Our approach to Physical Education at Morton Academy is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond United Learning, in the interests of young people everywhere. We summarise this ethos as ‘the best in everyone’. 

Our department vision is for Morton Academy’s values to be brought to life through high quality physical education, school sport and health-promoting physical activity so that every young person is:

• Ambitious – to excel: to be the best they can be in and through PE and sport;
• Confident – to participate, perform and lead;
• Creative – in their decision-making and in finding solutions to increasingly complex challenges;
• Respectful – of themselves, their peers and all adults involved in their sporting life, whether they be teachers, coaches, officials, medical staff etc;
• Enthusiastic – about engaging in physical activity and sport in school, out of school and beyond school life;
• Determined – to persist in overcoming obstacles, to lead healthy lifestyles and to achieve their best.

At Key Stage 3, students have 1 x 100 minutes of core PE per week.  Students have the choice as to which pathway they pursue throughout Year 7, 8 and 9. Students will make progress by attaining 9 KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) each year which are based on age related expectations.  If students select Pathway 1, they will progress towards achieving all KPI’s in the following physical activities: Football, Rugby, Orienteering, Badminton, Fitness, Athletics and a Striking and Fielding activity.  For those who prefer Pathway 2, they will progress towards achieving all KPI’s through participation in Netball, Dance, Orienteering, Badminton, Fitness, Athletics and a Striking and Fielding activity. Other sports and physical activities are available to our students as part of our extra-curriculum and co-curriculum clubs.

At Key Stage 4, students have 1 x 100 minutes of core PE per week. All of our students are directed towards sporting specialisms and interests so that levels of motivation remain high.  At this stage students are provided with a choice of activity to take part in for a half term or full term.  After progress has been made, students are encouraged to develop other activities to allow them to broaden their skillset.  Students will tackle complex and demanding physical activities, as well as those that develop personal fitness and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.

Alongside the core Physical Education lessons at Morton Academy, we also deliver PE related qualifications. 

We offer Level 1/2 GCSE Physical Education (Edexcel).

Our intention is to deliver the ‘Best in Everyone’ through PE and sport.  At United Learning, a working group of subject leaders developed a PE and Health Curriculum and Assessment Framework (PEHCAF).  Both the curriculum and assessment framework has been adapted to suit the context of Morton Academy and the community in which it serves.

Morton Academy’s PE framework has three strands:

• Fit to Perform – development of practical performance and analysis skills
• Fit to Lead – Developing communication skills, values and character
• Fit for Life – Physical conditioning, psychological well-being and developing life-long participation in physical activity.

All of which have PHYSICAL ACTIVITY at the heart.

Our curriculum maps indicate our progressive approach to teaching PE whereby each student is provided with ample opportunity to succeed in 9 Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) that are linked to age related expectations.  The progress that students make throughout each academic year is also built upon year by year as students grow and develop. Learning is differentiated to meet the needs of all our individual students and we provide opportunities for our students to make informed choice as to their PE pathway through KS3.  Our curriculum implementation prepares students for the rigors of KS4 Academic and Vocational courses, but also provides a platform to develop a lifelong appreciation of physical activity and sport.   

Our PE curriculum is:

• Broad – with a range of different activities on offer.
• Balanced – team games alongside individual sports and physical activity.
• Inclusive – lessons are not only differentiated for individual needs  but pupils can opt in to pathways that suit them and their interests from the very beginning of year 7. 
• Health Promoting – Practical lessons are supported by the theory surrounding health and fitness.

In addition, we have an inclusive and broad school sport programme which include football, netball, athletics, rugby and badminton to name a few.  These are well attended extra-curricular and co-curricular sessions that take place after school on particular days of the week.  These sessions not only provide further opportunity to participate on physical activity, but also supplement the learning that is taking place during the PE curriculum at KS3 and KS4.

The development of cultural capital in Physical Education is through an accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that students can draw upon and which demonstrates their cultural awareness, knowledge and competence.  The areas of cultural capital that we refer to within our units of work and individual lessons remain as up to date as possible in an ever-changing world. Cultural capital that students will gain from Physical Education at Morton Academy range from knowledge and awareness of practical sport performances (local, national and international) to the most current and up to date health and fitness advice and guidance from relevant local, national and international bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO). Students will draw upon this to be successful in society, their career and the world of work.  Cultural capital that is linked to Physical Education and Sport becomes even more developed in our Academic and Vocational courses at KS4 where students explore the world of media in sport, socio-cultural influences, health and wellbeing, and many more.

As well as progressively improving their knowledge, skills and understanding, through the PE curriculum pupils will also develop their character, their leadership skills and be given opportunities to show their creative flair. The PE curriculum will support and improve pupils’ physical and mental well-being as it prepares pupils for a life of health-enhancing physical activity through our core values.

In Physical Education we value the importance of careers education, especially the development of the skills that are required for our students to have the best start in their chosen career pathway.  We have a commitment to developing leadership and employability skills in young people through PE and sport, with our curriculum carefully designed to enable achievement of our KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) in our ‘Fit to Lead’ and ‘Fit for Life’ strands. 

We often explore jobs and careers that are linked to Physical Education, Sport and Health with our KS4 courses providing a solid platform for our students to progress onto their next stage of career path. 

Mr Karl Wilson - Subject Leader

Miss Claire Nugent - PE Teacher

Mr Mark Evans - PE Teacher

Mr Will Tyler - PE Teacher

Mr Tom Devlin - PE Teacher

Mrs Joanne Stephens - PE Teacher

Miss Lisa Leigh - PE Teacher

Miss Eve White - PE Teacher