Physical Education at Key Stage 4
There are 3 pathways for you to choose from at GCSE: GCSE PE, Cambridge National Sport Science (see information below) or GCSE Dance
Core Physical Education
Pupils will be allocated a suitable pathway of activities, mostly taking part in one main activity, combined with other activities throughout the 3 year period. GCSE PE students will also take part in these lessons that will form the basis of the (40%) practical component of their GCSE course. Core PE lessons are entirely practical – pupils are assessed on their performance in each activity following the GCSE PE guidelines and criteria. Our aim is to help students develop their physical, mental and social skills within the activities they take part in, while creating a range of experiences to help them foster healthy attitudes and behaviours towards physical activity for life.
GCSE Physical Education (Full Course)
GCSE PE pupils have an additional four or five lessons of PE per fortnight on top of their core lessons. The course takes place over three years and consists of practical and theoretical components in the following format:
- Practical Component – 40%
Pupils are assessed in a range of activities across the three years of KS4. Pupils and teachers will work together to establish each pupil’s three strongest practical assessments (30% of the practical component) One must be a team activity, one an individual activity and the third assessment can be from either:
| Team activity list |
Individual activity list |
| Association football, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Dance, Gaelic football, Handball, Hockey, Hurling, Lacrosse, Netball, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union , Squash, Table tennis, Tennis, Volleyball | Amateur boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Canoeing/kayaking (slalom), Canoeing/kayaking (sprint), Cycling , Dance, Diving, Golf, Gymnastics (artistic), Equestrian, Rock climbing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Trampolining |
For practical assessments, candidates will be assessed on a variety of criteria:
– Acquiring and developing skills and techniques;
– Evaluating and adapting their own performance;
– Demonstrating an understanding and practical application of the rules/laws and conventions of the physical activity;
– Demonstrating an understanding of health and safety issues and their practical application.
Pupils who choose GCSE PE are expected to demonstrate a genuine interest in and commitment to extra-curricular sporting activities in and outside of school. Candidates can also be assessed in sporting activities not offered within school via video evidence (this needs to be gathered at home and in line with strict exam board guidance).
Not only will candidates develop and improve their skills, fitness and understanding within the sporting activities covered, they will also acquire vital life skills such as communication, cooperation, leadership and teamwork.
In addition, students must complete one analysis and evaluation (written coursework) of a practical performance (10% of the practical component).
- Examinations – (60%) Both papers are taken in the summer examinations period at the end of year 11 (May).
| Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport | Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport |
| Applied anatomy and physiology Movement analysis Physical training Use of data |
Sports psychology Socio-cultural influences Health, fitness and well-being Use of data |
| 1 hour 15 minutes | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| 78 marks | 78 marks |
| 30% of GCSE | 30% of GCSE |
|
A mixture of multiple choice/objective test questions, short answer questions and extended |
|
Click on the images below to learn more about some elements of the course!