Curriculum Aim & Intent

Aim

Our PE curriculum aims to inspire all students to enjoy, succeed, and excel in physical activity and sport. We strive to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that develops physical competence, confidence, and a lifelong love of physical activity. Through a wide range of sporting experiences, students will learn the value of teamwork, resilience, fairness, and respect. Our ambition is to promote physical, social, and emotional well-being, empowering every student to make informed choices about a healthy and active lifestyle beyond school.

Intent

  • To ensure every student is physically literate, developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take part in physical activity and sport.
  • To provide a broad and balanced PE curriculum that engages, challenges, and includes all learners, regardless of ability or background.
  • To develop students’ physical competence, tactical understanding, and fitness across a wide range of sports and activities.
  • To instil key personal values such as resilience, teamwork, leadership, and respect, which transfer beyond PE into wider school life and future opportunities.
  • To inspire a lifelong commitment to health and physical activity, equipping students with the understanding to make positive lifestyle choices.
  • To create opportunities for students to experience competitive sport, and recreational physical activity, building cultural capital and broadening horizons.

Implementation 

  • A sequenced curriculum designed to develop core physical skills in KS3, broaden experiences through a variety of sports and activities, and refine performance, tactical awareness, and leadership at KS4. 
  • Teaching underpinned by progressive skill development, ensuring students revisit and build upon prior learning. 
  • A balance of individual, team, creative, and outdoor/adventurous activities, providing opportunities for both competitive and cooperative learning. 
  • Use of assessment for learning to monitor progress, provide feedback, and guide students in setting personal goals. 
  • Opportunities for student leadership through roles such as captains, coaches, and officials to foster responsibility and confidence. 
  • A comprehensive extra-curricular programme including clubs  and school representation. 
  • Collaboration with community clubs and sports organisations to create pathways for talent beyond the school environment. 

Impact

  • Students leave school as confident, competent, and motivated individuals who value physical activity and understand its impact on health and well-being. 
  • All students make sustained progress in developing physical skills, fitness, tactical knowledge, and personal qualities. 
  • Students demonstrate positive attitudes towards teamwork, leadership, resilience, and respect, contributing to the school’s wider ethos. 
  • Increased participation rates in extra-curricular clubs and competitive sport, with pathways established for students to continue activity outside of school. 
  • Students develop the cultural capital to appreciate a diverse range of physical activities, broadening their sporting horizons. 
  • Ultimately, PE helps students to adopt and sustain an active lifestyle, supporting both physical health and mental well-being into adulthood. 

Brief Overview of Curriculum Content for Each Term

The PE curriculum from KS3 through KS5 is progressive, inclusive, and designed to cater for all students. Optional examinable courses develop both practical and theoretical understanding of sport and physical activity, while core PE ensures that every student participates in regular physical activity. High participation rates, skill development, and enjoyment remain central to the programme, with the aim of producing lifelong participants in physical activity. 

Key Stage 3 (KS3): 

At KS3, the PE curriculum is fully practical and designed to develop students’ foundational skills, understanding, and confidence across a broad range of physical activities. Lessons focus on developing technique, tactical awareness, teamwork, and fitness in a variety of sports and activities. The curriculum is progressive, ensuring that students build the core skills, knowledge, and physical literacy necessary to transition into KS4 study, whether through optional examinable courses such as OCR GCSE PE or Sports Studies, or through continued core PE. 

Key Stage 4 (KS4): 

At KS4, students have the option to study OCR GCSE PE or OCR Sports Studies, which combine both practical and theory elements. These courses allow students to develop their performance in sport while learning about anatomy, physiology, health, fitness, and tactics in a structured, examinable format. All students continue to participate in core PE, which remains a practical, inclusive programme designed to maintain high participation rates and encourage lifelong engagement in physical activity. 

Key Stage 5 (KS5): 

At KS5, students can progress to OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity, which includes both practical performance and theoretical study. Students refine their advanced skills and knowledge in areas such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, coaching, and sports injuries, preparing them for higher education or careers in sport. 

