Physical Education

What is Physical Education?

Physical Education is “education through the physical” however, A-Level in Physical Education will also equip you with a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific and socio-cultural aspects of physical education.

Have you ever wondered why some people are faster than others, how personality affects performance, or how technology can improve performance? Then this subject is for you.

What will I study?

The A-Level physical education specification is multi-disciplinary with course content divided into five components and is both an academically and physically demanding course:

PE is studied through a range of different contexts and the impact it has on both ours and others’ everyday lives will become clear. You will learn the reasons why we behave the way we do in competition, why some people outperform others – mentally and physically. You will also develop your knowledge of the emergence, evolution and ethics of modern sport.

As such you will receive a well-rounded and full introduction to the world of PE, sport and sports science.

Physical Education can also complement further study in biology, physics, psychology, nutrition, sociology and many more.

Assessments

Components 1-3 are assessed via written examination papers and worth 70%.

Component 1: Applied Anatomy and Physiology (A & P), Exercise Physiology and Biomechanical Movement

Paper 1 is a 2-hour written paper consisting of 5 sections worth 90 raw marks.

Section A: 5 x 2-mark questions on a mix of A & P, Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics.

Section B, C & D:  3 x 20-mark questions on A & P, Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics.

Section E: 1 x 20 mark extended essay style question of any two of the areas above.

Component 2: Skill Acquisition and Sports Psychology.

Paper 2 is a 1-hour written paper consisting of 3 sections worth 60 raw marks.

Section A: 5 x 2-mark questions on a mix of Skill Acquisition and Sports Psychology.

Section B: 2 x 20-mark questions on Skill Acquisition and Sports Psychology.

Section C: 1 x 10 mark extended essay style question of the two areas above.

Component 3: Sport and Society & Role of Technology in Physical Activity & Sport

Paper 3 is a 1-hour written paper consisting of 3 sections worth 60 raw marks.

Section A: 5 x 2-mark questions on a mix of Sport & Society and Contemporary Issues in Sport.

Section B: 2 x 20-mark questions on Sport & Society and Contemporary Issues in Sport.

Section C: 1 x 10 mark extended essay style question of the two areas above.

Components 5 & 6 (NEA) are internally assessed & externally moderated and worth 30%

Component 5: Practical performance/skills of PE (Non examined coursework – NEA)

30 marks for the Performance in one listed activity (submitted by Avi evidence)

Component 6: Evaluation & Appreciation of Performance Improvement (EAPI)

30 marks for the oral evaluation in one listed activity (evidenced by a recorded Avi).

Independent Study

You will be set a range of independent work throughout your course of study including, production and repetition of reflect & revise resources, extensive range of online resources via online SharePoint link, flipped learning tasks and exam technique developed from completing past paper exam question packs. Practical coursework will also form part of your independent study, primarily collecting video evidence of your chosen activity to produce a final avi file and developing an oral response for the evaluation of your performance activity (EAPI).

Trips, visits and enrichments:

• Representation of the college sports teams in your chosen team sport/activity
• Access and representation of the West Midlands AoC regional team
• Careers/HE workshop sessions for those wishing to pursue sporting avenues

What can it lead to?

This complete grounding in the subject, along with the transferable skills that are in demand, provides a fantastic base to build upon when you move on to higher education, employment or further training.

A qualification in Physical Education is rapidly becoming an essential pre-requisite for specialist study in PE and Sport Science leading to: –

• Careers within ‘PE Teaching and coaching, sports development, exercise & health, sports medicine, nutrition, sport management, recreation & leisure industry, healthcare, physiotherapy, fitness industry or personal training
• University/Higher Education Study via BA/BEd/BSc degrees in Sports & Leisure Management, Sport & Recreation Studies, Dance, Sports Science, Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Outdoor Pursuits, and Countryside Management
• UCAS points towards any other degree course of study that is not in a sports related degree.