Physical Education

Our Aim

The PE department at Weston Road Academy are passionate about the provision of PE and school sport. We whole-heartedly believe that every student has the right to enjoy and learn PE as a key subject in delivering lifelong skills such as endeavour, leadership and co-operation. Our goal is to engage and excite students into developing a future that includes adopting a healthy and active lifestyle, alongside the key skill set that will allow our students to be successful.

Key Stage 3 Information

Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 have three lessons a week of Physical Education. In these lessons students will learn a variety of essential skills based around 6 areas that equip them for success in years 10 and 11. Students will have lessons in; Athletics and cross-country, football (and/or) netball, badminton, handball, health related-exercise and sports science, and one other sport selected by the teacher to fit the individual needs of a learner group. These include trampolining, rugby and dance. Students are set based on their ability over these areas.

At the end of year 9 students take their options enabling them to access examination courses for our subject, OCR GCSE Physical Education . 

For students who have not chosen the option of doing a qualification in PE they will be continuing their practical learning experiences with a focus on developing skills and knowledge to lead a healthy and active lifestyle going in to adulthood.

Key Stage 4 Information

In years 9, 10 and 11 all examination candidates will have 5 lessons of PE a week. This will be a combination of practical, theory and theory through practical relevant to the appropriate examination route. 

Courses offered at Key Stage 4:

GCSE Physical Education – OCR Exam Board

Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance

• 1 Applied anatomy and physiology
• 2 Physical training

Students will start to explore the ways in which parts of the human body work and function during physical activity and the physiological adaptations that can occur due to diet and training. Learners will also develop their knowledge and understanding of the principles of training, why we train in different ways and how training plans can be made to optimise result

30% of the final grade (60 marks, 1 hour written paper)

Component 02: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology

2.1 Socio-cultural influences

2.2 Sports psychology

2.3 Health, fitness and well-being

Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of how sport impacts on society. Engagement patterns of different social groups will be understood by learners, along with strategies to promote participation with practical examples. The commercialisation of physical activities and sports will be understood, including the influences of sponsorship and the media.

Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of ethical and socio-cultural issues in physical activities and sports. They will develop their knowledge and understanding of sports psychology theories related to acquiring movement skills and optimising performance. Learners will be able to reflect on their own learning and performance of physical activities and sports skills to recognise the key psychological concepts affecting performance.

Finally, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of participating in physical activities and sports to their health, fitness and well-being. The physical, emotional and social aspects will be understood as well as the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Learners will also develop their knowledge and understanding of energy use along with diet, nutrition and hydration.

30% of the final grade (60 marks, 1 hour written paper)

Component 03: Performance in physical education

3.1 Performance of three activities taken from two approved lists:

- An individual sport, a team sport and one other from either list.

-To include an analysis and evaluation of performance (AEP)

Students will be assessed in the role of player/performer and are required to demonstrate effective performance, the use of tactics or techniques and the ability to observe the rules and conventions under applied conditions.

In addition to three practical performances students are required to demonstrate their ability to analyse and evaluate their own performance in order to analyse aspects of personal performance in a practical activity, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the performance and produce an action plan which aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of the performance.

40% of the final grade (80 marks, non-exam assessment)

GCSE Physical Education Assessment Objectives

• AO1 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO2 - Apply knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO3 - Analyse and evaluate the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO4 - Demonstrate and apply relevant skills and techniques in physical activity and sport and analyse and evaluate performance. 

Key Stage 5 Information

Courses offered at A Level:

A Level Physical Education – OCR Exam Board

Component 1: Physiological factors affecting performance

• 1 Applied anatomy and physiology
• 2 Exercise physiology
• 3 Biomechanics

Students will gain a deeper understanding of key systems in the body and how they react to changes in diet and exercise. They will also study the effects of force and motion on the body and how these effects can be used in physical activities to our advantage.

