At Farsley Springbank Primary School, Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of our whole school community. We believe every child should leave Springbank with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead an active, healthy and fulfilling life.
Through PE, we develop physical competence, teamwork, character and a lifelong love of movement. Our curriculum encourages independence, helping children take responsibility for their learning, set goals and reflect on their progress. We nurture determination, teaching that success comes from effort, perseverance and courage and that mistakes are powerful opportunities to grow. By fostering curiosity, we inspire children to explore a wide range of activities, discover their strengths and understand the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. We promote risk-taking by creating safe spaces for pupils to step beyond their comfort zones, try new things and build confidence through challenge. PE also strengthens collaboration, helping children learn empathy, communication and teamwork while celebrating the achievements of others. At the heart of everything we do is respect – for ourselves, our peers, our opponents and the spirit of fair play.
Through these values, PE at Springbank nurtures children who are not only active and healthy but also Courageous, Kind and Curious learners – ready to take on challenges, support others and make a positive difference in the world. As Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” At Springbank, we celebrate this mindset, helping every child see that with perseverance, effort and self-belief, they can achieve anything.
Implementation
We bring our PE vision to life through an active, inclusive and inspiring curriculum that encourages every child to move, grow and succeed. PE is not confined to two timetabled hours a week — it lives within our daily routines and our wider school culture. We have an active learning ethos across all subjects, where lessons are designed to get children up, moving and engaged in their learning.
Our PE lessons follow the AfPE scheme of work for Primary Schools, ensuring high-quality, well-sequenced planning written by PE specialists. Skills are developed progressively from EYFS to Year 6, allowing children to build confidence and apply what they learn in a variety of sport-specific and creative contexts. We also use a tailored gymnastics and dance curriculum through iMoves, giving pupils opportunities to develop control, balance, coordination and expression through movement.
Through these experiences, pupils grow in independence — learning to take ownership of their progress, reflect on their strengths and set personal goals. Determination is built as children face challenges in lessons, competitions and performances, understanding that effort and perseverance lead to improvement. We nurture curiosity by exposing pupils to a wide range of physical activities, games and sports that encourage exploration, problem-solving and discovery. We encourage risk-taking by creating safe spaces for children to try new skills, take on leadership roles and push themselves beyond what they think is possible. Our collaboration driver runs through everything we do — from working together in teams, to supporting peers, to organising and leading events. Respect underpins all aspects of PESSPA at Springbank: respect for ourselves, for others, for our environment and for the values of fair play and honesty that sport represents.
Children are given a wealth of opportunities to participate and compete. We attend weekly sporting events, take part in regular inter-school competitions with local primaries, and hold half-termly intra-school tournaments where pupils can celebrate progress, teamwork and sportsmanship. Our partnerships with the West Leeds Sports Partnership and Well School Partnership ensure that all pupils — including those with SEND — have access to inclusive, engaging opportunities such as ‘Come and Try’ events and non-competitive festivals focused on personal challenge. These partnerships also enable us to extend and challenge our more advanced pupils, while providing staff with professional development and support.
Beyond the curriculum, sport and physical activity thrive at Springbank. Our dedicated staff offer a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and events. As pupils move through school, they are encouraged to take on greater responsibility, culminating in the highly respected Sport Leader role in Year 6. Working with staff, the school council and peers, Sport Leaders plan and deliver active lunchtime sessions and help with running sports day and our annual fun-run.
Every pupil in Year 5 completes a full year of intensive swimming lessons, building essential water safety and confidence. Our focus on perseverance and personal progress encourages children to push themselves in the pool, often inspiring many to continue swimming lessons outside of school. This growing confidence and enthusiasm have led to increased participation in local Leeds Well Schools swimming galas, where pupils proudly represent Farsley Springbank and celebrate their achievements in a supportive, competitive environment.
At Farsley Springbank, PE is more than just a subject — it is a celebration of movement, growth and character. Through independence, determination, curiosity, risk-taking, collaboration and respect, our children become Courageous, Kind and Curious learners who understand the importance of caring for themselves, their community and the world around them.