PE and Sport

Physical Activity

Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives. Gross and fine motor experiences develop incrementally throughout early childhood, starting with sensory explorations and the development of a child’s strength, co-ordination and positional awareness through tummy time, crawling and play movement with both objects and adults. 

By creating games and providing opportunities for play both indoors and outdoors, adults support children to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Children have access to two PE (Physical Education) sessions per week and twice daily access to our field and playground to socialise and engage in physical activity.

Coordination and muscle development

In addition to gross motor development involving large movements such as climbing, running, dancing etc, our curriculum also develops fine motor skills. This involves small muscles working with the brain and nervous system to control movements in areas such as the hands, fingers, lips, tongue and eyes. 

Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy. Repeated and varied opportunities to explore and play with small world activities, puzzles, arts and crafts and the practice of using small tools, with feedback and support from adults, allow children to develop proficiency, control and confidence.  

Fine motor skills, combined with hand to eye coordination are essential for sports.

Range of opportunities

As children get older they learn a range of sports including hockey, football, basketball, netball, tennis, cricket and rounders. Children also have swimming, gymnastics, dance and athletic lessons and take part in a range of competitive games. We take all our children to outdoor centres where they can engage in challenging outdoor adventurous activities. 

All of our pupils in year 5 and 6 are given the oppoprunity to go on a residential visit. This is usually at one of Essex Outdoors many purpose built sites. These include Mearsea, Danbury and Bradwell. The sites offer outdoor adventurous activities including bush-craft, kayaking, climbing, caving and orienteering. Mersea also offers the children an opportunity to camp outdoors under canvas as well as additional activities such as high ropes, low ropes, team challenges, climbing and pedal karts. 

Outdoor Learning

We are delighted that Outdoor Learning is now part of our physical education programme. It is a long-term programme that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Ardleigh Primary Academy has its own dedicated woodland area onsite at the school and outdoor learning is a welcome and valuable addition to our core educational offer.

You can read our latest Sport Premium Report below.