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Introduction
At Diyafah International School, we are committed to promoting physical activity, health, and well-being through a robust Physical Education (PE) and School Sports program. Our policy is designed to enhance students' physical literacy, encourage lifelong participation in physical activity, and support the overall development of students in line with the ADEK Physical Education and School Sports Policy. This policy establishes clear guidelines for the provision of PE and school sports, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all students.
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Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Establish the minimum requirements for the provision of high-quality PE and school sports for all students.
- Encourage students to remain physically active throughout the school day.
- Ensure that the PE curriculum and school sports programs cater to the individual needs of all students, including those with additional learning needs and gifted students.
- Provide eligibility guidelines for PE teachers and coaches and establish professional development requirements for all staff involved in PE and school sports.
- Promote the value of physical literacy and physical activity for life.
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Policy Scope
This policy applies to all students, staff, and external partners involved in PE and school sports at Diyafah International School. The policy ensures that:
- PE and sports programs are inclusive, offering opportunities for students of all abilities to participate.
- Programs are designed to develop students' physical, social, cognitive, and psychological skills.
- Adequate opportunities for physical activity are integrated throughout the school day, beyond just PE lessons.
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School-Based PE and School Sports Policy
4.1 Vision and Mission
Our mission is to provide a comprehensive PE and school sports program that develops students' physical literacy and encourages lifelong engagement in physical activity. We aim to create a school environment where all students are motivated to be physically active, confident in their abilities, and knowledgeable about the benefits of leading a healthy, active lifestyle.
4.2 Daily Physical Activity Target
At Diyafah International School, students will engage in a daily average of at least 30 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) during school hours. This will be achieved through:
- Structured PE lessons.
- Informal and semi-formal physical activities during breaks and recess.
- Classroom-based activity breaks to reduce sedentary time.
- Active transport initiatives such as walking or cycling to school (where applicable).
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Inclusivity and Participation
5.1 Inclusive Participation
We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, participate fully in PE and school sports. This includes:
- Students with Additional Learning Needs: Adjustments will be made in PE classes to ensure participation. Where physical limitations exist, students may be offered alternative roles such as team leader, referee, or scorekeeper.
- Gifted and Talented Students: Students identified as gifted in sports will be provided with appropriate challenges, including opportunities for advanced training and competition.
5.2 Gender Equity
In accordance with the ADEK Coeducation Policy, boys and girls will have equal access to PE and sports activities. Special considerations will be made to ensure both genders are equally supported in their participation and competitive opportunities.
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Physical Literacy Framework
Diyafah International School adopts a *Physical Literacy Framework* that supports the holistic development of students through PE and sports. Our framework focuses on the following outcomes:
- Enjoyment: Students enjoy participating in physical activities.
- Confidence: Students feel confident in their abilities to participate in sports and physical activities.
- Competence: Students develop skills and physical competence through progressive learning.
- Knowledge: Students understand the benefits of physical activity and how to improve their performance.
- Understanding: Students apply their skills and knowledge to engage in lifelong physical activity.
Teachers and coaches will use this framework to design PE lessons and sports activities that are age-appropriate and cater to the needs of all students.
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Competitions and Talent Development
7.1 Healthy Competition
At Diyafah International School, we encourage students to participate in intra- and inter-school competitions. These competitions foster values such as determination, resilience, respect, and teamwork, while promoting sportsmanship and a healthy competitive spirit. Opportunities for participation include:
- Intra-school Competitions: These will introduce all students to the enjoyment and benefits of competition.
- Inter-school Competitions: Students will have opportunities to compete with their peers from other schools in well-matched competitions.
7.2 Talent Development
Gifted and talented students in sports will have access to specialized training and competitions. We will collaborate with local sports clubs and federations to further develop the talents of these students.
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Teacher and Coach Requirements
8.1 PE Teachers
- Eligibility: PE teachers must meet ADEK’s eligibility requirements, including holding the necessary qualifications.
- Professional Development: PE teachers will complete 75 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) annually, focusing on subject-specific training and pedagogy improvement.
8.2 Coaches
- Eligibility: Coaches hired by the school must complete ADEK-endorsed coach training or hold an internationally recognized coaching qualification.
- Professional Development: Coaches must complete 25 hours of CPD annually to maintain and improve their coaching skills.
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Health and Safety
At Diyafah International School, we prioritize the health and safety of students, staff, and external participants in all PE and sports activities. We ensure:
- All PE teachers and coaches are trained in health and safety protocols and maintain accurate records of any incidents.
- Regular risk assessments are conducted on sports equipment and facilities.
- Hydration, sun protection, and weather conditions are monitored to ensure safe participation in outdoor activities.
- Adjustments are made for students with medical conditions to enable their participation in PE and sports.
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PE Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment
The PE curriculum at Diyafah International School will:
- Include a progression of physical, cognitive, and social outcomes designed to promote physical literacy.
