Physical and Mental Health
In addition to PE, we take an holistic approach to children’s health and well-being. We recognize the importance physical activity plays mentally as well as in developing healthy attitudes and keeping the body in good shape. Personal resilience is a quality we recognize in our 5 R’s (and the school’s aims) and it is essential for learning and life skills that we develop positive attitudes across a number of subject areas and through a range of activities.
Physical Education gives every child, whatever their ability, gender, race or culture an equal opportunity to develop their physical competence so that they are able to move efficiency, effectively and safely, understand what they are doing and in particular to enjoy physical activity. We aim to introduce children to sports and games and help them to make choices about how to get involved in lifelong physical activity. PE provides the potential for personal development by making particular demands, which are not easily replicated in other subjects. It includes Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics, Outdoor Education and Swimming.
Marlborough’s PE activities are designed to:
- teach children to be more skilful in the ways they control their movements and develop co-ordination
- develop habits leading to a healthy and active lifestyle and promote physical fitness
- help children understand how the body responds to activity
- develop children’s confidence in applying and adapting a range of skills in a variety of settings
- foster an appreciation of the artistic and aesthetic aspects of physical activity
- contribute to children’s social and emotional development. To promote their self-confidence and self-esteem
- develop qualities such as commitment, fairness, tolerance and a concern for others as well as individual success
- develop personal and social competence and the necessary skills to manage success in competitive and co-operative situations, to cope with losing, and to retain the proper sense of perspective in competition
Exercise helps to give pupils energy in everything else they do in school. PE is thus a support for other subjects as well as being an important area in its own right. However, it is taught as a discrete subject:
- using a range of publications and resources to support planning and teaching
- building upon the prior learning of the children increasingly challenging them as they move up through the school
- giving opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in each activity area
- for on average at least two hours a week in both key stages through curricular and extra curricular delivery
- giving access to all components of the National Curriculum programme of study
- with reference to health and safety, encouraging children to consider their own safety and that of others at all times
Marlborough has a good sized and well equipped hall for teaching indoor lessons – small games, gymnastics and movement. The playgrounds are used for developing games and ball skills and there is also a field where skills in competitive games can be practised.
The school is supported by the local Sports College which means that expert trainers visit the school to work with children on a regular basis. Additionally other specialists and external providers give focused coaching both in lessons and as extra curricula activities.
From Reception until year 4, all children are taught swimming during one term of the year (in the Autumn and in Spring). These lessons take place at Penryn Junior School’s purpose built training pool. In the summer term, swimming instruction continues for those in year 5 and 6 who require further support in meeting the national swimming competency requirement.
Underpinning our provision for Outdoor and Adventurous Education we are fortunate to have the facilities and expertise of Elemental UK based close by at Swanpool Beach. Each year two juniors apply their swimming skills in water based sports lessons:
- year 3 – an introduction to a range of activities including canoeing and kayaking, coasteering and raft-building, snorkelling, team-building and water confidence activities
- year 5 – developing sailing