Physical Education

What will I study at Key stage 4?

The course is practically based and involves participating in a range of activities. You will already have been taught a variety of different activities in your PE lessons. This course will help you to build upon your basic skills and it will help you to develop the analytical skills necessary to look at and improve your own performance.

Throughout the course you will be learning and developing new skills and techniques through a range of different activities. The coursework requires you to offer four activities for assessment. The course is also designed to develop your ability to observe and analyse different performances. In the final assessment you will need to analyse performance in one of your four chosen practical activities.

What does the theory involve?

Throughout the course you will be learning about how the body works. You will be studying the cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems. You will look at diet and training principles, drugs and safety issues, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Therefore, an interest and ability in Science is required.

What assessments will I do?

Final theory examination – 40%
Final practical examination – 30%
Coursework Practical – 30%

Why should I do PE?

A good grade at GCSE will help you to move on to any AS, Advanced GCE or Advanced Vocational course. If you enjoyed your Physical Education GCSE, you might want to continue with the subject onto the Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Physical Education course.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider a move to a vocationally related course such as Leisure and Recreation. Employment opportunities where your skills may be particularly valued include the Sport and Leisure industry, Travel and Tourism and Teaching.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?

Do not choose Physical Education as a soft option. Both practical and theory aspects demand hard work and total commitment. We will often use ICT as a basis for studying and reviewing different performances. If you have a genuine interest in sport, exercise and finding out how performance can be improved, this could be the course for you. If you feel that you can offer total commitment come and join GCSE PE.