30% of the A level (2 hour, 90 marks written paper)

Component 2: Psychological factors affecting performance

2.1 Skill acquisition

2.2 Sports psychology

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying psychological factors that influence our performance in physical activity and sport. They will learn how to apply the theories to practical examples, giving guidance and feedback in constructive ways that are suited to that individual’s personality; therefore assisting in developing practical performance in physical activities and sports.

20% of the A level (1 hour, 60 marks written paper)

Component 3: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

3.1 Sport and society

3.2 Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport.

Component 3 focuses on the sociological and contemporary issues that influence and affect physical activity and sport for both the audience and the performer and how sport affects society. It includes the emergence and evolution of modern sport and how social and cultural factors shaped the characteristics of sports and pastimes in pre-industrial and post-industrial Britain.

The impact of the modern Olympic Games will be understood as well as the impact on society of hosting global sporting events. The ever-evolving modern technology and its influence on sport performers and spectators will be understood and practical examples will be used by learners to show the effect of modern technology.

 20% of the A level (1 hour, 60 marks written paper)

Component 4: Performance in physical education

4.1 Performance or coaching of approved sport

4.2 The Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for improvement (EAPI)

Students can be assessed in the role of performer or coach in one activity. In doing so, they are required to demonstrate effective performance, the use of tactics or techniques and the ability to observe the rules and conventions under applied conditions.

 In addition to a practical performance, students will be assessed in the Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI). They will observe a live or recorded performance by a peer in either their own assessed performance activity or another activity from the approved list. Through observation, learners will provide an oral response analysing and critically evaluating their peers’ performance.

30% of the A level (Non-exam assessment, 60 marks)

A Level Assessment Objectives

• AO1 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO2 - Apply knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO3 - Analyse and evaluate the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport.
• AO4 - Demonstrate and apply relevant skills and techniques in physical activity and sport. Analyse and evaluate performance.

Homework

Homework in Key Stage 3 -Extended homework tasks are set on a termly basis as stated in the academy homework calendar, staff set a task which is linked to the scheme of learning and all homework tasks are research driven, research will be presented and accompanied by art work and analysis. Homework is marked in line with the academy marking policy, feedback is provided and students are expected to respond to feedback.

Homework in Key Stage 4 – homework is set to support and extend learning, homework is typically set on a fortnightly basis. Homework can be research based, drawing based, material based or deadlines are set and students are expected to work on projects at home. Homework is marked in line with the academy marking policy, feedback is provided and students are expected to respond to feedback. 

Assessments

Theoretical concepts delivered as part of the examination routes are assessed in line with the academy marking policy, work is marked using the SAIL approach which enables students to respond to marking and feedback resulting in improvements to work and progress being made. Years 7 and 8 are marked using the assessment grid designed to allow students to understand the criteria. Years 9, 10 and 11 are assessed against the relevant assessment framework for the relevant course and specification followed. Those pupils in years 9, 10 and 11 that have not opted to take a Physical Education subject as part of their options are assessed through their attitude to learning scores. 

Extra-Curricular opportunities

The PE department offer a wide and varied extra-curricular programme. This changes on a termly basis depending on the sporting events and festivals entered during the local area. The sports hall is offered during each lunch period to a specific year group from Monday (year 7) through to Friday (year 11), the activities during this time rotate on a half termly basis. 

Useful Links 

GCSE Physical Education – OCR Exam Board

Qualification Specification:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234822-specification-accredited-gcse-physical-education-j587.pdf

Practical Criteria:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234827-guide-to-non-exam-assessment.pdf

A Level Physical Education – OCR Exam Board

Qualification Specification:

https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234833-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-physical-education-h555.pdf 

Staff List

The teaching and support staff are currently:

Mr M Cope Subject Leader in PE mcope@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mr D Bloor  Assistant Headteacher/Teacher of PE dbloor@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs S Bromley Teacher of PE sbromley@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mr M Culverhouse Teacher of Maths and PE mculverhouse@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs C Gethin  Teacher of PE cgethin@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mr A Hulme Teacher of PE  ahulme@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk