Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity

“The sky has no limit. Neither should you.” Usain Bolt.

What is PE?

PE is a range of physical activities and competition to support us to lead healthy and active lives.

PE at Cockton Hill Junior School:

Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity (PESSPA) are all similar in that they are all part of physical movement.

Physical Education (PE)

PE is the planned, progressive learning that takes place as children’s curriculum entitlement. Physical education develops children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively. Children develop skills to use their body effectively and efficiently, with increasing confidence.

Staff plan and deliver lessons focusing on one of these key areas: athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, outdoor adventurous activity and swimming, while acquiring an understanding of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Staff use core tasks to assess and plan learning in PE. These tasks are used at the beginning and end of a unit of work to support this and evidence progression throughout KS2.

School Sport

School Sport is the learning that takes place beyond the curriculum, such as after-school clubs and tournaments. Sport clubs and teams are run as extra-curricular activities and we are regularly involved in a wide range of sports festivals.

Active Week – Our annual Active Week always proves to be a successful week in our school calendar. Every year, pupils take part in a range of sports and activities. We have had a range of visitors support this over time. Active Week celebrates our continued focus on sport to support physical and mental health and well-being, culminating in Sports Day and whole school competitions. Pupils, staff and parents/carers give overwhelmingly positive feedback each year about these events.

Physical Activity

Physical Activity encompasses all physical movement, including active lessons in other areas of the curriculum. At CHJS, we are committed to the delivery of PESSPA and pride ourselves on the diverse opportunities available to the children.

OPAL – Cockton Hill Junior School follow the OPAL approach to break and lunch time provision. Time and resources have been heavily invested to improve play opportunities for our pupils. Competitive games and sports form part of this provision.

PE Kit

Parents are advised to remind their children to bring the appropriate PE kit to school every Monday and take it back home to wash every Friday. Children should bring a plain white T-shirt (no logos), black shorts/jogging bottoms and black plimsolls or trainers during winter months.

For details on our Sport Premium funding, please follow the link.

Here you will find our PE curriculum overview as well as unit overviews. These show the key knowledge and skills for each unit as well as key vocabulary children learn. Enrichment opportunities show how our curriculum is further enhanced.

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Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Swimming

Pupils in Y5 swim for the full academic year at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre. Pupils in Y6 may receive top up lessons dependent on assessment from Y5.

By the end of KS2, pupils are expected to:

swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres
use a range of strokes effectively [for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke]
perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2024

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2023

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2022

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2021

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2020

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2019

Swimming and Water Safety Publication 2018

Year 6

Our curriculum in action

Year 3 - OAA

In this unit of work, the children worked together to plan, share ideas and solve problems. They built on knowledge from geography and used maps and the 4 compass points to direct themselves and others around a course. They needed to show excellent teamwork to navigate a course and find their way to a certain point together. Listening to each others ideas when planning a task was key and they learned to cooperate to share roles within a group.

Year 3 - Balancing Act

In this unit of work, children worked in small groups to create a routine using 5 basic shapes. They demonstrated a change in levels during this routine using benches and gymnastics apparatus. They started to show good control when moving in and out of balances on different levels. Children worked hard to perfect a straight pencil roll with tension and a teddy bear roll. At the end of the unit, most children could perform a straight, star, tuck, straddle and pike shape jumps on and off equipment.

Year 3 – Round the Clock

Children began this unit by exploring different types of clocks and the movements they make. They then worked hard to build up a whole class dance routine to Madonna's ‘Hung Up’. The story behind the routine was waking up in the morning and getting ready to go to school. They worked hard to perform a canon – here they needed to complete a move one after another. The end result was absolutely fantastic!

Year 3 - Skittles

This unit of work focused on the skills needed to play an invasion game. The children practised throwing and catching in different ways – overarm, underarm and long passes. They then applied this to a game setting where they had to decide when was the right time to make a pass. They learnt how to use space well and keep possession of the ball.

Year 3 PE – Striking and Fielding Games: Run the Loop

In Year 3, our PE lessons have focused on the exciting topic of Striking and Fielding Games, with an emphasis on our unit titled Run the Loop. Pupils have been developing key skills such as throwing, catching, striking with control, and working as part of a team. Through fun and engaging activities, they’ve learned the importance of tactics, positioning, and communication in games like rounders and cricket-inspired challenges. Not only have the children improved their physical coordination and fitness, but they’ve also built confidence and teamwork—skills that extend far beyond the playing field! We were also lucky enough to have a weekly session with Alex who works for Durham Cricket. Here we used the skills we learned during Run the Loop to play games of cricket.

