Physical Education

Key Stage 3
During KS3 pupils develop their skills and techniques and learn how to apply them in different activities. They start to understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others' work.

During the Key Stage, pupils will be taught the KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & UNDERSTANDING, required through four areas of activity;

1. Games activities (football, basketball, netball, hockey, cricket, badminton, rounders, tennis).
2. Dance activities.
3. Gymnastic activities
4. Athletic activities

Pupils in 7, 8, and 9 received 2 x 60 minute lesson a week. All pupils have the option of attending our very successful extra-curricular clubs to develop their individual skills in a particular activity.

Key Stage 4
Physical Education at Key Stage 4 (1 lesson x 60 min.) is taught in single gender groups, with each pupil being given opportunities to participate in frequent physical activity conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Pupils are taught to plan, undertake and evaluate a health-promoting exercise programme, and show an understanding of the principles involved. The areas of activity are Games, Dance and Athletics. Weight-Training and Aerobics are also offered.

Pupils opting for the GCSE Physical Education course at Key Stage 4 will study:

• The Practical and Theoretical Aspects of Physical Activities from the three types of games and activities, invasion games, net/wall games and striking games.
• Health Related Fitness
• Sport Within Society

GCSE Expressive Arts
This course introduces students to the elements of dance, drama and music and the variety of ways the subject's areas can combine to create performance designed to express and communicate to an audience.

Students are set project work in class and for homework, which leads to end of term performance exams. The marks from the practical exams combined with the research and evaluations in the official notebook contribute to the final GCSE grade. In the spring term of Year 11, students receive an exam project, which requires them to research a theme and to create and perform their own 15 minute performance for videoing.

Post 16
AS Sport Studies
This course encourages student to develop their understanding of the factors that influence performance and then to apply their knowledge to a range of physical activities. The one-year course has 3 units: -

1. Physiological and psychological performance factors.
2. Social - cultural and historical effects.
3. Course work and project work.

A2 Sport Studies
Students develop more advanced knowledge and understanding of how performers can excel in the world of sport. There are 3 further units: -

1. Physiology and biomechanics.
2. Factors affecting elite performers.
3. Coursework and analysis project.

Students in Years 12 are timetabled for 2 hours per week of Physical Education (recreation). At this time, various activities are organised using all of the facilities on the school site.