Curriculum

Physical education

Why study PE?

In PE, pupils are offered a unique platform where they can promote their physical development and well-being. PE allows pupils to strive and excel through varied sporting experiences and helps develop confidence, social skills and leadership opportunities.

Throughout PE, pupils are able to explore, identify and evaluate their own experiences in sport and gain the confidence they need to be part of a team, work tactically and develop the skills needed to become leaders in chosen areas.
PE allows pupils to master in specific sports through enrichment and allows pupils to compete against other schools. PE allows pupils to improve their mental, social, and physical health by offering pupils a broader curriculum and enrichment clubs.

The curriculum is designed with progression through motor skills, rules, strategies and tactics and the promotion of healthy participation.

How will I study PE?

Pupils study PE through both declarative and procedural knowledge. The curriculum is sequenced to maximise the pupils to know and do more in PE. Progression of knowledge is built over time from simple to complex through a range of physical activities and sports. Activities are selected for pupils to recall prior knowledge and apply similarities and differences between selected activities.

What will I study at key stage 3?

Pupils will study a wide range of physical activities in KS3. They will learn the importance sports has on improving physical, mental and social well-being. We embed fundamental skills (running, jumping, throwing, balance, coordination) through a variety of sporting activities. Pupils will grow in knowledge and experience of games (handball, football, rugby, badminton, cricket, rounders, basketball), gymnastics & creative movement. Pupils will also learn leadership skills including the ability to officiate sporting matches.

Pupils will experience competitive sports and performance sports days and through competitive game experience. They will learn about how their body adapts and changes (long and short term) due to physical activity. They will understand basic theory (muscles, bones, components of fitness) and apply this knowledge practically.

The study of outdoor adventurous activities helps to develop their problem-solving skills, communication and language skills, decision-making, risk-taking, teamwork, social and leadership skills. Pupils will also take part in athletics throughout KS3.

We link sports to sporting events in our learning, for example, FIFA World Cup to football, athletics to the Olympics, and games included in the Commonwealth Games.

What will I study at key stage 4?
Our Cambridge National in Sport Studies will encourage students to: ]
• Understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of Sport Studies 
• Develop learning and practical skills that can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations 
• Think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically 
• Develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector and more widely 
• Understand topical and contemporary issues in sport, including; why people do and do not participate in sport, the promotion of ethics and values, the roles of National Governing Bodies and high profile events have in sport, as well as how technology is used within sport 
• Develop skills as a performer in two different sporting activities and learn how to lead sporting activity sessions

 

Assessment at key stage 4

Units Comprise of:

R184 Contemporary issues in sport  
Overview Focus
R185 Performance and leadership in sports activities
Overview Focus
R186 Sport and the media
Overview Focus
R187

Increasing awareness of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities 

 

Enrichment

PE offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and the department organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Recently, these visits have included local visits within Bradford, and nationally – including visits to Manchester and London.

PE offers ‘have-a-go’ style clubs and enrichment, as well as competitive opportunities and teams. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions and leagues. Sporting equipment is available for pupils to borrow during lunchtime and break.

Careers

A good grade in PE will allow pupils to choose A Levels (or a Level 3 BTEC course in Sports) and further study that could eventually lead to a career within the sporting industry. It will also show that you have a broader range of skills, both physically and socially.

Physical education lends itself to a range of careers in sports and fitness as well as other industries that you may not have considered before. For example, did you know that many nutritionists, physical therapists and chiropractors have a degree in PE? Some careers that you could consider doing with PE include:

  • Sports science
  • PE teacher
  • Physiotherapist
  • Professional sportsperson
  • Sports coach/consultant
  • Sports policy at local and national level
  • Diet and fitness instructor
  • Personal trainer
Useful resources and revision support