Physical Education
In addition to the regular PE lessons for all pupils between Second and Fifth Form, the Physical Education Department also offers examination courses at GCSE and A levels.
Director of Sport - Mr Graham Smith
Head of Department: Miss Rebecca Figgitt, BA (Hons), PGCE
Mr Graham Smith (Head of Rugby)
Miss Carolyn Bircher, BEd
Mr Paul Wilkinson, Bsc (Hons), PGCE
Miss Rachel Cave, Bsc (Hons)
Pupils can choose to do GCSE Physical Education during the Fourth and Fifth Form. This is a popular, useful and challenging course in which pupils study topics such as health and fitness, training, diet, drugs, the systems (cardiovascular, skeletal, respiratory and muscular) and pathways in sport. Pupils are also assessed in three of their own practical performances and are required to analyse and evaluate a performance.
The course is divided into two sections:
1. Theory 60% (two papers)
2. Practical 40%
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Written Assessment: Paper 1 |
Written Assessment: Paper 2 |
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Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 78 marks A mixture Multiple choice, short answer and extended answer questions
Content overview
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Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 78 marks A mixture Multiple choice, short answer and extended answer questions
Content overview
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Practical Assessment: Performance |
Practical Assessment: Analysis & Evaluation |
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Practical Performance Internally assessed, externally moderated 30% of the qualification 75 marks
Content overview Practical performance in three different physical activities in the role of player/performer (one in a team activity, one in an individual activity and a third in either a team or in an individual activity). |
Performance Analysis & Evaluation Internally assessed, externally moderated 10% of the qualification 25 marks
Content overview Analysis and evaluation of performance to bring about improvement in one activity. |
The course provides a comprehensive study of the basic science of sport. It must be emphasised that this is not a course that is just about performance and should not be chosen, with the expectation of just playing sport. The majority of the course involves theory based work in the classroom, although much of the theory content can be linked to who we do on the sports field. It also provides an excellent grounding for AS/A Level Physical Education.
This A Level course offers an opportunity for candidates to take the performing or coaching role in one sport. We follow the new AQA specification introduced in September 2016 which reflects major changes in the balance of written examination to coursework. Practical performance and analysis now constitute only 30% of the A Level. Two written papers make up the other 70% of the course.
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Paper 1 |
Paper 2 |
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Paper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport Written examination: 2 hours 35% of the qualification 105 marks
Content overview 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 Written examination: 2 hours 35% of the qualification 105 marks
Content overview Section A: Exercise physiology and biomechanics Section B: Sport psychology Section C: Sport and society and technology in sport |
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Component 3 |
Component 4 |
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Practical Performance Non-examined assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 15% of the qualification 45 marks
Content overview ● Skills performed in one physical activity as a player/performer OR ● Skills performed in one physical activity as a coach |
Performance Analysis & Evaluation Non-examined assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated 15% of the qualification 45 marks
Content overview ● In the role of player/performer or coach analyse two components of a physical activity (one physiological component and either a tactical or technical component). ● In the role of player/performer or coach analyse, implement and evaluate a Performance Development Programme. |
Recommended Entry Requirements
The study of PE at GCSE provides a very beneficial foundation for the A Level course. However, pupils can pursue the course without GCSE PE experience provided that they have a strong interest in analysing performance in sport and developing their own performance. As a subject that combines both art and science disciplines a broad GCSE subject combination is suitable.
Subject Combinations, Careers and Higher Education
PE offers an excellent compromise between arts and sciences to offer balance in a pupil’s choice of subjects. Career opportunities in sports related areas are now vast. University courses involving PE offer great diversity from Sports Analysis to Sports Marketing and Business.
The Higher Physical Education course offers, for those candidates who have a strong interest in sport, an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of specific areas within sport. The course focuses on analysing performance and identifying factors impacting on performance, aiming to give candidates the skills to be able to analyse areas of strength and weakness in their own performances, develop strategies to improve their performance and implement change and progress in their performance. The course is 60% coursework and 40% theory.
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Component 1 – Practical Performance |
Component 2 - Theory |
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A single performance (60% of the qualification)
In addition to this pupils need to pass practical performances in two other activities. This is a pass or fail.
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Factors impacting on performance – Pass/Fail
For each of the following areas you will discuss and consider the impact of physical, mental, social and emotional factors:
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Component 3 – Theory Examination |
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40% of the course 1hr30m examination Section 1: 3 questions (8 marks each) Section 2: one scenario based question (16 marks) |
Recommended entry requirements
Pupils can pursue the Higher course without GCSE PE. They must, however, have a strong interest in sport and in particular performance analysis. There is a significant element of the course that is based around identifying strengths and weaknesses in performances and finding possible solutions to improve a performance, using data analysis. As a subject that combines both art and science disciplines, a broad GCSE subject combination is suitable.
Subject combinations, careers and Higher Education
Higher PE offers an excellent compromise between arts and sciences to offer balance in a pupil’s choice of subjects. Career opportunities in sports related areas are now vast. University courses involving PE offer great diversity from Sports Analysis, Sports Science to Sports Marketing and Business.