Intent

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we strive to instill a lifelong love of sport and physical activity in our children, whether through competitive sports, dance, gymnastics, or simply enjoying staying active and healthy. We ensure that children experience a diverse range of sports and outdoor activities to develop their physical confidence, movement skills, and understanding of sporting values, all underpinned by our Christian ethos. Our dedicated staff are committed to nurturing children across different domains—physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

Implementation

Each week, children participate in a minimum of two hours of high-quality, structured physical activity. This includes PE lessons and swimming lessons, where teachers, alongside South Ribble Sports Partnership PE coaches, deliver engaging sessions that develop age-appropriate skills through carefully planned lessons with clear learning objectives and subject-specific vocabulary. Our curriculum is delivered using ‘quality first teaching’ methodologies, supported by the ‘Mypepassport’ app.

To enrich our provision and ensure inclusivity, we offer a range of outdoor learning opportunities, including residential trips in Years 5 and 6. These experiences allow children to develop water skills through canoeing and kayaking while trying new activities such as archery, fencing, and aerial climbing. As part of our health and well-being programme, all Key Stage 2 pupils visit Rock and River, where they take part in team-building exercises like rock climbing and raft building. Children also have opportunities to experience a variety of sports, including orienteering, gymnastics, dance, and yoga, providing them with rich individual and team-based experiences that enhance their learning and knowledge.

Our curriculum encourages children to make informed choices about leading a healthy lifestyle, linking closely with Science to explore topics such as health and fitness, the human body, nutrition, hygiene, exercise, and mental well-being. We collaborate with external partners, including the South Ribble Sports Partnership to provide expert-led sessions that inspire and engage our pupils.

Extra-curricular activities play a significant role in our sporting provision at Leyland Methodist Schools. A wide range of after-school clubs offers children the chance to try new sports in a safe and supportive environment. Through swimming galas, school sports teams, and dance competitions, pupils have opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions at various levels, catering for a range of abilities. Our aim is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to represent the school, should they wish to.

Impact

Through the breadth and depth of our curriculum, children leave Leyland Methodist Schools equipped with the knowledge and fundamental physical skills—such as throwing, catching, and jumping—necessary for a healthy and active lifestyle. As a result, we see an increasing number of children choosing to participate in extra-curricular physical activity each year, with a strong focus on encouraging less active children to engage and develop a love for movement. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to discover a sport or activity they enjoy, fostering lifelong participation in physical activity.