GCSE Physical Education is an ideal subject for pupils who already enjoy the physical side of sport and PE, and who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject further, as well as how to improve their performance.
The lessons will be a mixture of classroom-based theory and practical sessions in a range of sports and training activities. We try to deliver the theory in a practical manner wherever possible, as we believe sporting pupils learn best in that environment. Pupils must be fully committed to participating in all activities.
Pupils would need to be performing at ‘school level’ in at least two sports that are on the syllabus. It is also possible to be assessed in activities which are on the syllabus that are not provided by school, but this may require some commitment from the student and family to film this and supply the footage to the PE department.
Course Content
Pupils are required to perform three sports, one of which must be a team sport, one must be an individual sport and the third can be either a team or individual sport. The choice of activities are as follows:
Team Sports
Acrobatic gymnastics, Association football, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Dance, Figure skating, Futsal, Gaelic football, Handball, Hockey, Hurling, Ice hockey, Inline hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Sculling, Squash, Table tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water polo.
Individual Sports
Amateur boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Canoeing/Kayaking, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Figure skating, Golf, Gymnastics (artistic), Rock climbing, Rowing, Sailing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Trampolining, Windsurfing.
Pupils will be expected to write an analysis of their own performance in one of their assessed activities. This will be completed with support in school and at home over the two years of the course.
Written Exam Paper 1
The human body and movement in physical activity and sport. This will study the following areas; Applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, Physical training and Use of data.
Written Exam Paper 2
Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport
This will study the following areas; Sports psychology, socio-cultural influences, Health fitness and well-being, and Use of data.
| Key Course Details | |
|---|---|
| Exam board | AQA |
| Assessment | Practical activities (30%) |
| Analysis of performance (10%) | |
| Written examination (60%) |