- Dedicate at least 80 minutes of timetabled PE per week per student, with a goal of reaching 120 minutes per week when possible.
- Ensure that lessons are inclusive, using pedagogical language that promotes engagement for all students.
- Include assessments to measure student progress and help teachers plan for the next steps in learning.
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School Sports Facilities
Diyafah International School has a range of dedicated sports facilities including:
- Swimming pool (covered)
- Sports hall
- Sports courts (Multi Use Games Areas)
Diyafah International School will work with community partners to make school sports facilities available for extracurricular use, following all ADEK policies. External users must comply with school and ADEK guidelines on student protection and health and safety.
Facilities regularly used for sports events and competitions include:
- Zayed Cricket Stadium (Cricket, Football, Athletics)
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Monitoring and Evaluation
Diyafah International School will develop internal indicators to monitor the effectiveness of the PE and sports program. We will track:
- Average MVPA per student per day.
- Student participation in PE lessons, competitions, and extracurricular activities.
- The participation of students with additional learning needs compared to the overall student population.
Annual reports will be submitted to ADEK, and adjustments will be made to improve the program based on evaluation outcomes.
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Compliance
This policy will be effective from 01.09.2024 with full compliance expected by AY 2024/25. Failure to comply with the policy may result in penalties as per ADEK regulations and Federal Law No. 31 of 2021.
References
- ADEK Physical Education and School Sports Policy
- World Health Organization (WHO) Physical Activity Guidelines
Monitoring & Evaluation Checklist for Compliance
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School-Based PE and School Sports Policy
- Develop and implement a PE and school sports policy.
- Include the school’s vision, mission, strategy, and targets for promoting student physical health.
- Outline the school’s strategy to ensure every student engages in at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily.
- Promote awareness of the importance of physical activity and health to all stakeholders (staff, students, parents).
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Staying Active
- Provide opportunities for students to be physically active during breaks and recess.
- Optimize classroom environments to reduce sitting time and encourage standing, walking, and movement during curriculum time.
- Implement short, frequent activity breaks during classes.
- Engage stakeholders to increase awareness of sports programs and activities.
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Inclusive Participation
- Ensure all students participate in designated PE classes.
- Provide alternative roles (e.g., team leader, referee) if students cannot fully participate in physical activities.
- Make reasonable adjustments to lesson content for students with additional learning needs and gifted/talented students.
- Ensure equal opportunities for girls, students with additional learning needs, and gifted students in PE and school sports, including competitions.
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Physical Literacy Framework
- Develop a physical literacy framework focusing on physical, social, cognitive, and psychological outcomes (e.g., enjoyment, confidence, competence, knowledge, understanding).
- Use the framework to support PE teachers and coaches in planning lessons and activities.
- Communicate the importance of physical literacy to teachers, coaches, and parents.
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Competitions and Talent Development
- Provide opportunities for all students to participate in intra- and inter-school competitions.
- Ensure competitions are inclusive, adapting them to the abilities of all students.
- Engage in talent identification and development for gifted and talented students, ensuring they have access to competitions and advanced training.
- Collaborate with local sports clubs or national federations to offer opportunities for gifted students.
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Teacher and Coach Requirements
PE Teachers:
- Hire qualified PE teachers in line with ADEK’s Staff Eligibility Policy.
- Ensure PE teachers complete 75 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) annually.
Coaches:
- Ensure coaches complete ADEK-endorsed coach training or hold recognized coaching qualifications.
- Provide 25 hours of CPD for coaches annually.
- Ensure coaches provided by external vendors meet qualifications and safety requirements.
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Health and Safety
- Adopt health and safety guidelines specific to PE and sports.
- Conduct regular risk assessments on facilities and equipment.
- Maintain accurate records of health and safety incidents.
- Ensure staff are aware of students’ medical conditions and modify activities as needed.
- Ensure students stay hydrated and have sun protection measures in place for outdoor activities.
- Regularly check weather conditions before outdoor activities and adjust plans accordingly.
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PE Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment
- Develop and implement a written PE curriculum that includes progressive outcomes across physical, social, cognitive, and psychological domains.
- Ensure the curriculum promotes the development of movement skills, physical literacy, and knowledge of a healthy lifestyle.
- Allocate at least 60 minutes of timetabled PE per week for students, with a goal of 120 minutes when possible.
- Develop appropriate assessments to measure student progress in PE.
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Monitoring and Evaluation
- Develop internal indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the PE and school sports program.
- Track students' average daily MVPA.
- Monitor and report the average number of PE minutes per week per student.
- Track participation in extracurricular sports, events, and competitions, including the participation of students with additional learning needs.
- Report all relevant data to ADEK annually.
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School Sports Facilities
- Ensure that school sports facilities are safe and maintained.
- When renting facilities to external partners, restrict access to the rest of the school and ensure external users sign the school’s Student Protection Policy.
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Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with the policy by AY 2024/25, with legal accountability for non-compliance.