Physical Education
Go BackGeneral Aims
The Physical Education Department in St. Mary's aims principally to promote the healthy physical, social and psychological development of all pupils. Accordingly, it offers to every pupil a wide and varied range of sporting activities through its curricular and extra curricular programmes.
Specific Aims
The Physical Education department aims to:
- develop a knowledge and understanding of human performance through participation in a range of physical activities
- acquire and develop to the highest level a range of physical skills related to selected games/sports and a knowledge of safety relevant to these activities
- develop an appreciation of the relationship between physical activity and general health
- appreciate the significance of co-operation and competition in individual and team games
- develop acceptable social and sporting attitudes
- develop, recognise and value pupils as individuals with their own talents and personalities
Curriculum
KS3
In St. Mary's Year 8 pupils have 4 x 50 min periods of Physical Education over two weeks. Year 9 pupils have 5 x 50 min periods over two weeks and Year 10 pupils have 4x50 min periods over two weeks. All key Stage 3 students will follow a broad and balanced curriculum based upon the following areas of study; Athletics, dance, Games, Gymnastics and Swimming.
KS4
At Key Stage 4 students will have 2 x 50 minute periods of Physical Education over two weeks. They will experience a programme of Health Related Physical Education which will integrate both the theoretical and practical aspects of exercise. They will also cover a broad and balanced range of activities taken from the 5 areas of study.
Students will also have the opportunity to study Physical Education at GCSE level. This is a very popular choice at GCSE level and has a large focus on practical skills. The theoretical element of the course covers topics such as; Principles of Training, Components of Fitness, Fitness Testing, Drugs in Sport etc.
The PE department delivers the subject at both AS and A2 levels. The emphasis at A level is on the theoretical aspects of the subject with some practical application and written coursework. Each course contains 3 modules as outlined below.
AS
Unit 1: The social basis of sport and recreation
Section A: UK and the European context
Section B: Issues in Sport: The Olympic Case Study
Unit 2: Enhancing performance
Section A: Acquiring Skill
Section B: Option A - Practical Application or Option B - Research Project
Section C: Performance: Analysis and ProvisionUnit 3: Exercise and training
A2
Unit 4: Global trends in international sport
Section A: Differing Cultures
Section B: Synoptic Analysis of Trends in International Sport
Unit 5: Refining performance
Section A: Factors Affecting Performance
Section B: Personal Exercise Programme
Section C: Option A - Practical Performance or Option B - Investigative Study
Unit 6: Scientific principles of exercise and performance
Section A: Exercise and Energy Systems
Section B: Option A - Sports Mechanics or Option B - Sports Psychology
Section C: Synoptic Analysis of Scientific Principles
Resources
The sports facilities at the school include a fully-equipped sports hall, a fully equipped gymnasium, a fitness suite, an all-weather pitch, two grass pitches and five tennis courts. The school also makes regular use of the facilities offered by the local council in particular the swimming pool, squash courts and fitness suite, driving range, golf course and all weather pitches.
