Physical Education

 "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Lou Holtz, American Football coach

 Physical education develops pupils’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school. A high-quality physical education curriculum enables all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity. They develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve them.

As a result, they develop the confidence to take part in different physical activities and learn about the value of healthy, active lifestyles. Discovering what they like to do, what their aptitudes are at school, and how and where to get involved in physical activity helps them make informed choices about lifelong physical activity.
PE helps pupils develop personally and socially. They work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness and of personal and social responsibility. They take on different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that PE offers, they learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations.
 

The Department

We have a newly opened MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) used for netball, hockey, tennis, football and handball.  We have a gymnasium used for basketball, gymnastics, volleyball as well as other sports.  Our multi-gym is equipped with cardio-vascular machines and free weights.   We also have access to further tennis courts.
 

The PE department works hard to provide a broad range of activities for all girls. We encourage them to fulfil their potential by pushing themselves regularly and to try new activities. There are high expectations of all. A long term view is taken to encourage all pupils to lead an active lifestyle and develop healthy lifelong habits. Girls gain self-confidence from their participation in PE. The extra-curricular activities complement the curriculum and provide girls with the chance to try different activities.

The Staff

Miss J Rodwell (Head of Department) aims to help all girls find an activity they want to pursue for the long term. She values effort and a have-a-go attitude the most, as these are the pupil’s that will get the most from PE and give the most back to the school.

The Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Throughout the Key Stage we build on the fundamental skills of team sports such as Netball & Hockey as well as less traditional sports such as Dodgeball & Benchball. As the girls move up the school we develop their tactical understanding.
In Year 9 we begin to play basketball and introduce sessions in the Multi-gym into curriculum time.
 

Trips and Enrichment

The department organise and run a large number of extra-curricular clubs to extend the learning opportunities.
During enrichment week we run inter-point group competitions and the year culminates in Sports Day.
There is an extensive programme of fixtures. We currently enter the Netball & Athletics leagues and participate in Borough competitions in a number of activities e.g. rounders, indoor rowing, volleyball etc.
A group perform at the Barnet Dance Festival and this year we are running trips to Sadler’s Wells to see a Matthew Bourne production and the Olympic Park for the School Games events plus Olympic & Paralympic events.
 

Key Stage 4

Curriculum time is one double period a week so we encourage all to attend a club to maintain their activity level.
Curriculum time is targeted towards trying new roles such as coaching, leading and officiating.