OUR APPROACH TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT BIS ABU DHABI

Foundation Stage

Foundation Stage 1 classes are taught one 25 minute swimming lesson as well as one 25 minute PE lesson per week. In Foundation stage 2, students receive one 25 minute swimming lesson combined with a 50 minutes PE lesson per week.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 – 2)

Students are taught one 50 minute lesson of PE and one 50 minute lesson of swimming per week. In order to keep the curriculum varied and broad, students change their activities/units of study after 6 weeks.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6)

Students are taught one 100 minute lesson of PE per week. The students follow 4-5 week blocks of PE throughout the school year. Students will access between 14-17 hours of swimming per term. 

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9)

Students are taught one 100 minute lesson of PE per week. The students follow 4-5 week blocks of PE throughout the school year. Students will access between 14-17 hours of swimming per term.
 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 -11)

Year 10 and Year 11 consists of two lessons of 50 minute periods a week for the majority of students. 

Students will be provided with a number of enrichment opportunities throughout the year in order to further inspire and engage our students into continuing their participation in health-related exercise, sport and physical activity.

Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE PE

The department run a full course GCSE in Physical Education and follow the EDEXCEL programme. This involves three lessons a week and is split between one theory and two practical lessons.

The GCSE course itself is split 40% practical coursework and 60% theory, which has an external examination paper at the end of Year 11. During the practical element of the course the students are assessed at three practical activities. In addition to this, they must plan a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP) and an Analysis of Performance examination.

Physical curriculum outline and aims

Throughout each year group four of the following range and content of the National Curriculum are reflected through the different activities undertaken including:

• Outwitting opponents, as in games activities.
• Accurate replication of actions, phrases and sequences, as in gymnastic activities.
• Exploring and communicating ideas, concepts and emotions, as in dance activities.
• Performing at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength or accuracy, as in athletic activities.
• Identifying and solving problems to overcome challenges of an adventurous nature, as in life saving and personal survival in swimming and outdoor activities.
• Exercising safely and effectively to improve health and wellbeing, as in fitness and health activities.

Through a broad and balanced programme, your child will be taught how to be physically active, developing co-ordination, control and body management. They will be involved in problem-solving, communication with others and team-building. Students will be encouraged to understand the importance of a healthy life style through the participation and enjoyment of a variety of activities and environments.

Dance with The Juilliard School

Our collaboration with The Juilliard School involves interactive and fun fitness through dance for our FS, KS1, KS2 and KS3 children.

Year 1 and Year 2 classes receive a twenty-five minute dance lesson per week delivered by a dance specialist. Co-curricular activities for dance run throughout the year in a newly-created designated dance space to support our ambitious plans to become the regions’ leading dance centre of excellence.

Swimming

Swimming at BIS Abu Dhabi is at the core of the PE curriculum and extracurricular activities.

With 2 swimming pools, we are able to provide a range of options and lessons to suit the needs of our students.

Our indoor teaching pool is an excellent venue for students from Nursery to Year 2. It is there where we lay the foundations for a love of swimming and children learn to swim over a short distance using a variety of strokes and skills.

The programme runs all year round and each student has access to one swimming lesson per week.

From Year 3 and above, students transfer to our training pool. This is a modern 6 x 25 meter pool with an overflow system, touch pads for electronic timing and rubber flooring for safety.
Students have access to three blocks of 6 to 8 weeks of aquatic lessons. Lessons vary from swimming, water polo, aqua fit and personal survivor.

FAST – Falcon Swim Team

The school swim team trains all year round with access to multiple sessions per week, including land base training for general and specific athleticism.

Each academic year students must attend trials if they wish to be considered and join the team. The team participates in ADISSA swim league, BSME swimming championships and other available swimming events. 

Sport for all

We believe that every student should be given the opportunity to achieve their sporting potential. Our inclusive approach to sports ensures that students of all abilities are encouraged to be the best they possibly can. 

All lessons from Foundation Stage to Year 2 are taught in mixed genders and ability groups. Lessons from Year 3 – 11 are taught in single-gender groups. Groups are differentiated into ‘extension’ and ‘development’ cohorts. Further differentiation happens within the lesson in order to assist all students to work at a level that is both challenging and tangible.