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Physical Education

KS3
KS4
KS5 (Sixth Form)

Summary

Physical Education is at the heart of school life providing every student with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. The Physical Education curriculum offered at Key Stage 3 is designed with this in mind and serves to pique students’ interest and develop their skills, understanding and interest in a host of sporting experiences. Extensive and well maintained grounds and facilities enable a wide variety of sports to be taught following the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3.

The department boasts five highly qualified and enthusiastic physical education teachers ably supported by a number of specialist sports coaches. This wealth of experience allows students to have the opportunities to compete at House, district, county, regional, national and even international level. At the heart of our philosophy is the desire to provide each of our students with the opportunity to access high quality physical education in an environment that allows everyone to progress, and also to understand the importance of an active healthy lifestyle and the value of working as part of a team.  

 

 

 

Summary

GCSE PE at Key Stage 4 is an extremely popular option at Gordon’s. It is taught by three highly experienced and qualified teachers and boasts an outstanding record of success in the results achieved by students.

We follow the OCR Specification which equips students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop their own performance in three chosen activities (taken from the Specification). All students develop their understanding of socio-cultural influences on participation in sport, and the benefits of physical activity to health, fitness and well-being.

This GCSE course provides an excellent base to progress on to A Level Physical Education and BTEC Sport where our results are also extremely high and numerous students from Gordon’s have gone on to read Sport at university. Students are able to develop their practical performance for assessment, through the extensive co-curricular programme as well as pursue their sports out of school. 

Course details

The GCSE course consists of three components.

Component One: Physical Factors affecting Performance (30%)

  • Applied anatomy and physiology
  • Components of fitness and principles of training.
  • Risk assessment.

Component 02: Socio-Cultural Issues and Sports Psychology (30%)

  • Socio-cultural influences
  • Sports psychology
  • Health, fitness and well-being

Component 03: Performance in Physical Education (40%)

Students must choose three activities (30%) from the Specification -  One must be a team game, one must be an individual activity and the third can come from either.

Students are also required to write their Non Exam Assessment (10%) on an activity from the Specification

Here is a link to the OCR Specification and the list of activities available:

GCSE - Physical Education (9-1) - J587 (from 2016) - OCR

 

CURRICULUM PHYSICAL EDUCATION

To complement the GCSE Physical Education course, every student will take part in one 'core' Physical Education lesson each week.  This lesson will involve participating in activities such as Gymnastics, Dance, Health Related Exercise, Table Tennis, Badminton, Athletics and Cricket.

As well as looking at the performing aspects of these activities we will also develop their knowledge and understanding, in conjunction with developing their leadership and social skills.

Summary

A Level PE continues at Key Stage 5 following the AQA specification which allows our students to play to their strengths and gain dynamic theoretical and practical skills to gain qualifications for further education or work. The course we deliver builds on the knowledge and skills learned at GCSE, with the specification offering breadth of study (students are examined in Anatomy and Physiology, Biomechanics, Skill Acquisition, Sports Psychology, Technology and Societal and Contemporary Issues) and in-depth analysis to stimulate interest and engage students. In addition to this students focus on specialising at competitive level in one sport for practical assessment and complete a detailed analysis of their performance.  

It is important for students to have a real interest in learning about, and participating in, Sport and Physical Education. In addition a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate ideas effectively is vital.

For students who enjoy sporting activities the course will broaden their all-round knowledge of PE. At the same time it will develop an understanding of the theory behind the subject using student-related techniques.

The course will encourage students to:

  • Build on their experience from Key Stage 4 / GCSE to enhance their knowledge and increase their understanding of the factors that affect performance and participation.
  • Have the opportunity to experience and develop an interest in a variety of roles in sport such as performer, official and/or leader/coach at A Level with opportunities to specialise in one aspect
  • Apply appropriate techniques and principles designed to develop an improvement in performance.
  • Understand the physiological effects of exercise on the body, and how physiology can optimise performance in elite athletes.
  • Describe and explain the ways skills are learnt and applied in practice conditions to improve performance.
  • Address current contemporary topics in sport such as the impact in the use of ergogenic aids, technology and increasing commercialisation of sport.
  • Organise and present information, ideas, descriptions and arguments in a clear, logical and appropriate form, taking into account specialist vocabulary.
  • Analyse and explain relationships between the physical and skill determinants of performance with contemporary influences on Physical Education and Sport.
  • Evaluate critically and justify current provision for participation in physical activity in the context of social and cultural issues in the UK.             

Course details

Paper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport (2 hours – 35%)


Section A: Applied Anatomy and Physiology
Section B: Skill Acquisition
Section C: Sport and Society
 

Paper 2: Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport (2 hours – 35%)


Section A: Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics
Section B: Sport Psychology
Section C: Sport and Society and Technology in Sport


Non-exam assessment (30%): 

Practical performance in physical activity and sport
Students assessed as a performer or coach in the full sided version of one activity. Plus: written/verbal analysis of performance

 

BTEC PE (Edexcel)- Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sport (2021 onwards)

There are three mandatory units:

  • Anatomy and Physiology.
  • Fitness and Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-Being.
  • Professional Development in the Sports Industry.

There are also one chosen modules:

  • Sports Leadership

Entry Criteria

For A Level - GCSE grade 6 in GCSE Physical Education if studied, or a grade 5 in English and Grade 5 in Biology GCSE, or 5-5 in Combined Science GCSE. 

For BTEC Sport – GCSE Grade 4 in English and Mathematics required

SPORT LEADERS (Year 12 Only)

Leaders must complete a minimum of 60 hours of tuition time, and 30 hours of leadership throughout the qualification.  This will be undertaken in Unit 4 (mandatory) and Units 5, 6 and 7 (must choose two of these optional units).

Unit 4            -           Plan, lead and evaluate sport/physical activity sessions for children (4-11 year olds)

Unit 5            -           Plan, lead and evaluate sport/physical activity sessions in the community

Unit 6            -           Plan, lead and evaluate sport/physical activity sessions for disabled people

Unit 7            -           Plan, lead and evaluate sport/physical activity sessions for older people (50+)

PE A Level

 

PE - BTEC EXTENDED CERTIFICATE

PE - BTEC SPORT DIPLOMA