• At Old Earth we aim to and are proud to provide all our children with 2 hours of high-quality PE and an extensive range of extra-curricular activities; many of these leading to local and regional competitions.

• We have a well-developed site to promote active learning: with an eco-friendly Multi Use Games Area (MUGA); a state-of-the-art hall and dance studio; a climbing Roktagon and clamberstack; and an all-weather field encircled by a four-lane polymeric running track.

• Since its inception, PE and Sport Premium funding has been used to employ experts to upskill our teaching staff, enabling us to provide ongoing excellence in PE. These funds have also been used to further develop our school grounds, providing more all-year usable spaces for PE and sport, and purchase additional resources to increase the number of sports within school.

• As part of our commitment to make every child active, we provide an extensive and inclusive range of clubs, some of which target less active pupils, reluctant physical learners and children who are pupil premium.

• 1-k-a-day is timetabled and all our children are encouraged to improve their fitness levels, general health and well-being.

• We have trained our Year 5 & 6 pupils to be Playmakers who lead organised activities at break times.

• We have formed close community links with several sports clubs and organisations to provide all our children, including those with Special Educational Needs and those who are Gifted and Talented, with pathways to further their physical development.

Our excellence in PE has been recognised by the national School Games initiative, being the first primary school in Calderdale to achieve Gold standard.

Our PE curriculum is supported by the ‘Get Set for PE’ resource.

Physical development is one of the three prime areas within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Regular PE lessons are just one of the ways that contribute to our children’s development. The introduction to PE, the sessions of developing the fundamental skills, Dance, Gym, Ball skills and Games contribute our children’s development of their Gross Motor Skills. They learn to negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others, demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing; move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing and develop their Fine Motor Skills

In Key Stage 1 we offer a broad curriculum which allows children to develop their fundamental movement skills and increase confidence in balance, agility and coordination. Children participate in a range of competitive and cooperative sports including dance and gymnastics, multi-skills, throwing and catching and invasion games.

In Key Stage 2 children develop skills in gymnastics and dance, net and wall games, invasion sports, striking and fielding, outdoor and adventurous activities and athletics. All children in Year 4 and 5 participate in swimming each year at Brighouse Swimming Pool, where they learn the essential skills required to become a confident swimmer and to understand water safety. We aim for all children to achieve their National Curriculum Swimming Award. We continue to develop CPD for teaching staff to ensure high quality provision is delivered. We work with a number of local specialist coaches to ensure that staff skills, knowledge and understanding are constantly improving.

Children have many opportunities to attend competitive sporting events and tournaments outside of school lessons. We have an excellent relationship with the Calderdale School Games Programme which provides children the opportunity to represent the school in our local area.