Key Stage 4 Physical Education
All pupils receive two Physical Education lessons per week to study GCSE Physical Education or BTEC Dance.
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GCSE Physical Education is delivered through the Edexcel Syllabus and is assessed on practical performance and a theory examination. The practical assessment is based upon four chosen sports and is worth 60% of the final grade. Physical Education Department provide personalized programmes for pupils and therefore many on and off-site sports such as Fitness Training, Rugby, Football, Netball, Swimming, Climbing, Judo, Horse Riding, Orienteering, Rounders and Fencing are offered to suit individuals. The theory examination is based upon three major topics of Exercise and Training, Safety and Health and Applied Anatomy & Physiology which is worth 40% of the final grade. Summer 2009 is the first full cohort of compulsary GCSE PE as we aim to emulate Summer 2008's cohort who achieved 97% A*-C.
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In September 2008, BTEC Dance was set up as an option during GCSE PE time. This was set up to provide a specialist route for groups of boys and girls who have a natural talent for dance and may wish to pursue this path rather than the four sports of GCSE PE. The BTEC Dance course focuses upon both choreographing and performing a range of dances in a variety of different genres.
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Pupils can also study OCR Level 2 Certificate of Sport, which the Physical Education Department has delivered since September 2005 and is equivalent to 4 GCSE grades. OCR Sport is assessed 100% on coursework where pupils study four compulsory units and two optional units. The compulsory modules are The Sporting Environment, Health & Safety & Prevention of Injury, Effective Sports Leadership and The Body in Action. There is some cross-over work with GCSE PE and pupils complete their coursework using the school’s ICT suites or through practical performance, officiating and leadership. In September 2008, the OCR National was introduced which requires pupils to study Units 1 and 2 alongside one optional unit in order to achieve equivalent to 2 GCSEs.
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In Physical Education, all pupils are encouraged and provided with the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning through the use of resources available on the Curriculum Map, Halton Learning Platform and the Internet. Emphasis is placed upon the need to improve pupils’ understanding of the benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle, encouraging lifelong learning and enjoyment in sport and physical activity.