PE and Sport

‘Fit for Life’ through Physical Education

“We aim to develop well prepared, willing students who are actively involved in their learning with healthy attitudes making them Fit for Life.”

PE establishes a pattern of health and wellbeing which can be sustained into adult life and which will promote the health and wellbeing of the next generation. We promote:

1. Prepared and Ready students (Skilled – developing Motor Competence)
2. Active Learners (Resilient – developing Healthy participation)
3. Healthy Attitudes (Considerate – understanding Rules, Strategies, Tactics and Sportsmanship)

Skills and Knowledge 

At Key Stage 3 the students experience a broad and balanced curriculum that links into the National Curriculum for England and Wales. We want our pupils to feel confident enough to participate and take their sporting journey further.  We look to foster a love for PE so that our pupils become more engaged in their learning and can feel confident in meeting new challenges head on.

 At Key Stage 3 we study Traditional games such as: Football, Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket and Rounders. Alternative sports such as Dodgeball, Bench Ball, Gymnastics, Trampolining, Dance, Athletics, Fitness, Outdoor Education and Sport Education – all these help us to develop a Physically Literate pupil by lessons developing enjoyment, confidence, competence, understanding and knowledge

Physical Outcomes at Key Stage 3: Through PE, students will develop competence and confidence in applying techniques to a breadth of sports (Prepared and Ready). Students will also understand what makes an effective performance and will learn through physically and intellectually challenging activities (Active Learners).

Personal Outcomes at Key Stage 3: Through PE, students will develop the resilience and confidence to make informed choices and will continue to develop a growth mindset (active learners) through seizing new opportunities to learn and having a desire to succeed. Students will support others in their learning and contribute to and provide ideas (Healthy Attitudes). 

In Key Stage 4, all students continue to receive lessons of core PE. Additionally, the students can opt for one of our exam based courses. The exam courses develop the student’s understanding of how the body works, how to plan fitness programmes, the role of technology in sport and physical activity and the role of the mind in performance. The GCSE PE course also examines the social and cultural impact of PE and Sport within this country and all courses have some element of practical performance which is assessed. 

The aim of Key Stage 4 Core PE is to promote healthy attitudes that lead on to lifelong physical activity as well as continuing to embed and develop the sports related skills and personal skills that the pupils will need to succeed in life beyond John Spence.

Physical Outcomes at Key Stage 4: Through PE, students will learn to embed physical activity habits and make lifestyle choices that prepare them for further learning and life. (Healthy Attitudes). Students will continue to develop the skills previously learnt in Key Stage 3 (Skilled) and will refine and improve their performances in a wide variety of new situations.  

Personal Outcomes at Key Stage 4: Through PE, students will be self- motivated, articulate and passionate. Students will learn to manage pressure, training and their mental health in readiness for life after school where wellbeing, work readiness and pressure are daily factors (Active Learners).

Communication and Community 

PE is uniquely placed to provide a wide range of communication skills. Not only does PE use technical sporting language, it encourages students to clearly and concisely express themselves verbally whilst actively listening within lessons and when participating in team sports. PE also requires staff and students to communicate using non-verbal methods such as body language, the modelling of techniques and through demonstration.

A huge proportion of our students play in an admirably wide range of competitions – we host many competitions, employ visiting coaches and remain a central hub for much of the sport that goes on in North Tyneside. A large body of students contribute significantly to our revered extra-curricular and academy programmes and staff promote personalised exit routes to many of our sporting partners that exist beyond school. We have many successful professional, semi-professional and avid sportspeople in our John Spence alumni.

https://www.johnspence.org.uk/students/enrichment-opportunities/

All our learning is backed up by an Extensive Extra Curricular programme which includes activities at lunchtimes and after school – the timetable can be seen elsewhere on the website. In addition we operate an Academy system for Key Stage 3 pupils which involves the pupils coming in early on a Thursday morning and working with external coaches in a number of different sports areas such as: Table Tennis, Netball, Boxing, Trampolining, Football, Girls Football, Dance and Rugby – here pupils knowledge is further enhanced and pupils are signposted to Community opportunities available to them.

Assessment

Destinations

• Various institutes such as Tynemet, Newcastle College and Gateshead College to complete BTEC Nationals.
• Various Sixth Forms such as St. Thomas More, Queen Alexander, Whitley Bay High School to study A level PE.
• Onto Universities such as Northumbria, Sunderland, Durham, Teesside, York, Carnegie to study Sport and Physical Education to Degree level.