Sport & Physical Education

A I Guest, BEd (Director of Sport)
Mrs K A Gratton, BEd
C A C Webb, BA (Head of Boys' Games)

Why Sport and PE?
Sport & fitness is a huge industry... and you can be part of it. If you’re keen on sport you can make a healthy living from your passion. Whether that’s working for a professional sports club, as a personal trainer at the local gym, or training to be a physiotherapist or even teaching there are lots of opportunities.

From professional sport through to amateur teams and individuals who just want to get in shape, sport and fitness is a fast-growing business. Best of all, you could be in a career doing something that you love. Every year more and more people take up sport. And as the UK is hosting the Olympic Games in 2012, physical education has never played such an important part in society. As somebody working in sports, you’ll be riding the crest of a wave.

This course is suitable for a diverse range of candidates who wish to develop their interest in sport and physical education, fostering its value in lifelong learning thus providing a transition for those intending to study related courses in higher education and, for those not wishing to follow further study, it provides a balanced, broad –based course, worthwhile in its own right. There is far more theoretical work and less emphasis on practical performance than at GCSE. AS and A2 Sport and PE combines practically well with
A-level Biology and Psychology.  But no matter what your career ambition, if you are passionate about sport, this course is great to take alongside other topics.

Entry requirements are a minimum of a good grade B, with an emphasis on the theoretical component.  It is not necessary for candidates to have studied GCSE physical education although it is an advantage. If GCSE PE is not offered then pupils are required to have achieved at least Grade B in Biology or Grade BB in Dual Award Science.    Candidates are expected to be able to demonstrate a high level of performance in one specific sport and demonstrate a willingness to coach and or officiate. Independently they would be expected to continue the development of these skills throughout the duration of the course.

The course has been run since 2006, during that time 53 pupils have completed AS and 31 continued to A2 with excellent value added results and an A-B pass rate of 75%.  In 2010 we recorded an 80% A*/A at A2 and 50% A at AS. It is delivered by three very experienced teachers.  Physical Education specialists, Mr Guest  Director of Sport , Mr Webb, Head of Boys’ Games and Mrs Gratton Head of Middle School (ex Head of PE) all have very successful records both at Yarm and in previous teaching posts.

The department is very well resourced with its own teaching base and use of the School’s excellent sports resources, including the expert coaching from the wider games department with several members of staff fully involved at regional and national level.

Course Overview
In the first year there are two main study topics. The first of these covers the beneficial effects of a healthy lifestyle and includes subjects like the physiological effects of exercise and how people acquire sports skills. In the second study topic you’ll learn how to analyse and evaluate an athlete’s performance, how to improve performance, and the factors affecting gaining new skills. In the second year you’ll have two main study topics again. The first continues with the theme of optimising the performance of an athlete. This includes how physiology can improve performance for elite athletes, as well as studying the important topics within sport today. The second study topic looks at performance in competitive situations. This includes the observation and analysis of weaknesses, along with ways of correcting any errors the athlete is making

In the first year you’ll have two assessments. The first is a written paper which covers the first study topic of the year. This paper accounts for 60% of your marks for the year. The second assessment is a practical exercise where you will be marked as a player and/or coach and/or official, depending on your personal goals. This practical assessment is based on the second study topic of the year and accounts for 40% of your marks for the year. A pass is recognised with an AS level. The assessment for the second year is the same. A two hour paper on the first study topic of the year accounts for 60% of your marks. Then a practical performance in a competitive situation as a coach, official or performer, along with your oral and written presentation on how to correct weaknesses in an athlete, will account for the remaining 40% of marks for the year
The AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1 : Opportunities for and the effect of learning a healthy and    active lifestyle
The topic list includes:
• The physiological effects of adopting a healthy lifestyle
• The short-term effect of exercise/performance and the long- term effects of training
• Analysis of movement across a range of sporting actions
• Acquisition of skills and the impact of psychological factors on performance
• Opportunities for physical activity, benefits to the individual and society and the potential barriers faced by minority groups.

Assessment is in the form of a two hour written exam which accounts for 60% of the AS mark (30% of A- level mark). Section A will require candidates to answer questions on applied physiology, skill acquisition and opportunities for participation. Section B will examine the application of theoretical knowledge to a practical situation.

Unit 2 Analysis and evaluation of physical activity as a performer and coach/official

Topic list
• Execution of skills/techniques in two roles (performer, official/referee/umpire/judge or leader/coach) in a chosen physical activity
• Analysis of own performance
• Application of theoretical knowledge to achieve effective performance

This is assessed internally with external moderation.  It 40% of total A/S Level marks (20% A-level mark)
Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform, analyse and evaluate the execution of core skills/techniques in isolation and a structured practice as either: a player/performer and in an adopted role or in two adopted roles. Section A requires candidates to be assessed on their ability in two from a choice of three roles. Section B will look at the theoretical factors that improve performance. Candidates are assessed on this element through the section B question in Unit 1. A detailed specification and full range of sports offered can be found on the AQA web site. http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pe_AS_new.php

At A2, the specification enables candidates to further develop their understanding of key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques. Candidates will be given the opportunity to specialise further, selecting two themes to study in depth and focusing on philosophical problems through the study of a key text. Problem areas relate directly to other areas of the specification and candidates will be able to draw on, develop and apply material from both the AS and A2 modules.

The A2 specification has 2 further units:

Unit 3 Optimising performance and evaluating contemporary issues within sport

Topic list
• Energy sources and systems
• Elite preparation and training
• Specialised training and sports injuries
• The use of psychological theories and techniques to optimise performance
• Concepts and characteristics of World Games and their impact on the state and individual
• Development and impact of sports technology on performers, equipment and facilities
• The development of sport from rational recreation to its modern day format.

Assessment is in the form of a two hour written exam which accounts for 30% of the A-level mark.   Candidates are required to answer six questions, two from Section A which looks at how the application of physiological factors can optimise performance, two from Section B on how the application of psychological knowledge that can optimise performance and two from Section C which asks candidates to evaluate contemporary influences in sport and their impact on the performer.

Unit 4 Optimising practical performance in a competitive situation.

Topic list
• Optimising performance in competitive or performance conditions in one role
• Evaluation of own performance in identifying weaknesses
• Suggesting cause of own weakness and an appropriate corrective measure

This is assessed internally with external moderation.  It is 20% of total 20% A- level mark

Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform, analyse and evaluate their own performance of the core skills/techniques in a competitive situation as either a player/performer or in an adopted role. Then using their knowledge and understanding identify their weaknesses; suggest the causes of these weaknesses and appropriate corrective measures.  A detailed specification and full range of sports offered can be found on the AQA web site. http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pe_A2_new.php

 

Go back

Made By Better