Physical Education and Games

Physical Education develops pupils’ awareness of mentally, physically and socially healthy lifestyles. It is divided into two subjects:

Core PE	Which every student in Years 7-11 participate
Academic PE	Which is an option at GCSE, A-Level and BTEC Level 3

Core PE

Our Core PE programme aims to help our pupils to:

Develop physical competence and help promote physical development
Understand and value the benefits of participation in physical activity while at school and throughout life
Develop the personal qualities of commitment, fairness and enthusiasm

KEY STAGE 3

In the first three years, we follow the National Curriculum for Key Stage 3. During this stage, all pupils will have one double lesson of Physical Education and one triple lesson of Games each week. They will experience at least four areas of activity in any year.

The areas of activity in PE include:

Outdoor Activities and Orienteering

Swimming- stroke development and basic Personal Survival techniques

Gymnastics – introduction to moves, balances and vaults

Games for Understanding- developing creativity and leadership through game play.

Yoga has recently been added to the Year 9 programme as a way of supporting pupils’ mindfulness.

Movement Literacy: developing fundamental movement skills

The emphasis throughout Key Stage 3 is on how to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, introducing concepts for GCSE and on team sports.

KEY STAGE 4

In Years 10 and 11, PE takes on a more recreational aspect where the aim is to make the students as active as possible in the time we are given making use of the on-site facilities. The various activities will include:

Water Polo and Life-saving

Fitness Training

Team Games on the astro turf

Basketball

Racket sports

Students rotate around these activities on a half termly basis. There is an emphasis on participation and enjoyment.

Academic PE

GCSE - PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Pupils who choose Physical Education at GCSE level will follow the AQA specification. They will develop their skills and understanding through selected practical activities and will also develop their knowledge of factors that affect participation and performance.

Rules, etiquette and convention will also be developed along with an awareness of the health benefits and risks associated with taking part in physical activity. Pupils will also develop the skills to analyse and improve their own and others’ performance.

40% of the course is based on practical assessment in three separate activities, with the remaining assessed via theory, which are completed via two examination papers at the end of Year 11.

A-LEVEL

Pupils who choose Physical Education at A-Level will follow the AQA specification.

There are three main academic strands to the course:

- Anatomy and Physiology

- Skill Acquisition and Sports Psychology

- Sport and Society

In addition there is a practical element where pupils should be able to confidently analyse and evaluate the quality of a performance and develop strategies for improvement. The course enhances both qualitative and quantitative skills and is ideally suited to a wide range of further education courses, though particularly to those associated with a sporting nature.

Pupils have continued onto a range of future courses, from medicine and dentistry to teaching and psychology.

B-TEC Level 3 National Diploma

Pupils studying the course will develop the knowledge, skill and understanding of how the body enables us to compete in sport, and how performance and health can be maintained and improved,

The course enhance a range of skills, and is suited to a wide range of further education course, particularly those associated with sport.