physical education

Exam board: OCR (J587 Physical Education)

Studying GCSE (9-1) Physical Education will open your eyes to the amazing world of Sports Science, alongside high level performance. Not only will you have the chance to perform in three different sports through the non-exam assessment component, you will also develop wide ranging knowledge into the how and why of physical activity and sport.

The combination of physical performance and academic challenge provides an exciting opportunity for pupils. You can perform, and then through the academic study, learn how to improve your performance through the application of theory.

You will study human biology, and why some people outperform others, mentally and physically. You will also delve into the ethical considerations behind the use of drugs and also gain an understanding of the consequences of inactivity and poor diet. There is also a small element of biomechanics.

Pupils should be participating in three sports regularly to comply with the practical component of the course.

Key features

• Simple, straight forward assessment structure.
• Opportunity to perform in three different sports from a list of team and individual activities. This can be achieved through your participation in the School’s Games programme.
• Study topics such as anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology and sociology.
• Provides an excellent introduction to future study in this and many other areas.

Assessment

• 40% Non-Exam Assessment (NEA). Three practical performances and one performance analysis task.
• 60% Exam. Two examination papers (2 x 1 hour) taken at the end of the two year course.
• A wide range of question types including: multiple choice, single mark, short answer and extended response.
• The opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the theory and performance skills in both NEA and through the examinations.

Entry requirements: A minimum of Grade 6 in GCSE Biology or 6:6 in Combined Science. GCSE Physical Education is not required, but it may be helpful. There should be clear potential to compete at 1st team level in at least one sport.

Exam board: OCR

Obviously physical education provides a natural progression onto one of the many sports-related degree courses. However, the real benefit is that it enables you to grasp a wide range of skills – from scientific research through to public speaking. It helps develop an organised well-rounded pupil who can cope with the demands of university life. This wide variety of skill will stand you in good stead for most university courses.

The same applies to the workplace. Sport is now such a huge industry that there are endless employment opportunities. A few examples include: coaching, teaching, health, leisure and fitness, sports technology development, sports administration, sports management and media. It is also valuable for medically-related professions such as nursing and physiotherapy.

The course is extremely diverse – it allows you to explore and enhance your own sporting ability, but also bridges the academic divide between the arts and sciences. Experience has shown that physical education can be combined with a wide range of other subjects.

The course is a natural extension from the GCSE, with many similarities in the theoretical components covered. It has a good balance of practical and theory lessons with a slight emphasis on the theory. However, those pupils with a keen interest in sport will be able to relate their practical experiences to the theoretical concepts. More specifically, the theory is based on modular units incorporating:

• Anatomy and Exercise Physiology
• Sport and Technology
• Acquisition of Skill
• Sport and Society
• Contemporary Studies
• Psychology of Sport
• Biomechanics

Assessment:

The A level is examined at the end of the two years of study with:

• 70% written exam
• 15% oral exam
• 15% practical assessment

The A level assesses the candidate in just one physical activity over the duration of the course as opposed to three at GCSE PE level.

From the practical perspective you would be expected to be representing the school at 1st team level in at least one sport and if you were competing at a higher representative level this would be very advantageous.

Exam board: Pearson

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport is intended to be an Applied qualification for post-16 learners wanting to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the sports sector. The qualification is equivalent in size to two A Levels and has been designed as a two-year programme when studied alongside further Level 3 qualifications.

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education. Employers and professional bodies have also been involved and consulted to confirm that the content is appropriate and consistent with current practice for learners who may choose to enter employment directly in the sport sector.

Strictly speaking there are no entry requirements for this course, however, having
studied PE at GCSE will be a good starting point.

Pupils completing their BTEC Nationals in Sport will be aiming to go on to
employment, often via the stepping stone of higher education.

There are 9 units, of which 6 are mandatory (75% of the course content), and 3 externally assessed (45% of the course content).

Mandatory:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Fitness training and programming for health, sport and wellbeing
• Professional development in the sports industry
• Sports leadership
• Investigating business in sport
• Skill acquisition in sport.

Optional:

• Application of fitness testing
• Sports psychology
• Practical sports performance
• Coaching for performance
• Research methods in sport
• Sport event organisation
• Research project in sport
• Sports injury management
• Work experience in active leisure
• Leisure management
• Leisure centre operations
• Sports performance analysis
• Rules, regulations and officiating in sport
• Technical and tactical demands of sport
• Principles and practices for outdoor and adventurous activities
• Environmental sustainability for outdoor and adventurous activities

Assessment:

There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.

Externally Assessed units:

• Examinations – all pupils take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written
  outcome
• Set tasks – pupils take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding
  through completion of a vocational task.

Internally Assessed Units:

• Write up the findings of their own research
• Use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations
• Carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes
• Demonstrate practical and technical skills

Synoptic Assessment (may be internally or externally assessed):

• Completion of a vocational task.

There is no practical assessment as part of the IB course. Pupils will complete an internal assessment in Sports, Exercise and Health Science and can choose to write their Extended Essay on a Sports, Exercise and Health Science related topic.

Entry requirements:
Grade 6 In Physics/Chemistry/Biology or 6:6 in Combined Science.
Grade 6 in Mathematics.
Grade 6 In Physical Education (if taken at GCSE, but this is not essential).
No practical performance requirement.

Sports, Exercise and Health Science is highly regarded by universities as an academically challenging subject and the depth and breadth of the course means pupils enjoy learning about a range of areas, which can in turn lead to a variety of careers. Studying at Sixth Form level opens the door to opportunities in Sports Science, Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Nutrition, Biomechanics, Physiology, Physiotherapy, Strength and Conditioning amongst many others.

In the course, you will study the following:

Exercise Physiology and Nutrition

The nervous system, the endocrine system, maintaining homeostasis, short-term and long-term effects (HL), the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, water and electrolyte balance, macronutrients, micronutrients (HL), microbiome influences (HL), energy systems, VO2 max, lactate (HL), EPOC (HL), recovery, training design, an active lifestyle and its effects on wellbeing, exercise prescription (HL), fatigue and recovery (HL).

Biomechanics

The axial and appendicular skeleton, planes and axes of movement, anthropometry (HL), structure and function of connective tissue and joints, muscular function, muscular contraction (HL), levers, Newton’s Laws, linear and angular motion, momentum (HL), friction (HL), force (HL), work, power, projectile motion, environmental conditions and their effect on an object (HL), buoyancy, lift and drag (HL), Bernoulli’s Principle (HL), Magnus Effect (HL), movement analysis, injury, chronic injuries (HL), injury prevention, rehab and treatment.

Sports Psychology and Motor Learning

Personality, Social Learning Theory (HL), effects of experience, coaching and reflection on personality (HL), mental toughness, motor learning, reaction time, attentional focus, motivation and self-determination, ego orientation and task orientation (HL), self-determination theory as a meta-theory (HL), motivational climate, stress, problem-focused coping and emotional-focused coping (HL), arousal and anxiety, coping strategies (HL), goal setting, goal adjustment (HL), imagery (HL).

Assessment:

• Paper 1A – multiple choice questions. 36% of overall grade.
• Paper 1B – data-based questions and questions on experimental work. 40% of overall grade.
• Paper 2 – short answer and extended response questions. 24% of overall grade.

Scientific Investigation – an open-ended task where the pupil gathers and analyses data in order to answer their own formulated research question. This is assessed through the form of a written report (maximum word count of 3200 words).