Key stage 3 Core CurriculumAutumn Term Spring Term Summer Term 
Yr 7 • Rugby 
• Trampolining 
• Table Tennis 
• Swimming  		• Basketball  
• Fitness 
• Netball 
• Football 		• Cricket 
• Athletics 
Yr 8 • Rugby
• Trampolining 
• Table Tennis 
• Swimming 		• Basketball  
• Fitness 
• Netball 
• Football 		• Cricket 
• Athletics 
Yr 9 • Rugby
• Trampolining 
• Table Tennis 
• Swimming 		• Basketball  
• Fitness 
• Netball 
• Football 
• Cricket 
• Athletics 
Key stage 4 Core CurriculumAutumn Term Spring Term Summer Term 
Yr 10 • Basketball 
• Football 
• Fitness 
• Trampolining 
• Netball 
• Table Tennis  
• Swimming 		• Dodgeball 
• Football 
• Fitness 
• Trampolining 
• Netball 
• Badminton 
• Swimming 		• Football 
• Rounders 
• Cricket 
• Swimming 
Yr 11 • Basketball
• Football 
• Fitness 
• Trampolining 
• Netball 
• Table Tennis  
• Swimming		• Dodgeball 
• Football 
• Fitness 
• Trampolining 
• Netball 
• Badminton 
• Swimming 
• Football 
• Rounders 
• Cricket 
• Swimming 
GCSE PE CurriculumAutumn Term Spring Term Summer Term 
Yr 10 Practical
• Football 
• Netball 
• Basketball  

Theory
• Skeletal
• System 
• Muscular system 
• Methods of training 
• Principles of training 		Practical
• Table Tennis 
• Trampolining  

Theory
• Movement analysis including levers, planes of movement and axis of rotation 
• Cardiovascular system 
• Respiratory system 
• Short and long-term effects of exercise 
Practical
• Athletics 
• Cricket  

Theory
• Physical activity in the UK and factors affecting participation 
• Commercialisation of sport 
• Risk assessment 
• Performance enhancing drugs 
• Characteristics of skills 
Yr 11Practical
• Swimming 
• Climbing  

Theory
• Course work-controlled assessment 		Practical
• Preparation for practical moderation 

Theory
• Metal preparation 
• Types of feedback 
• Health and wellbeing 
• Benefits of PA 
• Risks of a sedentary
• Lifestyle 
• Diet and nutrition 
Final Revision 
OCR Sport CurriculumAutumn Term Spring Term Summer Term 
Yr 10 Practical
• Football 
• Netball 
• Basketball 
• Table Tennis 
• Trampolining  

Theory
• Task 1: Practical sports logbooks 
• Task 2: Analysis of performance and Action Planning 
Practical
• Task 4: Individual Student Lead coaching sessions  

Theory
• Task 3: Planning a Coaching session 
• Risk assessment 		Theory
• Analysis of session delivery R187
• Task 1: Provision of different types of outdoor and adventurous activities in the UK
Yr 11Practical
• Orienteering  

Theory
• Equipment, clothing and safety aspects of participating in outdoor and adventurous activities
• Values, initiative and campaigns 
• Olympic and paralympic movement 
• Etiquette and sporting behaviours 
• Performance enhancing drugs 		Practical
• Orienteering  

Theory
• Plan for and be able to participate in an outdoor and adventurous activity 
• Hosting major events 
• NGBs 
• Technology in sport 		Theory
• Evaluate participation in an outdoor and adventurous activity 
• Revision 
How Our Curriculum Caters For SEND Students

Our Physical Education department is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We adapt lessons, activities, and equipment to meet individual needs, ensuring that every student can participate safely and confidently. Our staff work closely with SEND coordinators and use differentiated teaching strategies to promote skill development, physical fitness, and a positive experience in PE for all learners.

How Our Curriculum Caters For Disadvantaged Students

Southmoor Academy PE department strives to ensure that all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups, have equal access to high-quality physical education and sporting opportunities. They provide inclusive lessons, differentiated teaching, and support tailored to individual needs. Departments work to remove barriers to participation, such as cultural differences or limited prior experience, by creating safe, welcoming environments for all students. By promoting diversity, celebrating different cultures, and encouraging positive role models, PE departments aim to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and confident to engage in physical activity and develop lifelong healthy habits.