Physical Education

Intent: 

Our aim at St James’ CofE Primary is to create confident, independent, life-long athletes. Throughout a range of different sports and activities, the children are able to learn to work both independently, but most importantly, as part of a team, all while developing relationships and learning new skills. While children look forward to the new sports they will learn within their PE lessons, we know that there are many other benefits and experiences that can come from sport. PE teaches independence, communication and teamwork and strengthens values that can be taken forward throughout the children’s lives. Each week we focus on a “value of the week” and recognise a child who has demonstrated these important values who will be presented with the PE award, given to them in front of their peers at our weekly celebration assembly. 

Implementation: 

At St James’, every child across both key stage one and two is part of one of our four school houses – Brunel, Dickens, Ferdinand and Rhodes, all named after influential figures from the Southwark area. Throughout the year, in order to encourage healthy competition, the children will take part in events and sporting fixtures where they will compete on behalf of their house. We conclude the sporting calendar with our whole-school Sports Day events. Each house is represented by two members of Year 6, who are chosen as House Captains. These are children that have displayed all the characteristics we look for in a ‘sports leader’ throughout their time at St James’. 

Through our partnership with the LPESSN, we take part in a range of inter-school competitions, in a range of different sports, including rounders, cricket, football, athletics, netball and more. We are very proud of the success of our school teams and look forward to building on this success year on year. As part of this partnership, we are also able to utilise the PE network’s offering of specialist coaches and sports festivals to go above and beyond the regular PE we are able to offer. We also engage with other local sporting clubs and organisations, building a wide network, which allows our students to receive a high level of coaching. 

Impact: 

PE helps children develop and maintain good physical and mental health. It also has a direct correlation with improved academic achievement. PE introduces children to various physical activities and sports, encouraging them to adopt an active lifestyle. Developing healthy habits early in life can contribute to long-term well-being. At St James’, our children take part in a progressive curriculum that focusses on improving the fundamental skills that form the basis of all sports. Children will visit sports on more than one occasion, focusing on both the skills and the implementation of these skills in a competitive situation. With a large proportion of disadvantaged children, our outside partnerships allow our children to experience trips, competition and coaching that they may not otherwise have access to. Physical activity can also contribute to the development of self-esteem and confidence of children, and the successes that come with PE can be crucial to building a positive self-image. 

Our PE values:

• Respect              
• Teamwork
• Resilience  
• Inclusion   
• Sportsmanship    
• Attitude

We have well-equipped halls at both sites and extra play equipment in the playground in both schools. Nursery and Reception have a new physical active play area in their outside area.

Your child is expected to wear the school PE kit on their PE/PA days. This includes:

• A yellow t-shirt 
• Burgundy shorts/tracksuit bottoms
• A school jumper/cardigan

Other than the school emblem, all the above should be unbranded.

These are all available from our uniform suppliers https://www.shopkeepeasy.com/100829

Please also make sure suitable shoes for sport (black trainers or plimsolls) are worn.
Plimsolls are available here.

LPESSN End of Year Awards 2026

Last year we were shortlisted for six awards at the PE Network's annual awards evening:

Team of the year: Year 5&6 Girls Football Team

Girls Sports Provision of the year

Headteacher of the year: Mr Oliver

PE Coordinator of the year: Mr Brenta

Coach of the year: Mr Brenta

School of the year

Mr Brenta, along with a group of our Year 5&6 female footballers, attended the awards that took place at Bacons College at the end of the year. While we didn't win all six that we were shortlisted for, we did do incredibly well to win Headteacher of the year, the special recognition award and, for the second year in a row, School of the year! Below is what the PE Network said about us for each of our nominations:

Headteacher of the year – Mr Oliver:

This person has been an outstanding headteacher for many years and has received multiple nominations in previous years. This year it is finally their turn to pick up the award. This head understands the importance of PE and physical activity and the benefits for their students. This headteachers' school has been one of the most proactive schools in the borough for many years and, with his excellent leadership, it comes as no surprise that they are. 

Recognition Award – Mr Brenta:

This year, The Network would like to recognise someone who has worked with us for a number of years. Their support for PE and School Sport is second to none. They are seen in the evenings at leagues supporting students, encouraging as many parents as possible to attend and be involved in activities.  They work relentlessly to make sure their students have the best opportunities provided by the Network. It has been long overdue to recognise this person. We are extremely proud and happy to work with them, especially for such a long time.

School of the year:

Throughout the year, this school has shown an unwavering commitment to providing opportunities for every child, attending an incredible number of competitions, festivals, and events across the borough and beyond. Their enthusiasm to say "yes" to opportunities has ensured that countless pupils have represented their school, developed new skills, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

The school has also demonstrated an outstanding commitment to inclusion and personal development through the programmes it has embraced. Their belief in the importance of PE and school sport is evident in everything they do and has created a culture where being active, representing the school and striving for excellence is celebrated by the entire school community.

School Games Mark

We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games GOLD Mark Award for the 2025/26 academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and in the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

Our sporting achievements this year include:

• Senior Girls Football team finishing 3rd in the league in their debut season
• Senior Girls Football team finishing runners-up in the Premier League Primary Stars Competition held at Millwall Foundation
• Senior Girls Football team finishing runners-up in the Southwark Cup
• Senior Mixed Athletics team finishing runners-up in both the indoor and outdoor Southwark Athletics Competition
• Year 4 Mixed Cricket team winning the Platform Cricket Southwark Cup
• 142 children running 2km at Southwark running track as part of Run Kids Run.
• 198 children running 2 miles around the school playground to complete the London Mini Marathon, raising over £3000 in sponsorship.
• Continuing to build relationships and partnerships with local sports organisations, including Millwall FC, The National Tennis Association  
• More opportunities for girls' sport with dedicated clubs, lessons and lunchtime offerings to encourage participation
• Visits to the Kia Oval
• Continuation of swimming lessons for Y5/6
• A greater offering of sports clubs including tennis, cricket, football, American football and multi-sports
• Being shortlisted for six awards at the PE Network's End of Year Awards Evening

With a total of over 150 young people competing in local inter-school competitions this year, we are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible.

As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

We look forward to applying once again in 2027!

Our House Captains for 2026/27

Competitions and Events

The House Cup

All year long, the children of KS2 work hard to earn house points towards the House Cup. Points can be earned in a variety of ways: wearing their school PE kits on PE days, demonstrating one of our PE character values during lessons, being awarded a certificate in our weekly celebration assembly, or completing some home learning – whether it’s about their favourite sport or a sporting hero.

We also run a range of competitions throughout the year, where children compete in their houses for additional points, with Dickens taking home the trophy last year.