Athletics - Unit Overview

The Athletics unit for Year 1 pupils serves as an introduction to the fundamental aspects of athletics, expanding upon the basic skills they have previously encountered in games lessons. This represents their first formal encounter with athletics as part of the curriculum. The unit is structured to develop a variety of skills, including running, jumping, throwing, and coordination, all of which are essential for athletic activities. The teaching tips provided emphasize the importance of modelling skills, assessing individual pupil needs for skill development, and adjusting lesson timings to accommodate one-hour sessions that include changing times and equipment management.

The Medium Term Plan outlines a series of six lessons, each with specific learning objectives and success criteria. The first lesson focuses on developing the ability to run quickly from a standing start, enhancing speed and basic coordination. Subsequent lessons aim to build on these skills, with objectives that include jumping and throwing with agility and rhythm, running and kicking for accuracy, and improving hand-eye coordination through throwing and catching activities. The fifth and sixth lessons involve bowling and stepping, and throwing and skipping, respectively, with an emphasis on throwing skills, spatial awareness, and accurate timing. Each lesson is designed to help pupils progress in their athletic abilities and gain confidence in their physical competencies.