Physical Education Curriculum

Foundation Stage

Foundation stage 1 classes are taught one 25 minute swimming lesson as well as one 25 minute PE lesson per week. In Foundation stage 2, students receive one 25 minute swimming lesson combined with a 55 minutes PE lesson per week.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 – 2)

Students are taught one 55 minute lesson of PE and one 55 minute lesson of swimming per week. In order to keep the curriculum varied and broad, students change their activities/units of study after 6 weeks.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6)

Students are taught one 110 minute lesson of PE per week. The students follow 4-5 week blocks of PE throughout the school year. Students will access between 14-17 hours of swimming per term. 

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9)

Students are taught one 110 minute lesson of PE per week. The students follow 4-5 week blocks of PE throughout the school year. Students will access between 14-17 hours of swimming per term. 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 -11)

Year 10 and Year 11 consists of two lessons of 55 minute periods a week for the majority of students. 

Students will be provided with a number of enrichment opportunities throughout the year in order to further inspire and engage our students into continuing their participation in health-related exercise, sport and physical activity.

Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE PE

The department run a full course GCSE in Physical Education and follow the EDEXCEL programme. This involves three lessons a week and is split between one theory and two practical lessons.

The GCSE course itself is split 40% practical coursework and 60% theory, which has an external examination paper at the end of Year 11. During the practical element of the course the students are assessed at three practical activities. In addition to this, they must plan a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP) and an Analysis of Performance examination.

Curriculum Outline and Aims

Throughout each year group four of the following range and content of the National Curriculum are reflected through the different activities undertaken including;

• Outwitting opponents, as in games activities
• Accurate replication of actions, phrases and sequences, as in gymnastic activities
• Exploring and communicating ideas, concepts and emotions, as in dance activities
• Performing at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength or accuracy, as in athletic activities
• Identifying and solving problems to overcome challenges of an adventurous nature, as in life saving and personal survival in swimming and outdoor activities
• Exercising safely and effectively to improve health and wellbeing, as in fitness and health activities.

Through a broad and balanced programme, students will be taught to be physically active, developing co-ordination, control and body management. They will be involved in problem-solving, communication with others and team-building. Students  will be encouraged to understand the importance of a healthy life style through participation in and enjoyment of a variety of activities and environments.

Juilliard Dance

In order to support the Nord Anglia Education and Juilliard Performing Arts School partnership, the PE department have developed FS, KS2 and KS3 schemes of learning extending the provision for Dance in KS1. 

Year 1 and Year 2 classes  receive a twenty-five minute dance lesson per week delivered by a dance specialist. Co-curricular activities for Dance run throughout the year in a newly-created designated dance space to support our ambitious plans to become the regions’ leading Dance centre of excellence.

Swimming

BIS Abu Dhabi works in partnership with Neptunes Swim Academy to deliver a high quality swim program to our students during lessons. Neptunes Swim Academy have an outstanding reputation around Abu Dhabi and have assisted hundreds of children learn to swim, and coached swimmers who compete in national championships.

Sport for all

We believe that every student should be given the opportunity to achieve their potential. Subsequently we seek to ensure that students of all abilities are encouraged to be the best they possibly can. By this rationale, the department believes that both 'Sport for All' and Elite sporting performance can flourish side by side.

All lessons from Foundation Stage to Year 2 are taught mixed gender, mixed ability groups. Lessons from Year 3 – 11 are taught as single gender groups. Groups are differentiated into ‘extension’ and ‘development’ cohorts. Further differentiation happens within the lesson in order to assist all students to work at a level that is both challenging and tangible.