lives. Each week we focus on a “value of the week” and recognise a child who has demonstrated these important values who will be presented with the PE award, given to them in front of their peers at our weekly celebration assembly. 

Implementation: 

At St James’, every child across both key stage one and two is part of one of our four school houses – Brunel, Dickens, Ferdinand and Rhodes, all named after influential figures from the Southwark area. Throughout the year, in order to encourage healthy competition, the children will take part in events and sporting fixtures where they will compete on behalf of their house. We conclude the sporting calendar with our whole-school Sports Day events. Each house is represented by two members of Year 6, who are chosen as House Captains. These are children that have displayed all the characteristics we look for in a ‘sports leader’ throughout their time at St James’. 

Through our partnership with the LPESSN, we take part in a range of inter-school competitions, in a range of different sports, including rounders, cricket, football, athletics, netball and more. We are very proud of the success of our school teams and look forward to building on this success year on year. As part of this partnership, we are also able to utilise the PE network’s offering of specialist coaches and sports festivals to go above and beyond the regular PE we are able to offer. We also engage with other local sporting clubs and organisations, building a wide network, which allows our students to receive a high level of coaching. 

Impact: 

PE helps children develop and maintain good physical and mental health. It also has a direct correlation with improved academic achievement. PE introduces children to various physical activities and sports, encouraging them to adopt an active lifestyle. Developing healthy habits early in life can contribute to long-term well-being. At St James’, our children take part in a progressive curriculum that focusses on improving the fundamental skills that form the basis of all sports. Children will visit sports on more than one occasion, focusing on both the skills and the implementation of these skills in a competitive situation. With a large proportion of disadvantaged children, our outside partnerships allow our children to experience trips, competition and coaching that they may not otherwise have access to. Physical activity can also contribute to the development of self-esteem and confidence of children, and the successes that come with PE can be crucial to building a positive self-image. 

Our PE values:

• Respect              
• Teamwork
• Resilience  
• Inclusion   
• Sportsmanship    
• Attitude

We have well-equipped halls at both sites and extra play equipment in the playground in both schools. Nursery and Reception have a new physical active play area in their outside area.

Your child is expected to wear the school PE kit on their PE/PA days. This includes:

• A yellow t-shirt 
• Burgundy shorts/tracksuit bottoms
• A school jumper/cardigan

Other than the school emblem, all the above should be unbranded.

These are all available from our uniform suppliers https://www.shopkeepeasy.com/100829

Please also make sure suitable shoes for sport (black trainers or plimsolls) are worn.
Plimsolls are available here.

Our House Captains

Competitions and Events

Year 4 Girls Football

26 girls took part in the PE Network's Year-4 Girls football competition. 15 teams from across South East London attended the event and our girls were fantastic, with one of our teams finishing in 3rd place. 

Year 6 Girls Football

Nine girls took part in a non-competitive football event. Three other schools joined us and teams all played each other in a round-robin format that saw each school face off two times. Out of our six games, the girls were only defeated once, winning twice and drawing the other three. Highlights of the day included goals from Sofia and Angel as well as a penalty save from Karolina. But, the standout moment had to be Stefany's top corner free-kick that left players and coaches alike in total awe. 

 

 

 

Year 6 Athletics

18 of our Year 6 students took part in the PE Network's indoor athletic competition. Both boys and girls competed against four other schools in a mix of running, throwing and jumping events. Our athletes did well in the field events, but it was the track where they were really able to shine. Out of the 14 running events, St James' were victorious in 12, coming second and third in the other two. This meant that both the girls and boys finished as winners of their competitions and that overall, St James' came away as champions. The team now progress to the finals where they will take on the winners from the other heat.

Run St James' Run

This year we took part in the Canada Water Charity Event: Run Kids Run. On October 15th 113 children from right across the school took part in a charity run where they competed in a 2K race around Southwark running track. The children have also been fundraising to raise money for new green projects here at school and so far have raised an incredible £1798! A big well done to all those who took part! Photos of the day can be found here.

Sports for Schools

This November, every member of KS2 took part in a charity HIIT exercise session with former Commonwealth gymnast Courtney Orange. The children completed a series of different exercises followed by a motivational assembly from Courtney all about the power of four words... I CAN DO IT! The children have raised an incredible amount of money which goes towards funding for young athletes around the country as well as new sports equipment for school. 

 

 

 

 

Year 4 Athletics

14 of our Year 4 students took part in the PE Network's indoor athletics competition. For many, this was the first time they had represented the school and were up against nine other schools from the area in a range of running, throwing and jumping events. After a fantastic performance from all our children, our girls' team finished in second place and our boys finished in first, which meant overall we finished as the overall champions. Well done to all those involved! 

