PE and Sport at Birdwell School

At Birdwell School, physical activity is a core part of daily life and a key strength of our school community. We are proud to have been awarded the Platinum School Games Mark, the highest national recognition for our commitment to providing high-quality PE, sport, and physical activity for all our pupils.

Our children benefit from a wide range of opportunities to be active every day, including the Daily Mile, Forest School sessions, access to on-site orienteering courses, and a vibrant gardening curriculum. On average, we offer ten to fifteen extra-curricular sports clubs each week, which rotate termly. Free or subsidised spaces are prioritised for less active children and those eligible for Pupil Premium. Additionally, sport and woodland clubs run during the school holidays, ensuring that physical activity is available year-round.

Our PE curriculum is broad and inclusive, offering both mainstream sports and more niche physical activities, such as street dance, ultimate frisbee, rhythmic gymnastics, and more, through weekly Games lessons. Adventure activities, including climbing and skiing, are offered through our Year 4 and Year 6 residential trips. Year 4 children complete Level 1 Bikeability (safe cycling) training, while Year 6 children complete Level 2.

We place a high emphasis on developing fundamental movement skills. As a result, all children from Reception through to Year 6 receive a weekly Real PE lesson. Real PE is a philosophy and approach designed to transform the way PE is taught, aiming to include, challenge, and support every child. It helps children make small but meaningful improvements in their Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS), which are the basic movements associated with physical activity. Developing these skills enables children to become more competent and confident, helping them better engage in the wide range of opportunities available at Birdwell and beyond.

From Year 2 upwards, all pupils participate in competitive inter-school events, as well as intra-school competitions through the Birdwell Sports Cup, a termly inter-house competition. We have strong partnerships with Bristol Forever Sport, Ashton Park School Sport Partnership, and local clubs such as Bristol Flyers and Long Ashton FC. These collaborations bring expert coaching, new opportunities, and valuable community connections that enrich our provision.

High-quality teaching is supported by mentoring from expert coaches, ongoing staff training, and careful monitoring of access to opportunities. Our team Sports Leaders and Playground Leaders also play a vital role in promoting active play and leadership among younger peers.

At Birdwell, every child is encouraged to enjoy being active, try new things, and take pride in being part of Team Birdwell.

PE & Sport Premium Funding

Birdwell School receives extra funding to help improve the provision of PE and Sport for its pupils.  The PE and Sport Premium funding should be used to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE, sport and physical activity that the pupils have access to and are encouraged to participate in.

Our school leaders are responsible for deciding how the PE and Sport Premium funding is spent.  Our plans are directed at securing improvements against the following 5 key indicators:

• Engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
• Profile of PE and sport is raised across the school as a tool for whole-school improvement
• Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
• Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
• Increased participation in competitive sport

Further information is available from the Department of Education website about PE and Sport Premium.  

Birdwell School PE & Sport Premium Report 2024-2025