Physical Education
At West Lodge we believe that PE is a vital area of the curriculum and exercise should be part of a healthy lifestyle that begins from an early age. Not only does sport promote fitness, but it also encourages children to co-operate with others as part of a team, increasing their self confidence and sense of well-being.
Our aim is to give the children the skills needed to participate in PE with enjoyment. We offer a wide range of sporting activities to suit all our children’s interest and needs:
• Athletics
• Ball skills
• Cricket
• Dance
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Netball
• Rounders
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Tennis
All of our pupils, from Nursery to Year 6 are taught by our fully qualified Sports’ Coach and pupils in Years 3 - 6 also have sessions with a qualified rugby coach.
From Year 3 to Year 6 the children attend the Sidcup Rugby Football Club sports’ fields each Thursday for an afternoon of games. The children also attend Sidcup Leisure Centre for swimming lessons, where they are taught by a qualified instructor.
Every year all of our children from Nursery through to Year 6 take part in our Sports Day where they participate in a variety of races to earn points for their Houses. These are family occasions to which all of our parents are invited to attend.
Various sports activities are run as both before and after school clubs, including Ball Skills, Cricket, Dance, Disco/Freestyle, Football, Gymnastics, Latin/Ballroom and Netball. Sports' practice encourages eye tracking and improves eye:hand co-ordination, listening and organisational skills and helps children to become more confident in their PE lessons and in the playground. Gymnastics develops balance, poise and strength and team games and working in pairs also helps social interaction. Fixtures are arranged throughout the year to play both competitive and friendly matches with other local schools.
Swimming
Years 3 - 6
Children of all abilities are catered for within our swimming lessons, from the non-swimmer to the club swimmer. The lessons are structured and are split into groups as necessary. All groups are taught about safety within the pool environment and water confidence.
We teach three of the four main strokes, backstroke, breaststroke and front crawl, while butterfly can be introduced to the club swimmer. Emphasis on teaching the correct stroke action and in building the child’s stamina and confidence is paramount. Usually, children have the opportunity to gain water skills, challenge and distance certificates.
Our aim is to develop an all round swimmer with confidence and good technique who can achieve while gaining an enjoyment of the sport. All children participate in our annual galas, which take place in the Spring and Summer terms.
