Years 7 and 8

In years 7 and 8 we aim to allow all pupils to learn about a wide range of sport and physical activity whilst ensuring that preparation for competition at A, B, C and D team level is delivered. Both years have one double lesson of Physical Education (PE) and one triple lesson of Games per week. In games lessons the girls develop physically, mentally and tactically through team games such as, hockey, lacrosse, netball, rounders and tennis. In PE pupils study Dance, Gymnastics, Health Related Fitness (HRF) Swimming and teambuilding. Our aim is to develop our students holistically, in order to prepare them for life and all its challenges.

Year 9

In year 9 we aim to build upon the foundations laid in year 7 and 8, whilst giving our students the opportunity to begin to specialise in one or two team games per term or dance. Pupils have two double lessons of physical activity per week. One of which is preparation for sporting competition or ITDA Dance awards. The other, is a PE lesson that extends the learning of the previous two years in Gymnastics, Health Related Fitness (HRF) and Swimming (personal survival and water polo). Our aim is to enable students to make informed healthy lifestyle choices.

Year 10

In year 10 we continue to expand on the above whilst giving students the opportunity to finally specialise in one or two team games per term or dance. Pupils have two double lessons of physical activity per week. One of which is preparation for sporting competition or ITDA dance awards. The other, is a PE lesson that extends the learning of the previous two years in Health Related Fitness (HRF), Pilates, badminton and volleyball. Our aim is to enable students to make informed healthy lifestyle choices.

Year 11

In year 11 we feel it is necessary and important to deliver a PE and sport programme that allows our pupils an element of choice and variety in order to encourage a strong relationship with physical activity. We offer students the opportunity to specialise in lacrosse, rowing, sport of the term (hockey, netball, tennis or rounders) and dance. By this age the competitive sports players have a strong passion for their sport and we aim to work with all individuals to meet their personal goals. At the same time we also offer recreational sport and dance such as fitness and Pilates.

Why study Physical Education?

Physical Education helps students to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies to live healthy and physically active lives at school and for the rest of their life. By learning ‘through and about’ movement, they will gain an understanding that movement is integral to human expression and can contribute to people’s pleasure and enhance their lives. Physical Education teaches students to critically inquire into the social and cultural significance of movement, so that they can better understand what influences people to engage and participate in physical activity and it provides authentic contexts in which to learn. Pupils challenge themselves to develop their physical and interpersonal skills required for working with and relating to others; this subject provides the learning opportunities to develop these skills. The specification offers breadth and balance – giving students the chance to study a wide array of theoretical areas that underpin physical education, whilst also getting the chance to experience and develop an interest in a variety of roles and activities. Under the three main titles of Physiology, Psychology and Sport and Society, the theoretical aspects of the AQA specification allow students to build on their knowledge from previous study and learn about factors that optimise performance.

Studying Physical Education facilitates a variety of career pathways and recent pupils have progressed to such careers as PE teaching, physiotherapy and sports journalism as well as less directly related careers such as engineering and military officer.

Pupils will study the following topics in class using a variety of up to date resources: text books, video clips and e-resources.

Head of Department: Miss L Scott

Course content

Board: AQA   A level Syllabus Code: 7582

• Applied anatomy and physiology – Energy systems
• Skill acquisition – Memory models
• Exercise physiology – injury prevention and the rehabilitation of injury
• Biomechanical movement – linear motion, angular motion, projectile motion, fluid mechanics
• Sports psychology – Achievement motivation theory, attribution theory, self-efficacy and confidence, leadership, stress management
• Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport – concepts of physical activity and sport, development of elite performers in sport, ethics in sport, violence in sport, drugs in sport, sport and the law, impact of commercialisation on physical activity and sport and the relationship between sport and the media.

In addition, pupils will be assessed as a performer or coach in the full sided version
of one activity and produce a written analysis and evaluation of performance which equates to 30% of A level marks.

Method of assessment

Component 1 – Paper 1:  Written exam paper (2 hours) worth 35% of A level.

• Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport
• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Skill acquisition
• Sport and society

Component 2 – Paper 2: Written exam paper (2 hours) worth 35% of A level.

• Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport
• Exercise physiology and biomechanics
• Sports psychology
• Sport and society and technology in sport