AS/A Level Physical Education

AS/A LEVEL PHYSICAL EDUCATION

WHAT IS PE?
Physical Education involves focusing on the theoretical aspects of participation and performance in physical activity as part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle.

The course focuses on:

• 
  Increasing your theoretical and physical competence
  
• 
  Developing your involvement and effectiveness in physical activity
  
• 
  Enabling you to become informed and discerning decision makers in relation to your and others involvement in physical activity.
  

Please note that this is a very different course to GCSE PE as there is a strong theoretical element, much of it scientific and there is much less focus on practical activities

WHY STUDY PE?
If you are:

• A keen sports person, who is enthusiastic about developing your theoretical knowledge and gaining a greater understanding of the scientific and socio-cultural aspects of performance
• If you wish to pursue a career within any of the sports fields

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
It is essential that you have a keen interest in both theoretical and practical aspects of sport. You are expected to be playing at least one sport to school/club level and should be taking part on a regular basis. Any leadership/coaching awards will be of benefit when it comes to the practical and appreciation of performance assessments.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
The AS course consists of two mandatory units, consisting of the following areas of study:

Unit G451: An Introduction to Physical Education

Anatomy and Physiology (Section A)

• The skeletal and muscular systems
• Motion and movement
• The cardiovascular and respiratory systems in relation to the performance of physical activity

Acquiring Movement Skills (Section B)

• Classification of motor skills and abilities
• The development of motor skills
• Information processing
• Motor control of skills in physical activity
• Learning skills in physical activity

Socio-Cultural Studies relating to participation in physical activity (Section C)

• Physical activity
• Sport and culture
• Contemporary sporting issues

Unit G452: Acquiring, Developing and Evaluating Practical Skills in Physical Education

• Performance (2 practical activities)
• Evaluating and planning for the improvement of performance (oral exam)

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
For the AS unit G451
An introduction to Physical Education, the exam is externally set and is assessed via one 2 hour long written examination paper. The question paper has three sections with questions from each of the three theory areas in each section. This forms 60% of your overall AS Grade.

The AS Unit G452
Acquiring, Developing and Evaluating Practical Skills in Physical E

ducationis made up of two parts which in total makes up 40% of your overall AS grade.

Part 1 Performance
You will be assessed in
twochosen activities from
twodifferent activity profiles as either a performer, coach or official. You will be assessed in your ability to select and perform skills consistently, precisely and with control and fluency in an applied skill environment. This is done via practical assessment and moderation.

Athletic Activities

Track and Field Activities

Combat Activities

Judo

D
ance Activities

Dance

Game Activities

Invasion Games

Association Football

Basketball

Field Hockey

Gaelic Football

Hurling

Netball

Rugby League

Rugby Union

Net / Wall Games

Badminton

Squash

Tennis

Volleyball

Striking / Fielding

Cricket

Rounders

Games

Target Games

Golf

Gymnastic Activities

Gymnastics

Trampolining

Outdoor Activities

Canoeing

Mountain Walking

Sailing

Skiing

Swimming Activities

Competitive Swimming



Safe and effective

exercise activities

TBC

(There are additional activities see PE staff for more details)

As part of the preparation for this
you will be
expected to keep a portfolio which details:

• Your performance, participation and progress in your two chosen activities. Your coaching / leading and any officiating involvement and progress made during the previous six months period.
• The opportunities for participation and progress in your chosen activities in your locality;
• Your physical activity levels as compared to nationally-recommended levels.

Part 2 - Evaluating and planning for the improvement of performance
Secondly you will observe a live performance by another student in one of your own assessed activities. You will then consider the factors that make for an effective and efficient performance in this activity.

You will then take part in a one to one interview (oral exam) and critically evaluate:

• The quality of the acquired and developed skills
• The success of the selection and application of skills, tactics /compositional ideas
• The fitness and health aspects of the activity observed

You will give a detailed evaluative response using appropriate technical language, in which you will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the performance you observed in relation to skills, tactics / compositional ideas and fitness. You will outline areas of the performance you would prioritise for improvement along with a detailed action plan to include coaching points, progressive practices, together with a timescale for the plan, the opportunities locally and nationally for performers to participate and improve in the activity and the fitness aspects and health benefits of the activity observed.

COURSE COMMITMENT
This is a very diverse, challenging and difficult course and as such we expect 100% commitment from our students. We set our department standards high and have high expectations and hopes for all our students. High levels of attendance; punctuality; respect; homework submission and independent study are essential if students are to maximise their potential.

COURSE COSTS
For the practical lessons, there is not an official uniform. You are expected to bring appropriate kit (shorts, t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms, trainers) so that you can take part in a variety of sporting activities. A College kit will be offered for sale at the start of the course for those students who are interested in purchasing it but it is by no means compulsory that you purchase the kit. We will provide you with a textbook for the year, however, revision textbooks are required (approximate cost 15.00).

PROGRESSION ROUTES
These are wide and varied and include:

• University Degree courses (variety of courses see staff for further discussion)
• Armed Forces
• Teaching
• Coaching / Leisure development work
• Physiotherapy / Sports Therapy