Physical Education & Dance

What We Study

The PE curriculum at Newlands is built around three core aims:

Participation — offering a wide range of activities so every student can find something they enjoy.
Performance — providing competitive opportunities that allow our most talented sportswomen to excel.
Passion — inspiring a lifelong love of sport and active, healthy living.

Across all key stages, students experience an inclusive, engaging and high quality PE curriculum that develops physical competence, confidence and resilience.

Key Stage 3

Students build on the fundamental movement skills developed in primary school. They take part in a broad range of sports and physical activities, learning teamwork, communication and leadership. Lessons encourage students to reflect on success and setbacks, helping them develop confidence and resilience.

Key Stage 4

Core PE focuses on developing leadership, independence and a deeper understanding of physical activity. Students continue to participate in a wide range of sports, with opportunities to take on roles such as coach, official or team leader. Those with a strong interest in the subject can choose GCSE PE, where they link practical performance to more advanced theoretical concepts.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 students can choose to follow the A Level PE course. This offers exceptional academic teaching, enabling students to develop a deeper breadth and depth of knowledge of the theory components. Alongside the theory element of the course, students demonstrate their practical abilities through submission of filmed evidence of their performances and link their theory and practical knowledge through an analysis task for their NEA.

Extra Curricular Sport

Our extensive extra curricular programme offers more than 20 sports and activities throughout the year. Clubs cater for all abilities — from recreational sessions to competitive squads selected by performance. Students regularly compete in local leagues, county and regional competitions, and in sports such as netball, gymnastics and athletics, teams and individuals have represented the school at national level.
Inter house competitions further promote participation, teamwork and community spirit.

Student Leadership

Sports Captains from KS4 and KS5 play a vital role in supporting the department. They act as role models, help run clubs and squads, lead warm ups and drills, choreograph routines and officiate across a range of sports. Their leadership strengthens our inclusive sporting culture and inspires younger students.