Academic
Departments
Physical Education (PE)
Head of Department: Mrs K M Gardens
Why study GCSE Physical Education?
GCSE Physical Education gives pupils the opportunity to gain a fully recognised qualification in a subject that intrinsically motivates them. It provides a good basis for AS and A Level study in Physical Education, which are both recognised for Higher Education entry alongside the more traditional subjects. Alternatively it could lead to a vocationally related course in Leisure and Recreation.
A-Level Physical Education
The course forms a link between the practical performance and relevant theoretical knowledge. As well as being encouraged to improve your skills in two specialist activities, you will learn that successful sporting performance draws on a wide body of knowledge and understanding, including areas of anatomy and physiology, psychology and sociology.
Examination Board: AQA
Why study Physical Education?
GCSE Physical Education gives pupils the opportunity to gain a fully recognised qualification in a subject that intrinsically motivates them. It provides a good basis for AS and A Level study in Physical Education, which are both recognised for Higher Education entry alongside the more traditional subjects. Alternatively it could lead to a vocationally related course in Leisure and Recreation.
You will study:
The course is made up of theory and practical components. In the practical work they will have the opportunity to develop their skills in a wide range of sports. As well as working to improve their own personal performance level, these sessions are also designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of the sports so that they could adopt various roles including coach and referee.
The theory course covers the following components:
Health-related fitness:
Students investigate aspects of fitness and training and consider factors that affect performance such as diet. They will gain an understanding of the importance of a healthy active lifestyle.
Sport in Society:
Here students consider the characteristics and benefits of leisure and recreation. They will also study the effect of cultural and social factors, the role of the school, sponsorship and the media on participation in sport.
Assessment:
Coursework (60%): The practical work is assessed internally throughout the course. The marks in four sports are submitted and these must be taken from set activity groups. They cannot, for example, all be racquet sports. In addition, students can be assessed as officials or coaches in their sports.
Examination (40%): There is a 1½ hour examination at the end of the course with multiple-choice and short answer questions. There will also be extended answer questions based on a scenario issued prior to the examination.
Examination Board: OCR
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
GCSE Physical Education is not a pre-requisite for following this subject at A Level, although it does provide useful background information. Generally candidates should be interested in sport and keen to understand how the human body is able to respond to the demands of the sports environment and the role that sport plays in society. You do not need to be a top class performer, but you must be prepared to take advantage of all the opportunities for improving personal skill that exist outside the curriculum.
What will I learn on this course?
The course forms a link between the practical performance and relevant theoretical knowledge. As well as being encouraged to improve your skills in two specialist activities, you will learn that successful sporting performance draws on a wide body of knowledge and understanding, including areas of anatomy and physiology, psychology and sociology.
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
You must understand that the course is not about providing you with the chance to play sport. You must have the desire to approach this course with the academic commitment required by any other subject.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
The leisure industry continues to expand and opportunities such as leisure facility management, coaching, and outdoor education provision are plentiful. Teaching is another linked profession, but the really good news is that this A Level is fully accredited and accepted by all Further Education institutions alongside the more traditional disciplines and thus choosing this subject does not just lead to directly related careers but opens many more doors in addition.
Year 12 AS Course
Unit 1: An Introduction to Physical Education (AS 60%, A 30%)
The work in this module is broken into three components:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Acquiring Movement Skills
- Socio-Cultural Studies relating to participation in physical activity
In the first of these you will learn how various systems of the body, such as muscular, skeletal and circulatory, combine in order to produce human movement in a sporting context. In the second component we consider how performers learn skills and we apply this knowledge to discovering the best ways in which coaches and teachers can work with their students. In the third component we examine the role played by sport in society.
This unit is assessed through external examination at the end of Year 12.
Unit 2: Coursework (AS 40%, A 20%)
You will select two activities, which must come from different activity profiles.
Activity Profiles
Example Activities
Athletics Activities:
Athletics
Combat Activities:
Judo
Dance Activities:
Dance
Gymnastics Activities:
Gymnastics
Invasion Games:
Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Football, Netball
Net/Wall Games:
Squash, Volleyball, Badminton, Tennis or Table Tennis
Striking/Fielding Games:
Cricket or Rounders
Target Games:
Golf
Outdoor/Adventurous:
Sailing, Canoeing, Hill Walking, Skiing or Horse-riding
Swimming Activities:
Competitive Swimming, Life-saving
Exercise Activities:
Circuit training
This unit is assessed internally at the end of Year 12.
In this unit you are assessed performing in conditioned competitive situations. You can also choose to be assessed in coaching or officiating rather than as a performer in one of your sports. In addition, there is an assessment of your skills in evaluating performance in one of your sports.
Year 13 A2 Course
Unit 3: Optional Topics (A 35%)
We have chosen to deliver the following modules from those offered by the board:
- Historical Studies
- Exercise Physiology
- Psychology or Biomechanics
In historical studies we study the development of sport during key historical periods. In psychology students learn how the power of the mind can provide the winning edge in competitive situations. This module covers topics such as stress management, controlling aggression, mental preparation and self-confidence. Biomechanics is a good option for students taking Mathematics or Physics at A Level since it requires the ability to apply the mathematical concepts, such as the effect of forces, to the sporting context. The majority of students, however, follow psychology rather than this option. In exercise physiology students examine the scientific principles behind how performance can be enhanced by training. This module is assessed by external examination in January of Year 13.
Unit 4: Coursework (A 15%)
This is an extension of the A2 coursework, but students now concentrate on just one of their specialist sports. In addition they are assessed in their ability to observe and analyse performance in their chosen sport and apply aspects of their theory courses to the performance. This unit is assessed internally by the end of the Spring term in Year 13.
