Aims of Physical Education

PE offers opportunities for students to:

• Enjoy participating in physical activities

• Explore a variety of activities and create a personalised pathway

• Acquire the skills needed to perform competently in a range of activities

• Learn how to select and apply skills, tactics and compositional ideas to suit activities that need different approaches and ways of thinking

• Develop key interpersonal skills of leadership, cooperation, communication and sportsmanship

• Develop capability to solve and overcome problems as an individual and / or as part of a team

• Respond to a variety of challenges in a range of physical contexts and environments

• Develop an inquisitive and philosophical approach through PE and sport

• Develop positive attitudes towards lifelong participation in physical activity.

 

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Curriculum Content

Students take part in two lessons per week. Students will be taught in mixed or single gender groups.

The curriculum offers a variety of activities which help to develop competence, performance, creativity and healthy, active lifestyles. All students will be taught the fundamentals of invasive, net and wall, athletic and aesthetic activities within a broad and varied curriculum through a range of activities.

 

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Assessment of Physical Education

Assessment in Physical Education is based on the following key language and pupils are encouraged to reflect upon whether they are demonstrating the following criteria:

1. Some of the time…

2. Most of the time…

3. All of the time…

The GCSE Physical Education specification allows for an in-depth study of the body in performance - investigating the body systems at work and looking at the socio-cultural context of the sports performer.

It also gives the students the opportunity to demonstrate their physical ability as a practical performer in different activities whilst encouraging them to analyse and evaluate both their own performance and that of others.

 

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What will students learn & how will they be taught?

Students will have two lessons per week.

During theory lessons students will cover the following content:

• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Movement analysis
• Physical training
• Use of data
• Sports psychology
• Social-cultural influences on participation
• Health, fitness and well-being

During practical lessons students will demonstrate their physical capabilities in three activities (one team, one individual and one other). They will demonstrate skills in isolated practices as well as in a fully competitive game or situation. They will then analyse their own performance and make judgements on their own strengths and weaknesses, highlighting areas for improvement during controlled assessment.

 

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How will students be assessed?

Students will be assessed via written examination including short and extended answer questions. The theory content is worth 60% and is examined over two papers which are both 1 hour 15 minutes in length. Paper 1 will test students’ knowledge of the human body and movement in physical activity and sport. Paper 2 will test students’ knowledge of the socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport.

Within the practically assessed area of the course, which accounts for 40% of the qualification, students will demonstrate their practical performance within isolated skills practices and competitive situations. It is for this reason that it is highly advantageous for GCSE Physical Education students to be playing competitive sport outside of normal lesson times to ensure they progress to the appropriate standard. Students will also complete controlled assessment work relating to analysis and evaluation of their own performance in a chosen activity.

 

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Examination board & course type

AQA - GCSE Physical Education (8582)

 

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What can studying this subject lead to?

This qualification forms a sound basis for progress to further education within A level and BTEC and other National Diploma studies.

 

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Revision Advice

A subject specific guide featuring key content, recommended resources and the specifications we cover in that particular subject can be downloaded below: