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Physical Education - GCSE PE

Physical Education should inspire all students to succeed and excel in competitive sports and other physically-demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for our students to become more physically competent in ways that support their health, fitness and wellbeing. Our curriculum offers all students the chance to compete in sports and other activities which build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

GSCE PE gives students an in-depth understanding of factors that affect PE, sport and performance. The course is assessed through written examinations focusing on the human body and movement as well as socio-cultural influences and well-being. Students will also undertake practical lessons where they will have the opportunity to develop their sporting performance. 

Areas of study: 

Unit 1 - The human body and movement in physical activity and sport 

Students are introduced to content relating to the human body including movement analysis, physical training and body systems. 

Unit 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport 

Students are given an understanding of the socio-cultural influences as well as the impact and benefits of health, fitness and well-being. 

Unit 3: Practical performance in physical activity and sport 

Students will be assessed in three practical activities, one of which must be an individual activity or one of which must be a team activity. Students will also complete a controlled assessment where they will be required to identify the strength and weaknesses of a sporting performance, then advise on how to improve upon it. 

Curriculum information

Year 

Autumn 

Spring 

Summer 

10 

In Year 10 AQA GCSE PE students will revisit theoretical knowledge of physical training in relation to components of fitness and training required by different sports performers and develop knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology, movement analysis and sports psychology. In a practical sense, students will participate in a variety of different sports in order to help improve skills which will also be assessed for the practical element of their grade. In addition to this, students will begin to complete the written NEA element of the course by analysing their own performance in sport. Throughout the year students are expected to work to the best of their ability, work independently and participate in physical activity outside of lesson time on a regular basis. 

 

Topics covered this term: 

 

  • Effects of exercise 

  • Levers and mechanical advantage 

  • Planes and axis 

  • Skill and ability 

  • Classification of skill 

  • Arousal and inverted U theory 

  • Stress management 

  • Types of goals 

  • SMART targets 

  • Information processing 

 

Topics covered this term: 

 

  • Guidance and feedback 

  • Health and fitness 

  • Sedentary lifestyle 

  • Obesity 

  • Energy use 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics covered this term: 

 

  • Balanced diet 

  • Hydration 

  • NEA – Coursework part 1. Analysis of sports performance 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 

In Year 11 AQA GCSE PE students will develop theoretical knowledge of socio-cultural influences impacting on participation. In a practical sense, students will participate in a variety of different sports in order to help improve skills which will also be assessed for the practical element of their grade. In addition to this, students will continue to complete the written NEA element of the course by evaluating their own performance in sport an action plan to improve a particular aspect. Throughout the year students are expected to work to the best of their ability, work independently and participate in physical activity outside of lesson time on a regular basis. 

 

Topics covered this term: 

  • Aggression 

  • Personality 

  • Motivation 

  • Engagement Patterns  

  • Commercialisation 

  • Sponsorship 

  • Media/Technology  

 

Topics covered this term: 

 

  • Performance Enhancing Drugs 

  • Spectator Behaviour  

  • Effects of Exercise  

  • Cardiorespiratory System  

 

 

Topics covered this term: 

  • Lever Systems  

  • Movement/Joint analysis and review of musculoskeletal system  

  • Revision of Year 10 and 11 content 

 

 
GCSE PE is great as we get a good mix of theory, which is interesting, but also the practical side too.
Year 10 student
GCSE PE is really interesting, I particularly enjoy learning about the Psychology that goes behind a performance or the mindset of elite athletes and coaches.
Yaer 11 student