Physical activity within a primary school is defined by the Assoctation for Physical Education (AFPE) as 'a broad term that describes bodily movement, posture and balance. All require energy. It includes all forms of physical education, sports and dance activities. However, it is wider than this, as it also includes indoor and outdoor play, work-related activity, outdoor and adventurous activities, active travel (e.g walking, cycling, rollerblading, scooting) and routine, habitual activities such as using the stairs, doing housework and gardening'.

Physical Activity at Our Lady of Hartley 

We take our responsibility to help children to meet the Chief Medical Officer guidelines that all children and young people aged 5 to 18 engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day (of which 30 minutes should be in school) very seriously. Therefore, at Our Lady of Hartley, Children take part in physical activity in a plethora of ways. Be it at break time, as part of continuous provision (Reception and Year One) or during lesson time. Every opportunity to be active is taken. We use some of the sports funding allocated to us to help with this. Please see the list below to see some of the ways that we help to keep children moving:

• Movement breaks throughout the day (sometimes using 5-a-day fitness to help).
• Games and activities at breakfast club.
• Access to a wide variety of equipment at break times and lunchtimes.
• A wide range of after school clubs offered.
• Access to the allotment and well-being area.
• Opportunities throughout the year to attend Forest School.
• Providing training and resources for mid-day supervisors to oversee games and activities at break and lunchtime. 
• Physical activity interventions.
• Annual Bikeability courses offered to our Year 6 children. 
• On-site bike/scooter storage to encourage being physically active on the way to and from school. 

Parent Support 

We encourage parents to support their children in engaging in an active healthy lifestyle. All parents have been given a 5-a-day login to structure physical activity at home when it is needed and physical activity homework is set once a term. 

Further Information 

For more information about Physical Education (PE), school sport or opportunities for physical activity at Our Lady of Hartley, please click the links below:

Physical Education

School Sport

PE and Sports Premium

The benefits of being physically active 

We fully understand the numerous benefits of encouraging our children to be physically active and know that it helps their heads, hearts and bodies to stay healthy.