At Harrow Way Community School, our Physical Education department is committed to nurturing confident, resilient students who embrace physical activity, teamwork and personal growth. Over Key Stage 3, we provide a broad and inclusive programme that not only develops sporting ability, but also character, leadership and an understanding of health and wellbeing. Through a diverse range of sports and activities, students are encouraged to adopt a mindset of perseverance, respect and collaboration — laying the foundations for lifelong participation in physical activity.

In Years 7 and 8, students undertake our Foundation Curriculum, where the focus lies on building four core themes: Skill, Stamina, Strategy and Sportsmanship. These themes run throughout each unit and provide a clear structure: students learn and refine fundamental physical skills and techniques, build their fitness and endurance, develop tactical awareness and apply strategies in game scenarios, and cultivate positive attitudes and behaviours in a sporting context. This stage gives every pupil a secure base of physical literacy and personal growth through engaging units across sports such as football, netball, rugby, badminton, gymnastics, hockey and athletics.

In Year 9, the Development Curriculum takes students’ learning further by enhancing their technical proficiency, tactical understanding and athletic performance within each core sport. Students refine sport-specific skills, apply advanced strategies and continue to strengthen their stamina, coordination, speed and agility. Assessment focuses on four areas: demonstrating skill execution, maintaining physical fitness, making effective tactical decisions and problem-solving, and collaborating safely and fairly with others. This stage of the curriculum encourages greater independence and reflection, preparing students for the challenges of Key Stage 4 PE and lifelong engagement in physical activity.