PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Why study Physical Education?
The academy’s Physical Education programme encourages all pupils to participate in sports for the benefit of their physical, mental and social health, and aims to provide a wide variety of activities to appeal to everyone. PE improves pupils’ physical fitness, flexibility, dexterity and endurance, and educates them about the importance of health and well-being. Pupils are encouraged to work hard to develop their skills, which in turn helps to build their self-confidence as they become more adept at different types of sport. The vision is for all pupils to establish a desire to remain physically active throughout their life, after they leave Bay.
How will I study Physical Education?
In PE sustained time is given to practise and refine a variety of skills and techniques. Teachers demonstrate movement and skills, give technical advice, and give step by step staged introductions of new skills, competencies, and rules. Students are encouraged to perform at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength, and accuracy. They have the opportunity to be creative, make sporting decisions and practise skills independently, in pairs or in small groups.
Through PE, pupils learn to work effectively as part of a team, collaborating with others to achieve shared goals, which can help to strengthen their relationships with peers and enhance their self-esteem, whilst also encouraging them to develop a sense of responsibility for their own efforts and performance.
The tactical nature of many sports encourages pupils to plan ahead, make considered judgements, and to keep trying their hardest in the face of adversity, which are some of the many reasons why PE helps to develop pupils’ leadership skills and resilience.
What will I study in Key Stage 3?
Students study invasions sports, net sports, and striking and fielding sports. In addition, they study health and fitness, athletics and outdoor and adventure sport.
The study of invasion sports begins in Key Stage 3 with basic concepts such as passing and possession. This progresses quickly to defending and attacking followed by elimination skills and receiving. As students reach Key Stage 4 they are studying in greater depth, how to outwit opponents and eliminate the opposing team with strategic passes.
The study of net sports begins in Key Stage 3 with basic grip and simple shots. This develops into appropriate shot selection then onto targeting space. As pupils progress to Key Stage 4 students study more advanced shots as well as exploiting weaknesses and creating space to attack.
The study of striking and fielding sports progresses from basic throwing, catching, batting and fielding techniques at the start of Key Stage 3 to advanced fielding and striking techniques, including lob, spin, directional batting for attack and defence purposes.
In the study of Health and Fitness students study the components of fitness, including endurance, agility and flexibility. They will explore different types of training, as well as the importance of nutrition through the calorie equation. As students progress to Key Stage 4 they study all forms of training including interval training, continuous training and plyometric training.
In Athletics students progress through track, throwing and jumping events. They study technique, pacing and tactics, as well as the rules and regulations such as false starts and how to accurately measure and record scores.
The study of outdoor and adventure sports begins with coordinates and how to orient in Year 7 and then moving towards using attack points for speed.
In each sport pupils develop their motor competence, develop an understanding of rules, strategies and tactics, and develop an awareness of healthy participation. Pupils are also taught skills of communication, cooperation and leadership through the different sports.
What options can I study at Key Stage 4?
Year 10
In Year 10, pupils will follow the NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Sports Studies. The course has 2 assessments, which are externally set, one of which is an examined assessment and the other is a non-examined assessment.
The pupils will study and be assessed in the following areas:
- Participation in sport
- Ethics in sport
- Sponsorship, media and marketing in sport
- The use of technology in sport
- Planning, delivering and reviewing a sports competition
- Sports injuries
- Psychology for sports performance
- Developing sports leadership and coaching skills
- Skills classification and performance analysis
- Developing, delivering and reviewing a sports coaching session
Assessment at Key Stage 4?
Year 11
In Year 11, pupils may follow the OCR Sports Studies course which is made up of three units. There are 2 compulsory units (each worth 40% of the overall mark) and 1 optional unit (worth 20% of the overall mark).
UNIT 1 – Contemporary Issues in Sport – 40%
This is an external 1 ¼ hour examination. The examination will be taken in year 11 and must be the final unit that is completed.
- Issues which affect participation in sport
- The role of sport in promoting values
- The implications of hosting a major sporting event for a city or country
- The role national governing bodies (NGBs) play in the development of their sport
- The use of technology in sport
UNIT 2 – Performance and leadership in sports activities – 40%
- Key components of performance
- Applying practice methods to support Improvement in a sporting activity
- Organising and planning a sports activity session
- Leading a sports activity session
- Reviewing your own performance in planning and leading a sports activity session
UNIT 3 – Sport and the media – 20%
- The different sources of media that cover sport
- Positive effects of the media in sport
- Negative effects of the media in sport
Enrichment Offer
The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. The variety of clubs and sports on offer reflect the breadth and talents of our pupils and ensure that all pupils have an opportunity to participate in sports they enjoy and excel at. Our teams compete successfully in competitions throughout the region, at all levels. Many of our students are Sports Leaders. Clubs at lunch and after school include Netball, Football, Gymnastics, Trampolining, Rugby, Athletics, Rounders, Cricket and Badminton.
Careers
The study of PE can lead to future careers ranging from Contemporary Dancer, Physiotherapist and Sports Development Officer to Personal Trainer, Fire Service and Armed Services, to PE Teacher, Sports Coach and Outdoor Adventurous Activities Instructor. Famous PE graduates include Victoria Pendleton (Olympic athlete), John McFall (paralympic sprinter), Tim Noakes (sports scientist), Peter Phillips (Williams Formula 1).
Useful Resources and Revision Support
BBC Bitesize
BBC News: Fitness
Youth Sports Trust
www.sportplan.net
NHS: Teen healthy eating