About SkillStart
Developed by practising primary school teachers, SkillStart Primary is a complete, 'pick-up-and-go' Physical Education scheme designed to help schools consistently deliver fun, high-quality, and inclusive PE lessons. Built on extensive classroom research, our curriculum uses a skills-based approach, fostering progressive development to ensure every pupil can build confidence and achieve.
We empower all teachers to deliver outstanding PE with ease. Every unit features:
Open full size Save precious planning time, ensure progression across all key stages, and bring the joy back to teaching PE.
Open full size We continuously expand our curriculum library with fresh, high-quality lesson plans to bring lasting value to your school. By regularly updating our SkillStart content, we give educators and pupils access to a broad and dynamic range of PE and games activities. Teachers using SkillStart report high levels of student engagement, noting how pupils from all backgrounds and ability levels participate with enthusiasm. Every resource has the potential to make physical activity enjoyable, inclusive, and rewarding for every child.
Open full size SkillStart supports your school's Personal Development outcomes by embedding character building, resilience, and healthy lifestyle choices directly into the primary PE curriculum.
Nurturing the Whole Child Through Movement
PE is about far more than just physical fitness. SkillStart Primary is designed to support every area of a child's development - helping pupils build the physical confidence, emotional resilience, and social skills they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Open full size Our 4 core values
Open full sizeHow SkillStart aligns with the National Curriculum (September 2026)
SkillStart Primary is explicitly aligned with the Ofsted PE Research Review, helping schools demonstrate clear Intent, Implementation, and Impact. Our structured curriculum provides a high-quality, progressive PE framework that satisfies inspection standards while driving real outcomes for your pupils.
From research to lessons
The Ofsted PE Research Review emphasises that high-quality physical education relies on building secure motor competence, logical learning sequences, and practical skill application.
SkillStart Primary transforms research into practice through:
- Sequenced Schemes of Work: Step-by-step units engineered for seamless progression across every year group.
- Skills-First Lesson Design: Focused teaching that breaks down fundamental movement patterns before introducing complex play.
- Embedded STEP Adaptations: Tailored learning pathways that keep lessons inclusive and appropriately challenging for all abilities.
- Purposeful Application: Interactive games and activities that put new skills directly into practice.
This ensures pupils don't just stay active - they build competence, grow confidence, and achieve lasting success.
Links to the PE & Sport Premium
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