Physical Education at The Shrubbery School

At The Shrubbery School, we believe every child should experience the joy of movement, the challenge of competition, and the confidence that comes from developing physical skill. Our PE curriculum is designed to nurture happy, active, and resilient learners from our youngest pupils in the Early Years through to Year 6.

From the very start, children are encouraged to explore movement through play, dance, and creative activity, building strength, balance, and coordination. As they move through the school, they master a broad range of skills across sports such as football, hockey, basketball, cricket, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, and swimming. Teamwork, fair play, and self-belief are at the heart of every lesson, helping pupils to develop both physically and personally.

Beyond the classroom, our exciting programme of after-school clubs allows children to further their interests and discover new passions — from multiskills and multisport clubs for younger pupils to more specialist opportunities in athletics, cricket, and ball games. Pupils also proudly represent the school in local football and netball competitions, demonstrating commitment, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

We extend learning beyond the school grounds with unique experiences such as Parkour sessions with UTX Academy and golf lessons with professional coaches at Walmley Golf Academy. Regular sports trips and enrichment activities inspire children to stay active, develop lifelong healthy habits, and appreciate the wider world of sport.

At The Shrubbery School, Physical Education is more than just lessons — it’s about developing confidence, curiosity, and a lasting love of being active.

At Key Stage 1, children build the foundations of physical literacy by developing agility, balance, coordination and control across a wide range of activities. They learn to master fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing and catching and begin to apply these in simple team games and individual challenges. Pupils are introduced to invasion games, striking and fielding, net and wall activities, athletics, dance and gymnastics. These lessons not only enhance physical competence but also promote teamwork, cooperation and fair play. Children begin to explore tactics, recognise rules and reflect on their own performance, supporting both their physical confidence and their understanding of healthy, active lifestyles.

As pupils progress into Key Stage 2, their skills and knowledge deepen as they engage in more complex movement patterns, competitive games and creative activities. They refine their techniques across a variety of sports, including basketball, football, hockey, netball, tennis, cricket, rounders, and athletics, applying strategies for both attack and defence with increasing confidence. In dance and gymnastics, children develop control, strength and expression, creating and performing sequences with fluency and precision. Outdoor and adventurous activities provide opportunities for problem-solving, leadership and collaboration, while swimming lessons ensure all children become competent, confident swimmers with essential water-safety skills. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are equipped with a broad skill set, the resilience to challenge themselves and the ability to evaluate and improve their performances, preparing them for lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.