"Physically educated persons are those who have learned to arrange their lives in such a way that the habitual physical activities they freely engage in make a distinctive contribution to their wider flourishing."

James MacAllister

Physical Education

At Bowness, we believe that physical education develops children into physically confident, skillful and healthy pupils. We provide a high-quality, varied curriculum that develops children’s physical skills and knowledge of different sports over time. Our curriculum is specifically designed for the needs of our pupils and ensures children are physically active for a sustained period of time. It exposes them to vocabulary associated with health, fitness and sports science.

Our PE curriculum supports pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sports and other physical activities inside the school and in the local community. We aim to provide all children with opportunities to represent Bowness in extra curriculum activities, promoting healthy competition and values such as teamwork and fairness.

Children collaborate with their peers, developing them into respectful and resilient sports people who set themselves aspirational challenges.  We know that if children are exposed to a high-quality physical education curriculum it will enable children to succeed and continue to have a physically active life.

1. Children will become physically confident in a way that supports their health and fitness to develop a lifelong love of sports and physical exercise. 
2. Children will become competitors in sport and other physically demanding activities, they will build character, resilience and develop values such as fairness and respect. 
3. Children will have a sound understanding of different sports, their origins, including British and worldwide inspirational athletes and role models. 
4. Children will compete, perform and participate in a wide variety of activities covering invasion, racket, striking and fielding, dance, swimming and athletics. 
5. Children will have a greater knowledge of the potential career opportunities available to them, broaden their horizons and gain an understanding that jobs and careers are not bound by social mobility or gender stereotypes. 

Characteristics of an Athlete 

• The ability to acquire new knowledge and skills exceptionally well and develop an in-depth understanding of PE.
• The willingness to practise skills in a wide range of different activities and situations, alone, in small groups and in teams and to apply these skills in chosen activities to achieve exceptionally high levels of performance.
• High levels of physical fitness.
• A healthy lifestyle, achieved by eating sensibly, avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol and exercising regularly.
• The ability to remain physically active for sustained periods of time and an understanding of the importance of this in promoting long-term health and well-being. 
• The ability to take the initiative and become excellent young leaders, organising and officiating, and evaluating what needs to be done to improve, and motivating and instill excellent sporting attitudes in others. 
• Exceptional levels of originality, imagination and creativity in their techniques, tactics and choreography, knowledge of how to improve their own and others’ performance and the ability to work independently for extended periods of time without the need of guidance or support.
• A keen interest in PE. A willingness to participate eagerly in every lesson, highly positive attitudes and the ability to make informed choices about engaging fully in extra-curricular sport.
• The ability to swim at least 25 metres before the end of Year 6 and knowledge of how to remain safe in and around water. 

Aspirations for the Future 

Pupils develop an understanding of how subjects and specific skills are linked to future jobs. Here are some of the jobs you could aspire to do in the future as an Athlete. :

• Physiotherapist
• Coach
• Rock climbing instructor
• Kit manager