Physical Education

A and AS Level

The candidates should have a wide interest in sport in general and be in good health.

This AS/A level is rapidly becoming an essential qualification for higher specialist study in both PE and sports studies. It is also an excellent foundation for many careers in the leisure or health and fitness industry.

The theory side of the course includes areas such as biomechanics, applied anatomy and physiology, psychology of sport and contemporary and comparative studies in PE and sport.

The practical side consists of choosing two activities from: athletics, judo, dance, invasion games, net/wall games, striking/fielding games, target games, gymnastics, outdoor activities, swimming.

Normally, one double lesson a week will be a practical session and in three doubles a week the theory side will be covered. There will normally be three written pieces of work set each week following the theory lessons.

For AS - 60% is theory work and 40% practical.
For A level the assessment is in the same ratio and is added on to the previous AS result.

GCSE Level

The GCSE is an ideal course for students who have a high level of practical ability in Physical Education and Games.

GCSE Physical Education comprises of 40% theory and 60% practical.

The theory element of the examination is one paper, which is two hours in duration. The paper is made up of three units: Factors Affecting Performance, Health and Safety and Training, Reasons and Opportunities for Participation in Physical Activity.

The practical element is made up of six categories: Games, Gymnastics, Dance, Athletic Activities, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities and Swimming.

The candidate must choose four activities from at least three different categories. In assessing practical activities, the following objectives are assessed:

Planning, Performing and Evaluating - accounting for 50% of the final total grade.
Analysing and Improving - accounting for 10% of the final total grade.

Grades available are A* - G and there is no tiering.