Murdishaw West Primary School has been awarded the School Games GOLD Award for our PE and sports provision.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that we, Murdishaw West Community Primary School, have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2023/24  academic year.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward and recognise engagement (provision and uptake) in the School Games against a national benchmark and to celebrate keeping young people active, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

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We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of physical activity and school sport. We are committed to using the School Games to try and engage those young people who haven’t previously been active or represented our school and to try and ensure that all our students have a positive experience and want to try out new activities beyond school too in our community. We believe in the power of physical activity and school sport as a school and give opportunities to those young people that need it most either as a participant, leader, official or volunteer.

As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas linked to the five School Games outcomes 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 2023!

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PE at Murdishaw West intends to develop a child’s knowledge, skill and understanding, so that they can perform a range of physical activities which, in time, increases competence and confidence. PE lessons involve thinking, selecting and applying skills, and promote positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. Pupils of all ages and abilities will benefit from a broad, creative and balanced physical education programme that will be stimulating, challenging and progressive in a safe and supportive environment. 

The different aspects of physical education and the opportunities offered to the child through this curriculum area contribute to the pupils’ overall education, thus enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards long-term health, behaviour and the development of physical competence. Specifically, the objectives at Murdishaw West are:

• To recognise and develop individual potential.

• To provide an awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

• To nurture and promote physical development and competence.

• To recognise the value of participation in physical activity.

• To develop an appreciation of skilful and creative performance.

• To develop inter-personal skills.

• To implement and encourage the establishment of self-esteem in PE and sport.

• To develop a clear understanding of safety procedures in PE and sport.

• To develop a creative PE curriculum which challenges and stimulates all pupils.

• To listen to pupils’ ideas, through pupil voice, to help develop an inclusive and joyful curriculum.

• To utilise PE and Sport Premium funding to further develop quality of teaching at all key stages and to provide equipment and activities that target the needs of all pupils. 
   

Children have awareness of a balanced diet and health related fitness, as well as developing their basic skills and abilities of movement. All children have the opportunities to, and are greatly encouraged to participate in PE and sport both in and out of school. Regular recognition and rewards are provided for those showing enthusiasm and determination as well as those showing high levels of ability. Teachers, with the support of professional coaching, identify areas of learning that require improvement and plan lessons in order to address those skills. Children thoroughly enjoy their experiences of PE and sport and develop their skills as much as possible in their time at Murdishaw West.

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