Physical Education and School Sport play a prominent role in the life of Hatherleigh Primary School.

We follow the aims of the National Curriculum ensuring that children develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time, engage in competitive sports and activities and ultimately lead healthy, active lives.

We address these aims in 5 different ways.

• High quality PE lessons.

Each class teacher delivers high quality PE lessons.  A number of classes also receive lessons led by a sports specialist from agencies outside of school.  In this way, we are able to provide quality expertise while at the same time keeping the class teacher at the heart of class provision. Interventions, such as Funfit, are run to address the needs of  specific children.  

• Daily Physical Activity

Playtimes are very active, with children free to play games of their choosing, often with a very active element involved.  Year 5 children take on the role of play leaders while equipment is provided to encourage active play.  The children are responsible for facilitating some of these games through caring for the equipment and organising impromptu games when required.

• After school clubs

We offer a range of active after-school clubs, from traditional sports such as football, netball, hockey and cross-country, to more skills-based clubs such as multiskills and athletics to lifestyle-based activities such as gardening club.  We are always looking for ways to offer more clubs to children and engage more children in physical activity. We also have close links to community clubs in Hatherleigh and Okehampton and sign post children to clubs they may wish to pursue outside of school.

• Competitive Activities

The school takes part in a number of competitive events with schools from across the area with the aim that every child should have the opportunity to represent the school at least once.  Whilst we endeavour to be competitive, the focus of these events is to foster the core values of teamwork, respect, discipline, sportsmanship and enjoyment.

• Outdoor Activities

Being in a rural setting, the outdoor environment is very important to school life.  Each class has access to the field and woodland area and these are used regularly. The Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 residential visits all comprise outdoor activities with a good progression provided across each visit.  Every September we participate in a whole school walk through the local fields, admiring the sites so nearby – it is a wonderful event encouraging teamwork, friendship, nature and local community links.