Physical Education

Physical Education

What is A-level PE?
The modular physical education specification allows students to gain an AS level in one year or a full A-level after two years. The course is divided into four units, half of which are studied in year one for the AS level and the other two units in year two, studied in more detail, for the A-level. These units of study contain both theoretical and practical coursework in addition to examinations in June of each year of the course.

What does the practical work involve?
The practical component in AS counts for 40% of your AS mark. Students are assessed on a variety of roles, with two from

• performer
• coach
• official

These two roles can be from either the same or different activities.

In the second year, students continue with one of the roles experienced at AS-level, (ie as performer, coach or official).

Sports activities on offer include:

Swimming, Soccer, Netball, Hockey, Rugby League, Basketball, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Dance, Cricket and Trampolining.
If this is not one of the sports you can do we can liaise with your coach/instructor and support you in an alternative choice. Most of the sports listed above can be performed in your own time via college, clubs and societies. In your college PE lessons we will introduce you to the sport of orienteering, through which you can learn to officiate, coach or perform! All AS students perform orienteering as their first practical assessed activity.

What does the theory work involve?
The theoretical content of the study units contains the following topics:-

Anatomy and Physiology
This topic covers a range of different areas at AS/A-level including muscle actions, fitness and health, nutrition, control of breathing/heart rate, energy sources, temperature regulation and lots more!

Biomechanics
The 'physics of human movement' will involve studying Newton's Laws, projectile/angular motion and lever systems. The emphasis is on applying such 'physics' to a variety of sporting situations.

Skill Acquisition
The AS course requires you to understand areas such as reaction time and memory linked to sport, as well as how to plan/deliver effective coaching sessions. The emphasis is placed on learning theory in practical teaching situations.

Sport Psychology
At A-level the main focus is how various aspects of mental preparation affect elite sports performers, including topics such as stress/anxiety control, arousal and controlling aggression.

Historical/Contemporary Issues
At both AS and A-level a variety of modern day issues relating to sports participation will be covered, including organisations and initiatives involved in raising participation levels amongst various sections of society. At A-level there is more of a focus on elite sport and how the UK is attempting to 'win more medals'. The historical development of state PE is covered at AS-level before a consideration of how sport became more organised and structured from the late 19th Century onwards, which is studied at A-level.

Why choose A-level PE?

• those with a genuine interest and ability in practical Physical Education
• those with an eye to a career in leisure, teaching, physiotherapy, nursing, management
• those who wish to combine a good A-level with a variety of others - with science - Biology and Physics, or arts - History, Geography, English
• those who can research and follow it up
• those who can openly discuss issues
• and most of all, those who will enjoy it!

Individual honours

• Richard Lovatt and Greg Moorhouse - British Colleges Mens Hockey Squad
• Paul Day, Jack Garrety, Oliver Taylor, Alex Kemp, Steven Stewart, Ben Burnett, Edmund Flint - all represented West Yorkshire
• Katie Ventors - Commonwealth Swimming Squad
• Matthew Marshall - BCS Boys Gold Squad Medal
• Sophie Woolven and Lucy Green - Final trialists for BCS Representative Netball Squad

Entry Requirement

Do I have to have done GCSE PE?
No. The course will be new to everyone although some PE and/or Biology will help.
Do I need to be good at sport?
No, because you do not have to be assessed on performance. You can choose to be assessed as an official or coach.
Which other "A" levels are useful with PE?
We have had students with all kinds of successful combinations and it depends on what you want as a career. If you want to be a Physiotherapist or PE Teacher then choose a science such as Biology. If you want to be a Sports Journalist then choose English.
What career will PE lead to?
Teaching, Physiotherapy, Sports Administration, Medicine or careers based on combinations with other A levels.
Enrichment activities
The PE department also contributes a great deal to college life in general. We offer a variety of courses on the enrichment programme in which students are encouraged to enjoy such activities as badminton, football, table tennis, basketball, aerobics and circuit training, according to availability and their needs. A fully equipped fitness room allows us to offer weight training, keep fit and fitness classes to those interested in improving their health. The New Hall and the use of the nearby Leisure Centre helps us to offer such a wide range of sporting and leisure activities.
The department runs courses for budding outdoor pursuits enthusiasts and Sports Coaches in the form of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Community Sports Leaders Award. The D of E students take part in regular evening and weekend outdoor activities which culminate in a residential camp with most of them gaining the Gold award. The CSLA course introduces would-be instructors to the methods of coaching and is a useful qualification for future teachers and those interested in the leisure industry.
On Wednesday afternoons the college comes to life when our regular sporting fixtures take place and teams compete against other 6th form colleges in soccer, rugby union, netball, hockey, badminton, basketball, tennis and cricket. The quality of our sports teams is indicated by our past performances.
All our college teams maintain a high position in the BCS leagues and Yorkshire Cup Competitions, sometimes sweeping the board as the rugby league team did in 2008. Regular training sessions ensure that our high standards are maintained and that our students continue to improve on their skills. County recognition regularly comes the way of Greenhead students, several of whom play rugby, football, hockey and netball for Yorkshire.
Sporting achievements 2008 - 2009
Highlights of the season:
Basketball
BCS NE League Champions
Netball
Runners up in BCS NE League
Hockey
BCS NE qualifiers boys and girls for BCS finals at Loughborough University
Football
Yorkshire and West Yorkshire winners
Rugby Union
Yorkshire Colleges Champions. Winners of Barnsley and Wakefield 10's tournaments