Physical Education
Physical Education is a combination of Sport, Science, Psychology and Sociology. It is a wonderfully diverse subject that allows you to explore and gain an insight into the exciting world of sports performance. Look beyond the classroom and apply Physical Education to your own sporting experiences as well as those of elite performers.
Year 9
Pupils entering Monkton Senior School in Year 9 will be pleasantly surprised at how many opportunities there are to participate in sport and PE. Year 9 pupils will have one double lesson of PE. This is taught in mixed groups and covers areas of the curriculum not taught as part of the major games programme; we aim to introduce pupils to a wide variety of sports and develop various aspects of their general and specific fitness. The PE programme allows pupils to learn that physical activity comes in many forms and with something to suit everyone. Our pupils will understand the benefits of being physically active and on leaving Monkton will know of the many opportunities available to them to remain active and healthy.
GCSE Years 10 and 11
What will I learn?
The theory and practical sections are very much interlinked. In the theory, pupils study applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, physical training, use of data, sports psychology, socio-cultural influences and health, fitness and wellbeing. The practical sessions focus on the development of skills, analysis of performance and developing sport related fitness.
How is the course structured and assessed?
The course is designed so that pupils can learn about many different topics relevant to today’s sporting world during theory lessons. Practical lessons put some of these theories into practice as well as allowing pupils to improve their own sports and learn new ones. It is a requirement of the course that pupils have an interest in sport and can play three sports to a high level.
Analysis and evaluation of performance
Three practical scores are added to the full course marks as well as one performance analysis of the pupil in the sport of their choice.
Practicals can be chosen from a number of different categories that must include one team sport, one individual sport and one sport of your own choice. The qualification will be graded on a nine-point scale: 9 to 1 - where 9 is the best grade.
A Level Years 12 and 13
What do I need before starting this course?
A grade 6 in Physical Education at GCSE is a good grounding but not essential. You should be an accomplished sports performer to at least first team school level in one sport. An interest in reading about sport, watching sport and discussing sport are mandatory.
What will I learn?
The course focuses on the theory behind ‘participation and performance in physical activity as part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle’. The specification is designed to allow you to develop an understanding and appreciation of the factors that enable both yourself and others to be physically active as part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. The factors studied will include physiological, psychological and socio-cultural aspects that have an impact on participation and performance in physical activities.
How is this course assessed?
There are three components that make up this A Level. Two are theoretical and will be assessed by a written exam in each area at the end of the two years (worth 70%). One ongoing component consists of a performance or coaching practical and a written/verbal evaluation and analysis of performance of a sport (worth 30%).
