Physical Education

Physical Education (PE) is the perfect vehicle through which to develop crucial skills, attitude and knowledge required for an ever changing modern world. At Lipson we use a wide range of sports and activities as a medium for students to develop their Heart, Head and Hands. Something which PE is uniquely positioned to do. Students will be supported throughout to lead, to compete, to develop socially and emotionally. Ultimately encouraging lifelong participation in Physical Activity.

Lipson PE are an extraordinarily experienced department and provide a working model for students on how effective teams can succeed. All members of the Lipson PE team are experienced in all areas of the PE curriculum and continue to demonstrate the positive attitudes we aim to instill in all of our students. We have created a department which students are proud to be a part of. Whether they form a team during lessons, in Sports Studies, Level 3 Cambridge Technical or part of our highly successful sporting teams; students will thrive in an environment which maximises participation and develops excellence.

We are dedicated to developing competent students to excel in a broad range of physical activities. Students will leave Lipson having gained the confidence and self-motivation to engage in lifelong participation in physical activity. We offer a synoptic curriculum where sports and activities become the vehicle to develop students within the psychomotor, cognitive and affective domain. Learning is sequential during KS3 where students experience a holistic overview of activities to promote enjoyment and development of key transferable skills and concepts. We aim to instill students with the desire to continue along the Physical Education pathway provided for them.

Our Curriculum Learning Pathway

Physical Education Curriculum Pathway (PDF)

Meet the Team

Sam Stubbs - Head of PE
Beckie Garland - Teacher of PE
Katy Geraghty - Teacher of PE
Ed Goodman - Teacher of PE
Tyler Joint - Teacher of PE
Sarah Law - Teacher of PE
Kevin Mee - Teacher of PE
Struan Mitchell - Teacher of PE

Transition and building on KS2

As a department we pride ourselves in our outstanding levels of collaboration with our local feeder schools. Mr Putt leads on the delivery of weekly lessons and CPD opportunities in our feeder schools in addition to hosting numerous sporting festivals for our feeder primary schools throughout the year. Using our Sports Leaders in these festivals provides KS2 students a frame of reference for a successful values-based Lipson Cooperative Academy student. This ensures KS2 students are eager and excited to join Lipson PE, as well as allowing us to identify any gaps in their development so we can adapt our curriculum accordingly.

Intent

At Lipson Co-operative Academy, our Physical Education curriculum at Key Stage 3 and 4 is designed to inspire all students to develop the knowledge, confidence, and motivation to lead active, healthy lives both now and in the future.

Rooted in the principles of physical literacy, our concept-based curriculum moves beyond isolated sports and focuses on developing the whole student through meaningful movement experiences. We use physical activity as a vehicle to explore key themes such as leadership, resilience, empathy, respect, creativity, and critical thinking.

We believe that PE should empower every student — whether competitive, recreational, or developing in confidence — to find value and enjoyment in physical activity.

Our intent is to:

Promote physical competence and a broad skill set across a wide range of activities including team sports, individual pursuits, fitness, and aesthetic activities.
Cultivate positive personal values such as respect, resilience, and empathy through challenge, competition, and cooperation.
Encourage students to think critically, make tactical decisions, and understand the ‘why’ behind physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

We assess and support development through the Head, Heart, Hands model:

🧠 Head (Thinking):
Understanding tactics, rules, strategy, anatomy, health, and the purpose of physical activity. Students build conceptual knowledge that informs intelligent performance and lifelong health choices.
❤️ Heart (Feeling):
Demonstrating respect, effort, integrity, and teamwork. Students develop confidence, motivation, and emotional resilience — key traits for both sport and life.
✋ Hands (Doing):
Applying physical skills with control, consistency, and creativity. Students improve movement competence and are encouraged to challenge themselves in performance.

By the end of KS4, students will have:

Grown as physically literate individuals who value physical activity for its mental, social, and physical benefits.
Experienced a curriculum that supports choice, independence, and real-world relevance — including opportunities for leadership, officiating, and personal goal-setting.
Built the knowledge, character, and competence to be healthy, active contributors to their community.

Our curriculum ensures that every student, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to find success and meaning in movement.

What examination courses do we follow?

The concept of language for learning is embedded in all activities in KS3. The introduction of OCR Sports Studies specification terminology and concepts prepares our students for the OCR Level 2 Qualification. Students who have particularly enjoyed the leadership elements of Years 7 and 8 and would like to develop these skills further are invited to join our Sports Leadership programme which forms an additional course for them to engage with in Year 9.

Sport Students in KS4 undertake 3 units of study in OCR Cambridge National Sports Studies. The course on offer allows a high level of practical application of theoretical sports knowledge throughout the key stage, including Outdoor Adventurous Activities, Developing Sports Skills and Sports Leadership. Students will sit the mandatory exam in Contemporary Issues in Sport.

KS4- Completing 4 units across 2 years: (Subject to change - 2022)*
R184: Contemporary issues in sport
R185: Sports leadership
R187: Outdoor adventurous Activities

Our students finish KS4 and have the desire to continue their sports learning journey at our Sixth Form in a way that opens up ample examples of career pathways and progressions.

The extremely popular Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity is intended as an Applied General qualification, equivalent in size to one, two or three A Levels. It is a two-year, full-time course that meets entry requirements in its own right for learners who want to progress to higher education courses in sport before entering employment.

Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate (360 GLH)
Diploma (720 GLH)
Extended Diploma (1080 GLH)

How do we enrich our students outside of the classroom?

Lipson students have vast enrichment opportunities in PE outside of the classroom.

Throughout the day they are provided with opportunities to use PE facilities and equipment under supervision at lunchtimes, Badminton Club during break 1, Table Tennis club during break 2.
We have a huge range of clubs both recreational and competitive for students to join external to the curriculum. Students have the opportunity to represent our successful Lipson Cooperative teams at regional and national competitions across a large number of sports.
Year 7 students are encouraged to engage with the ‘Bikeability’ programme which runs external to the curriculum. Students not only gain road awareness and bike riding skills; they also gain the confidence and competence to engage in a physical activity for life.
KS4 sport students will experience regular trips to develop their understanding of Outdoor Activities including: orienteering and mountain biking at Saltram National Trust, rock climbing (both indoor and outdoor) and archery.
As a department we also offer enrichment opportunities in the form of trips – regularly taking students to see elite sporting performance including International and local professional sporting events.
In addition students can access International Skiing trips which help to develop cultural experiences as well develop lifelong skills and memories.

Impact

Students are assessed formatively during lessons looking at development of learning in all three learning domains.

The assessment of student development in PE is in a mastery-oriented climate where skills, knowledge and attitudes can be transferred across activities sequentially throughout the key stage using Head, Heart and Hands:

Enrichment

Please follow this link for our full sports extra curricular activities.

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