Year 3 PE – Athletics: Off, Up and Away

This term, Year 3 have taken to the track and field with great enthusiasm during their athletics unit, Off, Up and Away. Children have been developing fundamental movement skills through a range of running, jumping, and throwing activities. From sprint races to standing long jumps and target throws, the focus has been on improving technique, personal bests, and perseverance. As well as building strength, speed, and coordination, students have been learning how to set goals, encourage one another, and celebrate progress—laying a strong foundation for lifelong enjoyment of sport and physical activity.

Year 4 - Mini Tennis

In this unit of work, children enjoyed learning the rules and playing games of mini tennis. They began to join actions together which helped them to send and receive a ball with increasing accuracy. Using space well by finding and moving was a key focus. With others, children needed to decide and try out different ideas and tactics to outwit an opponent.

Year 4 – Partner Work

In this unit of work, children built on the work done during their gymnastics unit in Year 3. They worked with a partner to perform a routine involving various new skills. They had to use travelling moves to connect balances and demonstrate a change in speed during these. During jumps, they added quarter and half turns and landed on the floor from a piece of equipment. They used mirroring and matching with their partner both on the floor and apparatus.

Year 4 – Indian Delight

During this unit of work, children worked in small groups to create a dance inspired by the classical Indian dance style. Children learnt a selection of different mudras. These are specific positions of the hands and fingers which are believed to influence the flow of energy in the body and mind. They used heel turns and step slides to travel from one move to the next. The children had to listen carefully to the beat of the music and create small segments of their routine to the count of 8.

Year 4 – End Zone

During this unit of work, children built on their skills to play an invasion game using hockey sticks. The aim of the game was to pass the ball to a nominated player in the end zone of the pitch. In order to successfully play this game, children needed to learn how to correctly hold a hockey stick. They needed to join together the move, receive and shoot actions and to be accurate when passing to a team mate. They also needed to keep possession of the ball by shielding, passing and moving.

Year 4 PE – Striking and Fielding Games: Zone Cricket

Year 4 have been exploring Striking and Fielding Games through an exciting unit called Zone Cricket. Pupils have developed their batting, bowling, and fielding skills while learning the rules and strategies of modified cricket games. The focus has been on teamwork, spatial awareness, and decision-making, as children worked together to outscore their opponents and defend their zones. The lessons have not only improved physical fitness and coordination but also encouraged collaboration, resilience, and a love of active play. We were also lucky enough to have a weekly session with Alex who works for Durham Cricket. Here we used the skills we were practising during Zone Cricket to play games.

Year 4 PE – Athletics: Faster, Higher, Further

This term in PE, Year 4 have been striving to go Faster, Higher, Further in their exciting athletics unit. Pupils have been building on key running, jumping, and throwing skills, with a focus on improving technique, control, and overall performance. From relay races to high jumps and javelin-style throws, children have explored how to push their limits and achieve personal bests. Alongside physical development, the unit has promoted goal setting, determination, and supportive teamwork—helping pupils to grow in both confidence and sporting spirit.

Year 5 - What a racket!

In this unit, children built on the mini tennis topic they covered in Year 4. They worked on the key skills needed to play a game of tennis effectively - serving, returning both forehand and backhand and to volley. After learning the correct body positions for each shot, the children then explored different ways of positioning themselves on the court. They worked in small teams and pairs to think about which formation worked best.

Year 5 – Acrobatic Gym

During this topic, children worked with a partner to further develop their gymnastic skills. They performed balances showing good body tension. They developed control in taking some of their partner’s weight in a counter balance (pushing against) and a counter tension (pulling away from). They also developed a cartwheeling action beginning by keeping knees tucked in and placing one hand then the other on the floor.

Year 5 – What’s so funny?

During this unit of work, children worked in groups to create a dance Bjork's, ‘It’s all so quiet’. The routine is set in a toy shop at night when all the toys start to come alive! One section of the dance involves a comedy boxing match. To prepare for this, the children watched some Charlie Chaplin mime videos and learnt that, with exaggerated facial expression and body movements, they could create a very effective section without sound!