Year 4 Golf Afternoon

As part of the Golf Foundation's Unleash Your Drive Initiative, Year 4 were lucky enough to have a professional golf coach visit us and teach us about the game. The children took part in a variety of games and challenges, and we have been invited to attend a golf festival later in the year. All the photos of our afternoon can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

Year 4 and 5 Football Morning

Some of our Year 4 and 5 children were lucky enough to have a visit from coach Samuel from the PE Network, who led them in an exciting football session. The children were working on their dribbling and ball skills in a variety of games and challenges.

    

Vitality Blast Guard of Honour

Through our partnership with Surrey Cricket and their Dynamos Coaching programme, we recently had the opportunity to form the Guard of Honour at the Oval Cricket Ground before Surrey's T20 match against Somerset. A group of our senior cricketers took the field and waved their flags infront of over 20,000 spectators as the players made their way onto the pitch. 

     

Year 2 Multi-sports Morning

Our Year 2 students took a visit to Burgess Park to take part in the PE Network's multi-sports morning. They were treated to eight different activities, all led by children from a local primary school who were completing their Duke of Edinburgh award. For all the pictures from the day just click here.

 

 

 

 

 

Year 4 & 5 More Able Football Sessions

A selection of children from Year 4 and 5 received a visit from coach Samuel from the PE network to take them through their paces in some football sessions. The children worked on their dribbling, ball control and one v ones in a range of fun and fast-paced games.

'Sports Inspired' Multi-sports day

Through our partnership with the Sports Inspired Charity, our Year 3 children took a trip to the Castle Centre to take part in an incredibly fun day of sport. They got the chance to try out a number of different sports that we don't cover here at school, including; volleyball, wallball, Judo and kickboxing, as well as dance and netball. 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 5 Dance Workshop

Our Year 5 girls took part in a fantastic dance workshop with the PE network, where they had to put their imagination, teamwork and choreography skills to the test. They worked in groups to create their own routine based around the different sports that will feature at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. 

 

 

 

Year 6 Capoeira Workshop

As part of our pledge to provide girls with more opportunities in sport and our partnership with the PE Network, our Year 6 girls were able to take part in a Capoeira workshop. They were put through their paces, learning all about agility, balance and movement.

 

 

 

 

Senior Football Team

As always, this year we entered into the PE Nertworks Southwark football league. This year, however, due to the number of superb Year 6 players at our disposal, for the first time ever, we entered two teams - St James Athletic and St James United. Both teams competed in their respective leagues and had very good seasons. St James United finished 6th and St James Athletic managed to finish 2nd in their league, which meant they progressed into the end of season finals. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, as we fell short, losing on penalties in the quarter-finals. Both teams should be very proud of themselves along with a few individuals who made it onto the all-time top scorers list for the school: Isaiah is now second with 27 goals, Harry third with 18 and Sophia and Stefany sit fifth and seventh respectively. Well done on a fantastic season!

 

Year 1 multi-skills morning

Year one were joined by Coach George from the PE Network to work on a range of tasks focusing on improving their agility, balance and coordination. The children were challenged to work both individually but also as part of a team in some head-to-head competitive drills.

 

 

 

 

Year 5 Sports Leaders Training

22 members of Year 5 took part in an interactive afternoon with Coach George as he took them through their sports leaders training. The children learnt some new games and worked to challenge, improve and differentiate the games in their groups. The aim is that they will be able to work with some younger members of our school to re-teach these games in their lunch times. 

 

 

 

 

Aquarius Golf Trip

Members of Year 4 were treated to a trip to Aquarius Golf Course to take part in an afternoon of competitive golf games. The children practised their putting and driving and, after four rounds, went away as the day's champions. The children were also lucky enough to meet the Mayor of Southwark, who came down to watch the action. 

 

 

 

'Sports Inspired' Multi-sports day

Through our partnership with the Sports Inspired Charity, our Year 4 children took a trip to the Castle Centre to take part in an incredibly fun day of sport. They got the chance to try out a number of different sports that we don't cover here at school, including; volleyball, wallball, Judo and kickboxing, as well as dance and netball. We competed against three other schools in each event and after all the points had been totalled, one of our teams, 'The Fierce Lions' came out on top as the overall champions! 

Sports Day 2024

The culmination of our sporting calendar saw another fantastic day spent at Southwark Running Track. KS1 started the day off full of zest and energy, taking part in their circuit of activities and races led by our Year 6 house captains who did a brilliant job at cheering on their teams. At the halfway point, Ferdinand had a commanding lead, but it was still all to play for in the afternoon when KS2 took to the field. As the sun shone down and the music played, the children gave it their all to earn points for their respective houses, and it all came down to the last few races. After a very competitive day, the scores were in, and it was Brunel who were once again crowned sports day champions. For all the photos from the day just click here.

Final scores:

Brunel - 1078 points

Ferdinand - 1056 points

Rhodes - 1028 points

Dickens - 983 points