SMC PE Department cited by DfE for exemplar practice
10th April 2024
St Mary's College is proud to announce recognition from the Department for Education (DfE) in a recent publication, which highlights SMC amongst other exemplar schools across the country, as a beacon of best practice in its latest non-statutory guidance released in March 2024, entitled "Enhancing physical education provision and improving access to sport and physical activity in school" which sets a benchmark for PE provision in schools nationwide.
At the heart of this acknowledgment lies SMC’s commitment that every student benefits from a minimum of 2 hours of curriculum PE every week and strategic intent to ensuring the physical well-being and development of its students. By prioritising physical activity and sport within the curriculum, SMC not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also instils valuable life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline among its students.
Working closely with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) the PE department ensures robust physical education (PE) provision within its curriculum, this partnership has demonstrated the innovative approaches SMC PE Department takes to incorporating PE into the school timetable effectively and designing engaging and inclusive PE lessons that cater to the diverse needs and interests of the 2300 + students at the school. This also ensures that the quality of PE provision remains consistently high, fostering a positive and enriching experience for students across all year groups.
Having previously been awarded Schools Sports College status, St Mary's College continues to champion the importance of PE and physical activity, it serves as an inspiring example for other educational institutions looking to enhance their own provision in this critical area. SMC remains dedicated to nurturing the physical potential of every student in its care.
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