Year 5 – Calling the shots

This unit of work involves children setting up and playing a 4v4 invasion game using hockey sticks. This builds on the skills learnt in Year 4 when they began to hold and use a hockey stick correctly. Children needed to pass, control and play a shot with accuracy and fluency whilst on the move. They started to develop their defending skills by shadowing their opposing player.

Year 5 PE – Striking and Fielding Games: Runners

Building on skills learned in Year 3 and 4, Year 5 have been taking on the dynamic unit Runners, as part of their focus on Striking and Fielding Games. Pupils have been refining their skills in striking, fielding, and tactical movement, with an emphasis on speed, teamwork, and smart decision-making. Through fast-paced, game-based activities, students learned how to work both individually and collaboratively to outwit opponents and maximise scoring opportunities. The unit has helped build agility, coordination, and resilience, all while keeping lessons active, engaging, and full of energy!

Year 5 PE – Athletics: Three Jump Challenge

In this unit, Year 5 have tackled the energetic and skill-focused athletics topic Three Jump Challenge. Pupils have been working on developing power, balance, and coordination through a series of jumping activities, including the hop, step, and jump combination. The focus has been on refining technique, improving distance, and understanding how to generate momentum through movement. Alongside the physical challenges, students have learned to set personal goals, support one another, and reflect on their own progress—fostering resilience and a positive attitude towards improvement and healthy competition.

Year 6 - Group dynamics

In this unit, children worked with Meg from Go Well to complete a gymnastics block. The children worked in groups of four to six to create and perform a sequence that showed their knowledge of gymnastic actions and compositional principles. The children developed their sequence on floor and mats before adapting it to incorporate apparatus. Their sequence included eight varied actions, pair balances and a simple group balance, reflecting the different ways a group can work together

Year 6 – On Target

During this unit of work, children used badminton equipment to play a net and wall game. The game is played in teams of four (two players, one umpire and one evaluator). Children learnt to play a shot with accuracy and fluency whilst on the move. They needed to send and receive a shuttlecock with a racquet with accuracy to a target, space or team mate. They developed their decision making skills as they needed to be able to quickly make decisions during the game.

Year 6 – Making the Grade

During this unit of work, children created and learnt a dance routine. The story behind the dance was a group of children during an exam and it was performed to a Pink Floyd song. Children had to demonstrate a range of dance actions – travelling, turning, gesturing, jumping and remaining still. As part of the routine, children needed to demonstrate different relationships using mirroring, unison and canon movements.

Year 6 – Tag Rugby

The tag rugby unit involves children aiming to beat the opposition by scoring more tries. The children developed their running and evading skills which helped them to escape the opposing player. They needed to use good decision making to quickly decide when to pass the ball and what route to take to try to score a try.

Year 6 PE – Striking and Fielding Games: Zone Rounders

In this unit, children have been developing their skills through Zone Rounders, as part of their Striking and Fielding Games focus. Building on previous learning, students have worked on advanced techniques in batting, bowling, and fielding, while applying tactical thinking in competitive game scenarios. The "zoned" format encouraged greater strategic awareness, communication, and teamwork, with players adapting to different roles and responsibilities on the field. This unit not only enhanced physical fitness and game understanding but also promoted leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship—key qualities as our children prepare for their transition to secondary school.

Year 6 PE – Athletics: Distance Challenge

This term in PE, Year 6 have risen to the test of endurance and determination in their athletics unit Distance Challenge. Focusing on sustained running, pacing, and stamina, pupils have explored how to manage their energy over longer distances and push their physical limits. Through activities such as timed runs, relay challenges, and goal-setting tasks, students have developed not only their cardiovascular fitness but also valuable life skills like perseverance, self-discipline, and mental focus. As they prepare for their move to secondary school, Year 6 have demonstrated maturity, motivation, and a strong team spirit in every session.

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Enrichment Opportunities

Many of our enrichment opportunities for sport are completed as after-school clubs. Please visit this page to see more information about this enrichment.

Blaze Pods Day

All children across school took part in a 'Blaze Pods' day with Nicola from Go Well. They experienced a number of challenges to test and develop memory, reaction time and strategy. Our coaches will deliver a range of exciting activities and games using the lights to test your speed.

Quidditch Day

Children across school took part in 'Quidditch' with Go Well. The game involved teamwork, throwing and catching skills and co-ordination. In teams, they worked to gain the golden ball to throw into the quidditch hoops. The game was made trickier by adding quidditch broom sticks whilst still trying to intercept the golden ball from the other team.