Physical education and Sport play a large part of life at Highfield Littleport.

PE lessons

We have a highly structured PE curriculum which progressively builds knowledge and skills.  Students are then encouraged to apply knowledge and skills learnt within individual and group games encouraging co-operation and participation. The curriculum is specially adapted to meet the needs of all of our learners despite their needs and abilities. We have formulated a precise progression document so that teachers and parents can clearly see how knowledge and skills in PE progress as they move through the pathways. Take a look at the PE progression document here.

Each pathway on this website has information on long term planning for PE tailored to each learner.

As additional interventions and to complement our PE curriculum we have a wide variety of physical interventions and teaching approaches.  Details are below:

Trampolining - we have a number of staff who are trained to deliver Rebound Therapy to our students.  This is on a referral basis where the following needs are identified:

  • Strength of limbs
  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Co-ordination
  • Independence
  • Self-confidence
  • Balance
  • Muscle tone
  • Reaction speed
  • Self-image
  • Eye contact
  • Relaxation
  • Freedom of movement
  • Sense of achievement
  • Stamina
  • Spatial awareness
  • Body awareness
  • Social awareness
  • Consideration of others
  • Trust and confidence in Coach/Assistant
  • Colour recognition
  • Height and depth perception

Sporting Tournaments with other Special schools

We engage in a variety of sporting tournaments and Panathlon events with other special schools and the sports cluster.  Students have the opportunity to apply the skills they have learnt in lessons in competitive games and events alongside others students. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in these events by choice and if they are part of the school football club.

Swimming

Highfield students experience and enjoy regular swimming sessions on a rotational basis - we are lucky enough to have use of a local swimming pool. We aspire that all of our students become happy and comfortable in the water and some will go on to become strong, confident swimmers. None of our year 6 cohort currently meet the government target (which does not make allowances for children with SEND) to "swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations" - although this is something that we are working towards with dedicated swimming slots for all of our upper KS2 and KS3 students.

Hydrotherapy

We are lucky enough to have a hydrotherapy pool on site to deliver specific programmes to students with physical needs. This is on a referral basis with specific outcomes and targets allocated.

Jabadao

Developmental Movement Play is a framework for understanding and supporting children's physical development in early childhood.  It builds upon their natural drive to move in ways that will develop confident, expressive, skilled and happy individuals.  It focusses on many kinds of learning - sensory processing and motor development to build relationships in non verbal ways.  Students within the Early Years, Purple and Green pathways participate in Jabadao sessions to further enhance movement and sensory development.  For more information click here.

Yoga

We have adopted a specialist Yoga package and teachers lead sessions with students differentiated for all pathways.  Students develop their physical and mental health within sessions  Students develop body awareness, mindfulness, strength and flexibility.  Our students also have their concentration and memory enhanced through routines.  Students also learn parts of the body and functions which is an excellent cross curricular skill. This is also great for promoting positive health and wellbeing. All students access this as part of our core provision.

Visiting Sports Coaches

We have a visiting sports coach who exposes students to a variety of different sports to widen their interest, knowledge and activity.  This is run as individual lessons on a weekly basis for our yellow and purple pathway and upper school students.

Sports Clubs

We have a range of sports clubs open to all that run each lunchtime.  Students have the option to sign up in classes.

Swimming Tuition

We employ a swimming teacher to assist with teaching of swimming for all of our Key Stage 2 and 3 students to help them work towards the National Curriculum end of year expectations. Please see the reporting tab for information on end of Year 6 outcomes.

Sports Premium

Our Sports Premium spending aims to increase motivation to exercise in our students.  Increased engagement and reporting from both coaches, teachers and outside professionals help to demonstrate this impact.

This is how we use our Sports Premium – click the following link:

Reporting the use of Sports Premium 2024/2025

An overview of the projected spending and anticipated impact for the academic year 2025/2026 is also detailed within the report.

In order to make this provision sustainable we have invested time and funds into in house training.  We have trained our staff in Rebound Therapy so that provision can take place 'in house' rather then hiring outside coaches.  A selection of our staff have also been trained in Aquatic Therapy so that they are well equipped to deliver activities and programmes in our hydrotherapy pool to our students under the guidance of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.