Each Primary school receives Primary PE and Sports funding by the government to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of PE and sport on offer in school.

The national vision for the Primary PE and Sport Premium is to ensure:

‘ALL pupils leaving primary school physically literate and with the knowledge, skills and motivation necessary to equip them for a healthy, active lifestyle and lifelong participation in physical activity and sport’

To achieve self-sustaining improvement in the quality of PE and sport in primary schools. It is important to emphasise that the focus of spending must lead to long lasting impact against the vision (above) that will live on well beyond the Primary PE and Sport Premium funding.

It is expected that schools will see an improvement against the following 5 key indicators:

1.The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity – kick-starting healthy active lifestyles

2.The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement

3.Increased confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport

4.Broader experience of a range of sports and activities offered to all pupils

5.Increased participation in competitive sport

In addition to this the school must also meet National Curriculum requirements for swimming and water safety.

At St. Therese of Lisieux, there are many ways in which we utilise such funding to support our commitment promoting PE and sport across the curriculum.

At St Therese, we are using the funding to work with Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) and Jamie Poole Sports in order to give our young people the best opportunities in Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity. As a school we are working towards the Gold Mark for the NPCAT Trust Mark as well as our commitment to the School Sports Programme with Stockton partnerships, of which we are currently awarded Gold. 

The partnership with NPCAT will support teaching staff to work with our pupils with a focus on providing opportunities to engage and compete in a wide range of sport festivals or physical activity throughout the academic year. As part of the partnership, we also receive access to staff and subject leader continuous professional development, entry into all school and cluster schools competitions. In addition, teaching staff have opportunities to work alongside Sports Development Coaches to develop effective planning teaching to improve outcomes for children.

We have been represented at many festivals and tournaments throughout the year such as, basketball,netball, hockey, cricket, dodge-ball, cross country, indoor athletics and football including the Lee Stephenson Cup.

St Therese employs a specialist sports coach to deliver CPD for staff. In addition our sports coach provides a range of after school sports clubs thus providing pupils access to a range of sporting activities. Our trained sports coaches deliver the sessions, develop skills and arrange competitive matches against other local primary schools.

In addition to supporting the delivery of the PE curriculum; our sports coach delivers weekly stamina and fitness training for KS2 pupils. We have also identified pupils who require further support with physical development and coordination and our sports coach delivers targeted physical intervention programmes for such pupils, as well as working with our gifted and talented children to help improve their life chances.

Funding has also supported leadership opportunities for our pupils; twelve pupils are trained as School Sport Leaders who support children in our school with break and lunchtime challenges in order to keep children active and motivated.

We have annual health and well-being week in school where the focus is on improving healthy lifestyles and well-being. Children try new things, undertake outdoor and adventurous activities. This year the focus is on healthy minds and developing a growth mindset and relaxation techniques.

We use funding to transport our children to and from venues in the local area whilst participating in a range of competitive sports as mentioned above. 

See below for further information regarding how we spend our Sports Premium Funding.