Lower School Physical Education
Key Stage 2 Curriculum
PE and Games are an important part of life at our Lower School. For the Key Stage 2 curriculum we encourage all children to take a full part in physical activity and aim to realise the full potential of every child, regardless of ability.
The emphasis is on enjoyment, skills development and teamwork. There are regular inter-house sporting competitions throughout the year where the children compete in a range of sports to win the House Cup.
The children have access to a varied programme of PE, taught by specialist PE teachers and coaches from our Senior School. Much of the PE takes place in our Lower School gym, but we also have shared use with our Senior School of a 25m indoor heated swimming pool, sports hall, tennis and netball courts, a multi-use games area and a large sports field.
From their very first days at OLA, children are taught how to swim and have Gymnastics and Dance lessons. They also learn the skills they will need for games such as hockey, netball, football, cricket, tennis and rounders. Children in Year 6 also take part in outdoor and adventure activities on their annual residential to Wales.
Co-Curricular Sports Clubs
To complement the curriculum, sports clubs take place before school, at lunchtimes and after school. Many of the clubs are non-selective and open to children of all abilities, but children who show potential are selected for squad practice and early morning swimming.
Children are selected to play in a variety of fixtures against other independent schools and local primary schools.
The sporting highlight of the year is Sports Day when children compete for the House Athletics Cup.
Lower School PE Stories
Lower School Virtual Sports Day
Our first ever Virtual Sports Day was a major success. Thank you, weather! So many entrants to events, so many, many pictures to look at as we admired all of the effort and commitment. So much in fact I am going to have to ask you to read the next newsletter to read the full report along with the all-important House result.
We started the day with our Zoom call to get everyone organised. The wonderful House Captains and Vice Captains gave a great pep talk to their Houses ready for the Sports Day action.
Lots of people started with the Marathon challenge due to the hot weather. The children in school went to Barton Field in the morning to complete their running tasks and went back in the afternoon to hide under the trees for shade.
Many of our competitors at home finished the day in their paddling pools and we even had to run in the sprinklers at school to cool everyone down.
Thank you to everyone who took part and to everyone who encouraged our young sports people. what a great result!