A Level Physical Education

A LEVEL PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Course Outline

The course is academically demanding with an educationally diverse curriculum. Pupils who have been successful in this course compete or coach regularly in a sport, to a high standard. The A Level specification in Physical Education should equip pupils with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to scientific and practical aspects of Physical Education. This will require pupils to:

Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.

Understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance.

Understand the key sociocultural factors influencing people’s physical activity and sports involvement.

Understand the role of technology in physical activity and sports.

Refine their ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies, and/or compositional ideas. Develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance.

Understand the contribution which physical activity makes to health and fitness. Improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds.

Entry Requirements

PGS Hilsea Playing Fields

Beyond the Classroom

At least a Grade 7 in Science, preferably Biology. Commitment to competitive training and performance in one of the sports listed in the specification, for example, playing in a school 1st team or club 1st team level or above. Candidates must be regularly

A Level External Assessment

Pupils will be assessed at the end of two years through two papers (2 hours each worth 35% of A Level) and NEA (coursework).

Paper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport

Paper 2: Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport.

NEA: Practical performance, analysis, and evaluation in one sport is assessed through:

Internal assessment with external moderation

90 marks

30 % of A-level

Role requirement for Performance Assessment:

Pupils are required to be assessed in one activity from a set list in the role of player/performer or coach. Pupils will be assessed on their ability to execute the core and advanced skills/techniques outlined in the specific activity criteria in a fully competitive situation. All performers should demonstrate their full range of skills and will be assessed on their execution of recognised techniques, compliance with the official rules and regulations, accuracy, consistency, and outcome. The application of skills and techniques will be assessed through the implementation of appropriate strategies and tactics to optimise their performance to create effective attacking and defensive options/ equivalent situations depending on the requirements of individual activities through the practical performance.

Performance Analysis Assessment (Analysis and Evaluation):

Pupils are required to analyse and evaluate, using appropriate theoretical content included in the specification, a performance as either player/performer or coach, in one activity from the specification. Pupils can analyse and evaluate their own performance or the performance of another, as long as it is in an activity that is from the specification.

University Courses and Professions that require the Subject

Many of our pupils have gone on to study Sport Science at universities such as Loughborough, Bath and Exeter. Others have found A Level Physical Education a useful partner to the sciences, particularly Biology and Psychology. Professions that this A Level would support: Physiotherapist, Exercise Physiologist, Sport Psychologist, Nutritionist, Sports Marketer, Performance Analyst, Data Scientist, Designer for Sports Technology, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Personal Training, PE Teacher/Lecturer. A Level Physical Education is also a suitable A Level option to enable you to study almost any degree at university, except Medical, Vetinerary and Dentistry courses.

Student Profile

Ishbel Duncan

Subjects Studied at Sixth Form: Physical Education, Mathematics and Biology

Destination:

University of Loughborough to read Biological Sciences