Our Curriculum

At Philip Southcote School, Physical Education is inclusive, purposeful, and designed to promote confidence, resilience, and wellbeing. Through a wide range of adaptable activities, students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Our curriculum supports physical, social, and emotional development, with progress tracked through the Southcote Steps across four key strands. By fostering enjoyment and success in PE, we prepare students for lifelong health and active participation beyond school.

Each lesson is structured to ensure students experience success and progress at their own pace. We want all pupils to understand how being active supports their mental and physical health, both in school and throughout their adult lives. Through sports and exercise, students develop meaningful social experiences, a sense of belonging, and positive interactions.

Our PE curriculum is nurturing and aspirational. It supports students to reach their full potential through a wide range of adaptable activities, including team and individual games, fitness tasks, swimming lessons, participation in the Surrey Special Schools Sports Association, and an annual ski trip.

Students develop a broad set of life skills, communication (verbal and non-verbal), leadership, teamwork, personal challenge, resilience, determination, independence, and problem-solving. These are taught at an appropriate level of complexity for each learner, encouraging cooperation, respect, and practical problem-solving.

Assessment is based on four key strands: Leadership, Coordination and Movement, Communication, and Game Play. These strands ensure students build physical competence alongside the social and cognitive skills needed to thrive in and beyond school. Skills are introduced in small, achievable steps, aligned with cognitive load principles to reduce overload and strengthen links to prior learning.

From Year 7 onwards, students develop fundamental movement skills, running, jumping, throwing, catching, and striking. As they progress, they apply techniques in structured games, explore tactics and strategies, and take on leadership roles. Progress is tracked using the Southcote Steps, which break down skills into clear, measurable stages across the four strands. Achievements are celebrated through certificates, reports, and whole-school recognition.

In Key Stage 4, the level of challenge increases, and students are encouraged to become more independent. They engage in real-world experiences, such as gym visits, to further develop their understanding of lifelong physical activity.

Physical Education at Philip Southcote School helps students build the skills they need for everyday life. Through carefully planned activities, students learn how to work with others, follow instructions, solve problems, and stay active in ways that support their health and wellbeing. Our aim is to make PE accessible and meaningful for all learners, so they leave school with the confidence to take part in physical activity in their community and understand how it can help them feel better, stay healthy, and enjoy life.

Key skill developments include:

• Building coordination and control through running, jumping, throwing, catching, and striking.
• Developing communication skills to share ideas, give feedback, and work effectively in teams.
• Learning leadership skills such as motivating others, organising activities, and demonstrating techniques.
• Understanding and applying rules, roles, and strategies in a variety of games and sports.
• Improving fitness and recognising the benefits of lifelong physical activity.