Full Time Physical Education

Physical Education

What is this course about?
The course is intended to encourage students to:

develop their understanding of Contemporary and Sports History, Sports Psychology and the Acquisition of Skill and Anatomy and Exercise Physiology. The course is 80% theory and 20 % practical.

What topics will I study?

At AS:

• Anatomy and Physiology: the skeletal and muscular systems-motion and movement. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems in relation to the performance of physical activity.
• Acquiring Movement Skills: 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: physical activity; sport and culture; contemporary sporting issues.

At A2:

• Historical Studies: popular recreation in pre-industrial Britain; rational recreation in post-industrial Britain; nineteenth century public schools and their impact on the development of physical activities and young people; the developmental stages of athleticism in nineteenth century public schools; drill, physical training and physical education in state schools.
• Sports Psychology: individual aspects of performance; group dynamics of performance and audience effects; mental preparation for physical activity.
• Exercise and Sport Physiology: energy; health components of physical fitness; application of the principles of training; performance enhancement.

How will my work be assessed?

At AS :

• One end-of-year exams including response to source material, structured questions and essays.

At A2:

• One end-of-year exam.

There is practical and oral coursework at both AS and A2 Level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills and knowledge do I need to succeed?

• You need to have an interest in a variety of current sporting issues.
• Good communication skills â€" GCSE English grade C is very helpful.
• You need to be able to learn details of anatomy and physiology and understand how competitive sport affects the mind, body and performance.
• You should have a good all round practical ability in two different sports and compete in one of them to a high standard. Ask for further advice on this if you are uncertain.

What are the lessons like?

• A range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Formal lessons are combined with discussion, case studies, task-based learning, ILT and video, all pitched at a level appropriate to the age and experience of students.
• The basic notes for the course are all available on the student intranet.
• 1:1 support is available to all students.

What have I got to do to do well?

• Maintain weekly sporting competition /commitments
• Keep up-to-date with current sporting affairs
• Complete your homework on time and to the best of your ability
• Learn from what you have done
• Learn key words

What do people do with A level Physical Education?

• A Level PE combines well with a wide range of other A levels
• A Level PE provides an excellent foundation for students intending to pursue careers in teaching and coaching, sports development, the leisure industry, recreational management, health, leisure and fitness, sports science, sports/physiotherapy, public services and professional sport.

Will there be any significant costs related to this subject apart from normal stationery?
Revision conference £15 each year.

A2 Twickenham trip £30.