Branston Church of England Infant Academy
'The Best We Can Be'
At Branston C of E Infant Academy, it is our intention to develop a lifelong love of exercise, sport and PE in all children. Through our inclusive PE curriculum, we encourage and model a positive and healthy lifestyle, highlighting the importance of both physical and mental health. Within each PE lesson, we strive to give every child the opportunity to revise and refine their skills. The children will develop their Physical Literacy and essential, transferrable and lifelong skills like leadership, teamwork and resilience. It is our intention that all children take part in two PE lessons a week, one with their class teacher (Tuesdays) and one with our brilliant Sports Coach from CGS Outreach (Thursdays) with the support of our Sports and Wellbeing Apprentice.
The children will have opportunities throughout the school year to represent Branston C of E Infant Academy and compete against other local schools. It is our intention that 100% of children will represent the school in a sporting event. We have achieved this for two years running and we strive to achieve the same this year.
Class teachers are equipped with the subject knowledge and relevant resources required to deliver modern, high-quality PE lessons, regardless of their main areas of expertise. The PE subject leader for the school is committed to strengthening and broadening the PE skills of the staff further. At Branston C of E Infant Academy, we value the partnership we have with the team at CGS Outreach (Lincolnshire Central School Sport Partnership). PE lessons are planned alongside our coach to ensure that children are given the opportunity to practise and build on their skills. Interwoven into the teaching sequence are opportunities for self, peer and teacher assessment.
All children at Branston C of E Infant Academy access a broad range of experiences in PE lessons. PE lessons are fun which results in a higher level of engagement and understanding. We are proud to be a sport-loving, active school. We are continuing to raise the profile of PE in various different ways. It is our second year of having a Sports and Wellbeing Apprentice; Miss Elise spends time in all classes and is full of enthusiasm for sport and fitness. She supports all PE lessons during the week and also promotes physical activity at break and lunch times so that we can achieve our Active30. Parents can see our passion through the celebration of sporting events in Celebration Worship each Friday.
At Branston C of E Infant Academy, we have our own ‘Sports Crew’ made up of 16 children (there are 4 in each class in Key Stage One and 4 across EYFS). They wear a special Sports Crew t-shirt, provided by the school, on PE days so that they can be easily identified. These children raise the profile of PE within their class and they are special helpers during PE lessons.
Little Owls also take part in two PE lessons each week. In addition to this, a huge part of their everyday provision promotes physical development. Little Owls follow the Early Years Statutory Framework, provided by the Department for Education (DFE): Physical development is one of the prime areas of learning. By providing play opportunities for both indoors and outdoors (they love spending time outdoors!), adults support children to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination and early literacy.
Last year 97% of pupils and 100% of Pupil Premium pupils attended a sports club including girls football, mixed football and multi-sports. In addition 100% of Y2 children went swimming at Branston Community Academy. We are committed and on track to achieve the same this year.
Festivals and Competitions
We are incredibly proud of our children and how well they represent our school when they participate in external festivals and competitions. They embrace our school values, especially perseverance and respect, as they challenge themselves to be 'the best they can be'. As a school we encourage ALL children to try new sports and raise their aspirations by giving them new experiences and exposing them to experts in the field of sport.
In 2020-21, 100% of our children represented the school in one or more sports festivals and competitions. This includes all of our EYFS children and pupils with SEND.
In 2021-22, currently 98% of all pupils have represented the school and we are on track for 100% of pupils to have participated in an event or competition by the end of the academic year.
Celebrating Success
We are proud of all our sporting success and commitment to ensuring physical activity is a high priority for all children who attend our school. In recognition of this, and our further commitment to our wider community of families, we were delighted to be nominated and make the final of the Active Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Award in the Active School category. We continue to encourage a high level of engagement in physical activity through our PE lessons, extra-curricular activities, sports events, the daily mile and through our weekly swimming lessons. We also run a HAF holiday club for our pupil premium children. This has physical activity embedded within the daily activities available for the children.