Our Vision for PE and Golden Threads
At Park Community Academy (PCA) our PE provision is intended to give all pupils the opportunity to develop their physical abilities through providing engaging, enjoyable, and appropriately challenging learning experiences. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the importance of having a healthy and active lifestyle. It is intended that pupils, irrespective of their innate ability, will enjoy success and be motivated to further develop their individual potential.
PE Curriculum
We believe PE, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is a unique and vital contributor to a pupil’s physical development and well-being. A broad and balanced PE curriculum is intended to provide for pupils’ increasing self confidence in their ability to manage themselves and their bodies within a variety of movement situations. Progressive learning objectives, combined with sympathetic and varied teaching approaches, endeavour to provide stimulating, enjoyable and appropriately challenging learning experiences for all pupils. Through the selection of suitably differentiated and progressive developed tasks, it is intended that pupils, irrespective of their innate ability, will enjoy success and be motivated to further develop their individual potential.
A balance of individual, paired and group activities; cooperative, collaborative and competitive situations aim to cater for the preferences, strengths and needs of every pupil. Such activities, experienced within a range of areas of activity, aim to promote a broad base of movement, knowledge, skills and understanding. They are also desirous of developing a pupil’s ability to work independently and to respond appropriately and sympathetically to others, irrespective of their age, gender, cultural or ethnic background.
The activities offered and the teaching approaches adopted seek to provide pupils with opportunities to develop their creative and expressive abilities, through improvisation and problem solving. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the importance of a heath and active lifestyle and begin to understand the factors that influence health and fitness.
We also offer a varied and wide range of extra-curricular activities which support and enhance curriculum provision. Activities include; football, rebound therapy, rock climbing dance, football for beginners, swimming, cross country, health and fitness and multi skills. The school has been awarded the afPE Mark with distinction for the second time. The award recognises the school’s commitment to providing pupils with a high quality PE and School Sport experience as well as the high quality of teaching. The school also currently holds the School Games Platinum kite mark. In 2019 the school was awarded the Lancashire Secondary School of the year for PE which was presented at the Lancashire sports awards. In 2020 the school was named Blackpool Primary School of the Year for Blackpool.
Recent developments within the PE department include delivering a BTEC Level 1 award in Sport and Active Leisure. This has enabled the school to offer a wider range of accredited courses in Key Stage 4.
Pupils in Key Stage 5 continue to have weekly curriculum sessions focusing on developing physical skills, their understanding of how they can analyse performance through experiencing a wide range of activities/sports on offer in the local community. Sports/activities on offer including rock climbing, attending a gym, football, multi-skills, leisure walks and bowling. Pupils in the Tower and Pier pathways are also completing a vocational BTEC qualification. One of the units in this qualification is focused on sport and how pupils can improve their performance.
The curriculum is designed to run alongside the School's Games Calendar and reflected the amendments to the National Curriculum for Physical Education. The school uses the Lancashire Scheme of Work which we have adapted to meet the needs of our pupils.
Dance
From cheerleading to ballroom dancing, pupils at PCA have many opportunities to showcase their talents.
Pupils in Key Stage 2 and 3 participate in weekly 'Move It Groove It' sessions designed to improve dance and co-ordination skills. This is a great way to start the day and pupils love dancing to all the latest tracks as well as the classics!
Performance opportunities include –
• Dance Festival at Blackpool Winter Gardens
• School of Dance at Blackpool Tower
• Weekly assemblies
• Ribby Hall
• KS2 Sports Day
