What Does High-Quality PE Involve? High-quality physical education in primary schools involves structured and engaging activities that foster physical development and promote healthy habits. Providing high-quality physical education in primary schools is essential for children’s overall well-being.
High-quality physical education (PE) in primary schools is a well-structured, inclusive, and progressive programme designed to develop physical literacy, teamwork, confidence, and a love for being active. It’s far more than just ‘keeping pupils busy’ — it’s about building a foundation of physical competence and healthy habits that support pupils throughout their education and beyond.
A strong PE curriculum in primary schools should offer a wide variety of experiences, including fundamental movement skills, gymnastics, dance, athletics, team games, and outdoor adventurous activities. Lessons should be carefully planned to match the age and developmental level of the children, with opportunities for both individual progress and collaborative learning.
High-quality PE also includes effective teaching practices such as clear learning objectives, structured warm-ups, differentiated activities, assessment for learning, and reflective cool-downs. It prioritises inclusion, encourages effort over outcome, and promotes lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. This is what defines high-quality physical education in primary schools.
Why Is This Important for Schools?
Providing high-quality PE is essential for supporting whole-child development. It improves physical wellbeing, enhances mental health, and builds essential life skills such as resilience, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. Schools that prioritise high-quality PE often see benefits in behaviour, concentration, and social relationships across the wider curriculum.
From a statutory perspective, high-quality PE supports schools in delivering the national curriculum for physical education, which outlines specific expectations for Key Stages 1 and 2. It also aligns with Ofsted’s focus on personal development, curriculum breadth, and wellbeing, emphasising the need for high-quality physical education in primary schools.
Additionally, the government provides ring-fenced PE and Sport Premium funding to all primary schools in England. Schools are expected to use this funding to improve the quality of PE and sport provision sustainably. Investing in high-quality PE is one of the most effective and impactful ways to meet these objectives and demonstrate value for money.
How Sprint Active Can Help
Sprint Active supports primary schools in delivering outstanding PE provision through expert coaching, structured programmes, and full curriculum alignment. Our qualified, DBS-checked coaches use progressive lesson plans and inclusive strategies to ensure every pupil is engaged, challenged, and supported.
We deliver a wide range of physical activities tailored to each year group, covering all elements of the national curriculum. Our PE lessons include built-in assessment tools to track pupil progress, alongside termly impact reports that schools can use for Sport Premium accountability and Ofsted inspections. All this contributes to high-quality physical education in primary schools.
Beyond delivery, we offer planning support, long-term curriculum mapping, and CPD opportunities to help build internal confidence and consistency. Our goal is to make it easy for your school to provide exceptional physical education without increasing teacher workload.
👉 Learn more about our PE programmes on the School Services page
