A Level Physical Education (PE)
Overview:
A Level Physical Education is a theoretical and practical subject combining areas of both scientific and physical knowledge alongside the practical elements of sport.
Students will be equipped with a wide variety of transferable skills such as decision making and independent thinking, providing a strong base for them to move on to higher education, employment or further training. Physical Education will suit students who have a passion for sport and are already training and competing in sport at a high level.
Students should study this subject if they find the theoretical aspects of the subject interesting and are driven to find out how they can improve physical performance, are interested in how our bodies can be pushed to their physical peak, are keen to understand what gives champions a psychological edge and are intrigued by biomechanics.
The A Level specification in Physical Education should equip students with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of Physical Education.
“Lessons are interesting and personal to each student’s needs, and the new facilities are great.”
Course Structure and Content:
- Applied anatomy and physiology: Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the changes within the body systems prior to exercise, during exercise of differing intensities and during recovery.
- Skill acquisition: This section focuses on how skill is acquired and the impact of psychological factors and performance. Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the principles required to optimise learning of new, and the development of existing, skills in a range of physical activities.
- Sport and society: Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society.
- Exercise physiology: Students should understand the adaptations to the body systems through training or lifestyle and how these changes affect the efficiency of those systems.
- Biomechanical movement: Students should develop knowledge and understanding of motion and forces, and their relevance to performance in physical activity and sport.
- Sport psychology: In this section, students will develop knowledge and understanding of the role of sport psychology in optimising performance in physical activity and sport.
- Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport: Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society and the technological developments in physical activity and sport.
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Assessment:
At the end of the Lower Sixth, students sit an exam on all of the Lower Sixth content. This does not count towards the final grade, but assesses the content at this half-way point before progression to the Upper Sixth. The assessments at the end of the Upper Sixth are as below:
- Paper 1: 35% 2 hour written exam (105 marks).
- Paper 2: 35% 2 hour written exam (105 marks).
- Non-exam assessment: 30% Internal assessment, external moderation (90 marks).
Examination Board:
The course followed is the AQA A Level Physical Education 7582
AQA A Level Physical Education (external link)
Future Career Opportunities:
This qualification prepares learners with a clear path to degree level courses within the sports industry.
The course provides an excellent grounding for those wanting to work in PE, Physiotherapy, Sports Science, Fitness, Nutrition, Forces and PT Instructor.