"A healthy mind in a healthy body." - Juvenal

Physical Education (PE) in the Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to develop pupils' physical competence and confidence, and their ability to use these to perform in a range of activities. It promotes physical development, skill acquisition, and a positive attitude towards an active and healthy lifestyle. The curriculum is structured to build upon skills and knowledge progressively through each Key Stage.

The curriculum is organised around six main areas of experience: Athletics, Dance, Games, Gymnastics, Swimming, and Outdoor & Adventurous Activities.

Foundation Stage (P1 & 2)

At this stage, the focus is on developing fundamental movement skills (FMS) through play-based learning. The aim is to improve body management, coordination, and spatial awareness in a fun, exploratory environment.

  • Key Focus: Exploration and discovery.

  • Athletics: Running, jumping, and throwing activities are introduced through fun games.

  • Dance: Exploring creative movement, rhythm, and expressing ideas and moods.

  • Games: Simple games focusing on sending, receiving, and travelling with a ball; developing basic tactics and teamwork.

  • Gymnastics: Exploring basic body shapes and actions like balancing, rolling, and climbing using floor and apparatus.

Key Stage 1 (P6 3 & 4)

Pupils begin to build on their fundamental skills, applying them with more control and consistency. They learn to link movements together and start to understand simple rules and tactics.

  • Key Focus: Developing and linking skills.

  • Athletics: Developing running, jumping, and throwing techniques with more control.

  • Dance: Creating and performing short dances, showing an awareness of rhythm and dynamics.

  • Games: Participating in modified games (e.g., netball, football, hockey), developing skills like dribbling, passing, and basic defending.

  • Gymnastics: Creating and performing sequences that link actions, balances, and travels.

  • Swimming: Aims for all pupils to be able to swim 25 metres by the end of KS2. Water confidence and basic strokes are introduced.

Key Stage 2 (P5, 6 & 7)

The focus shifts to refining skills and applying them in more complex situations. Pupils learn to evaluate their own and others' performances and understand the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle.

  • Key Focus: Refining and applying skills in context.

  • Athletics: Refining techniques for specific athletic events and learning to measure and record performances.

  • Dance: Composing and performing dances in various styles, often collaboratively.

  • Games: Playing competitive games with a greater understanding of tactics and strategies for attacking and defending. Introduction to a wider range of sports.

  • Gymnastics: Composing and performing longer, more complex sequences with precision and control.

  • Outdoor & Adventurous Activities: Introduction to activities like orienteering, problem-solving challenges, and team-building exercises, often during residential trips.