KS1 · Year 1 · National Curriculum Aligned
Year 1 PE Scheme of Work
In Year 1, pupils build the fundamental movement skills that underpin all physical activity. Lessons focus on developing confidence, coordination and control in a range of contexts: gymnastics, dance, games and athletics. The emphasis is on enjoyment, exploration and effort rather than performance or competition.
Pupils begin to understand simple rules, work alongside others and take turns. They develop early physical literacy — the ability, confidence and desire to be physically active — that will support healthy lifestyles and sporting participation throughout their lives.
At a glance
Units
6 half-term units
Key stage
KS1
Year group
Year 1
NC alignment
Full programmes of study
Expected prior knowledge
- ✓Gross motor skills developed through EYFS physical development, including running, jumping, throwing and climbing
- ✓Early coordination and balance from outdoor play and PE in Reception
- ✓Experience of moving to music and basic spatial awareness
- ✓Ability to listen, follow simple instructions and take turns
Units across the year
Six half-term units covering all strands of the KS2 PE programme of study.
Autumn 1Athletics
Fundamental Movement Skills
National Curriculum objectives
- –To master basic movements including running, jumping, throwing and catching
- –To develop balance, agility and coordination
- –To begin to apply basic movements across a range of activities
Key activities
- –Running in different directions, speeds and pathways
- –Jumping for height and distance from two feet and landing safely
- –Rolling, catching and throwing a variety of balls
- –Obstacle courses designed to test balance, coordination and agility
- –Paired games to develop tracking and catching skills
Key vocabulary
runjumpthrowcatchbalancecoordinatecontrolagility
Autumn 2Gymnastics
Gymnastics: Body Shapes and Balances
National Curriculum objectives
- –To develop flexibility, strength and control in gymnastics
- –To perform and hold a range of body shapes and balances
- –To copy, repeat and explore simple gymnastics actions
Key activities
- –Exploring body shapes: wide, narrow, twisted, curled and stretched
- –Practising point balances (1, 2 and 3 points of contact) and patch balances
- –Travelling between balances using rolls, slides and jumps
- –Working with a partner to match and mirror shapes
- –Creating a short sequence of two shapes joined by a travelling action
Key vocabulary
balanceshapestretchcurlwidenarrowsequencecontrol
Spring 1Dance
Dance: Exploring Movement
National Curriculum objectives
- –To perform dances using simple movement patterns
- –To explore how to use the body expressively to respond to stimuli
- –To move with some control and coordination to music
Key activities
- –Warm-up games exploring spatial awareness and moving to a beat
- –Exploring action words: float, shake, stamp, creep, spin
- –Learning a short taught phrase of 8 counts and repeating it
- –Responding to different music styles by changing speed, level and direction
- –Creating and sharing a short movement sequence with a partner
Key vocabulary
moveexpressrhythmleveldirectionspeedresponsephrase
Spring 2Games
Games: Target Games
National Curriculum objectives
- –To master basic movement skills in the context of target games
- –To develop aiming, throwing and rolling accuracy
- –To begin to play by simple rules and take turns
Key activities
- –Rolling a ball at skittles and adjusting aim with feedback
- –Throwing beanbags and balls at targets at different distances
- –Playing simple team target games including skittles and cone bowling
- –Discussing fairness: why rules matter in games
- –Counting and recording scores using simple tally methods
Key vocabulary
targetaimrollthrowaccuracyscorerulefair
Summer 1Athletics
Athletics: Running and Jumping
National Curriculum objectives
- –To develop running for speed and for distance
- –To improve jumping for height and distance with good technique
- –To begin to time and measure athletic performance
Key activities
- –Sprint races over short distances with coaching on arm drive and starting position
- –Sustained running over longer distances: building from 1 to 3 minutes continuous
- –Standing broad jump: takeoff, flight and landing technique
- –Vertical jump: measuring improvement over the unit
- –Mini athletics festival with friendly competition and celebration of effort
Key vocabulary
sprintdistancejumptakeofflandpacemeasureeffort
Summer 2Swimming
Outdoor and Water Activity
National Curriculum objectives
- –To develop confidence and basic aquatic skills (swimming) or outdoor movement skills (OAA)
- –To begin to manage their own safety in outdoor or water environments
- –To work cooperatively on outdoor challenges
Key activities
- –Swimming: water confidence, floating, kicking and introductory stroke development
- –Alternative (where pool is unavailable): orienteering basics using picture maps of the school grounds
- –Simple team challenges: parachute games and cooperative movement tasks
- –Discussing safety rules for outdoor and aquatic environments
- –Reflecting on personal improvement over the unit
Key vocabulary
floatswimsafetycooperatechallengeorienteeringoutdoorconfidence
Progression into Year 2
In Year 2, pupils build on fundamental skills with greater emphasis on using them purposefully in games, gymnastic sequences and dance compositions. They begin to understand tactics in simple games, develop more sustained gymnastic sequences and explore storytelling through dance.
Individual lesson plans
Full lesson frameworks — learning objectives, vocabulary, lesson structure, and common misconceptions — for each unit in this scheme.
View all Year 1 PE lesson plans →