Intent

At Larwood School, our Physical Education curriculum is designed to be adaptive, inclusive and engaging, ensuring every pupil can participate meaningfully and experience success.

We recognise that pupils have different physical abilities, confidence levels and emotional needs. Our aim is to create a supportive environment where all pupils feel safe to take part, develop fundamental movement skills and build confidence through physical activity.

PE at Larwood focuses on developing coordination, balance, teamwork, resilience and overall wellbeing. Through a range of activities, pupils learn the importance of physical health, cooperation and perseverance.

We aim to foster positive attitudes towards physical activity and encourage pupils to develop lifelong habits that support healthy and active lifestyles.

Implementation

PE lessons at Larwood are carefully planned to meet the individual needs of pupils, with a strong focus on participation, enjoyment and skill development.

Lessons include opportunities to develop fundamental movement skills, teamwork and fitness through a range of activities such as:

• team sports
• fitness circuits
• skill-based physical challenges

A key feature of our PE provision is the flexible and responsive approach used to support pupils’ emotional regulation and engagement.

Where appropriate, pupils may be offered a choice between more physically demanding activities and calmer alternatives such as:

• yoga
• sensory walks
• mindfulness-based movement activities

These options allow pupils to participate in ways that suit their energy levels, emotional needs and confidence on a particular day. Decisions about alternative activities are made using the professional judgement of staff, ensuring that learning remains purposeful, supportive and safe.

The PE curriculum continues to evolve to meet the needs of our pupils. A key development has been the introduction of swimming lessons as part of the wider curriculum.

All pupils at the Stevenage site have the opportunity to take part in swimming for a full term. This extended exposure allows pupils to:

• build confidence in the water
• develop essential water safety skills
• learn basic swimming techniques
• overcome anxieties and build resilience

These experiences help pupils develop important life skills while encouraging a sense of achievement and personal progress.

Impact

Through our adaptive approach to PE, pupils develop confidence, resilience and an enjoyment of physical activity.

By the time pupils leave Larwood School they will:

• demonstrate improved coordination, balance and movement skills
• participate positively in team activities and cooperative games
• develop confidence in physical activity and sport
• understand the importance of health, wellbeing and active lifestyles
• build resilience and perseverance through physical challenges

Impact is measured through:

• observation of pupils’ participation and engagement in PE lessons
• monitoring progress in physical skills and confidence
• pupil voice and reflection on physical activity
• assessment of swimming progress and water safety skills

Through Physical Education, Larwood aims to support not only physical development, but also pupils’ confidence, emotional wellbeing and social development, helping them build positive relationships with movement and healthy living.