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.
LPESSN End of Year Awards
Last year we were shortlisted for six awards at the PE Network's annual awards evening:
Team of the year: Year 5&6 Athletics Team
Girls Sports Provision of the year
Primary Female Athlete of the year: Lulu
Headteacher of the year: Mr Oliver
PE Coordinator of the year: Mr Brenta
School of the year
Both Mr Brenta and Mr Oliver, along with a group of our Year 5&6 athletes, attended the awards that took place at Bacons College at the end of the year. While we didn't win all six that we were shortlisted for, we did do incredibly well to win Girls Sports Provision, PE Coordinator of the year and the big one, School of the year! Below is what the PE Network said about us for each of our nominations:
PE Coordinator:
This person shows just how important PE & school sports are for all pupils at their school. The support they offer to all pupils goes above and beyond what is required. This year’s winner has made sure that every pupil is able to access high-quality lessons and after-school clubs on a weekly basis, as well as ensuring they have the best opportunities to compete for their school around the borough. This person is an excellent role model. They have ensured that their school is able to compete at the highest level while also placing their pupils' overall development at the forefront.
Girls Sports Provision:
This year's winning school is the true meaning of equal access. Inclusivity and participation of all girls is at the heart of everything they offer as a school. Through the leadership of their PE coordinator and senior leadership team, they have ensured that all girls in their school have a feeling of belonging. The network has and continues to work with several of the girls at this school, both in school and as part of our Southwark Jaguars girls football team. It is through the work being done in school that these girls enjoy being physically active.
School of the year:
This year's winning school places PE & Sport at the heart of their school, ensuring that it runs alongside the academic progress of every pupil. The school offers a fully comprehensive curriculum that caters for all needs at the school. The senior leadership team work very closely with their PE lead to ensure that they are fully supported and are always willing to offer something new to their pupils, whether that be with the PE network or other local organisations. As this year has gone on, it is clear to see the significant improvements that all pupils have made both physically and mentally. This couldn't be achieved without the backing of all staff members at the school.
School Games Mark
We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games GOLD Mark Award for the 2024/25 academic year.
The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and in the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
Our sporting achievements this year include:
- School football team finishing 2nd in the league this season
- 135 children running 2km at Southwark running track as part of Run Kids Run and raising over £1000 in sponsorship.
- 207 children running 2 miles around the school playground to complete the London Mini Marathon, raising over £2000 in sponsorship.
- 12 members of Year 5/6 appearing as mascots for the England Women's Netball team at the Copperbox Arena.
- Continuing to build relationships and partnerships with local sports organisations including Millwall FC and England Netball.
- More opportunities for girls' sport with dedicated clubs, lessons and lunchtime offerings to encourage participation.
- Competing in, and winning the Year 5&6 Track Athletics Competition at Southwark Park Track.
- Visits to the Kia Oval
- Continuation of swimming lessons for Y5/6
- A greater offering of sports clubs including tennis, cricket, football, netball and multi-sports.
- Being shortlisted for six awards at the PE Network's End of Year Awards Evening.
With a total of over 130 young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible.
As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.
We look forward to applying once again in 2026!
Our House Captains for 2025/26
Competitions and Events
The House Cup
All year long, the children of KS2 work hard to earn house points towards the House Cup. Points can be earned in a variety of ways: wearing their school PE kits on PE days, demonstrating one of our PE character values during lessons, being awarded a certificate in our weekly celebration assembly, or completing some home learning – whether it’s about their favourite sport or a sporting hero.
We also run a range of competitions throughout the year, where children compete in their houses for additional points, with Ferdinand taking home the trophy last year.
Sports Day 2025
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, Brunel had the 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 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 Rhodes who were crowned sports-day champions for the first time in what was our closest sports day yet!
Final scores:
Rhodes - 1088 points
Ferdinand - 1079 points
Dickens - 1076 points
Brunel - 1067 points
Run St James' Run 2025
For the third year in a row, we took part in the Canada Water Charity Event: Run Kids Run. On October 5th, 136 children (beating last year's total)from right across the school took, along with plenty of parents and siblings from our school community, part in a charity run where they competed in a 2K race around Southwark running track. A big well done to all those who took part! Photos of the day can be found here.
Year 2 multi-skills morning
Year two were joined by Coach Curtis 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.
EmpowerHer Programme
Through our partnership with the PE Network, and as part of our commitment to encourage more girls to take part in sport, we are lucky enough to have Coach George working solely with our Year 2 girls every week in their PE lessons.
The programme offers a unique opportunity that nurtures self-confidence, leadership and the ability to feel comfortable while being physically active.
The programme aims to inspire young girls to embrace their individuality, recognise their potential and foster positive self-esteem.
Platform Cricket
Through our partnership with Platform Cricket, our Year 4 children are lucky enough to receive a visit from one of their professional coaches, who lead the children in six weeks of intense cricket sessions. The children work on their batting, fielding, bowling and running and have opportunities to put these skills into game situations. We will be putting our skills to the test in the summer when we attend the Bermondsey Cricket festival at Southwark Park. Platform Cricket also runs a number of after-school and holiday clubs. If you have any interest in these, please just speak to Mr Brenta.
Senior Football Teams
Our mixed Year 5&6 football team had their first outing recently, when they took part in the PE Network's 1-day tournament in Elephant and Castle. Out of 15 teams, they made it all the way to the final, where they unfortunately lost to Redriff 1-0. Click here for the full match report.
