Prospectus
Physical Education Department
Introduction and Aims
At The Downs School, the work carried out in the PE Department aims to support, contribute to and complement the aims of the school as a whole.
The PE Department gives equal opportunities to students so that they may participate in a broad and balanced range of activities. All students experience working in both co-operative and competitive situations within the guidelines of the National Curriculum.
Through enjoyable learning experiences, it is hoped that a positive attitude towards physical activity, a sense of achievement and a development of self-confidence may be fostered.
Key Stage 3
Students in Years 7, 8 and some in Year 9 follow a varied programme.
- During the year students follow courses in:–
- Athletics (running, jumping and throwing)
- Games (invasion, net/wall, striking/fielding)
- Gymnastics (floor work, partner, group and apparatus work)
- Outdoor Education (problem solving, orienteering)
- Swimming (strokes, personal survival)
Each activity block lasts for approximately six lessons.
By the end of an activity block, each student will be graded on National Curriculum strands of assessment, helping to generate an ongoing bank of data regarding the individual’s progress and standards.
It is expected that all pupils will extend their sporting experiences in school by participating in at least one out of school sporting / exercise-related activity per week.
All pupils should be looking for ways to take part in at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day (for a minimum of 5 days a week).School PE lessons provide 2 hours of activity a week and there are several extra-curricular clubs designed to extend and enrich pupils’ involvement in sport in addition. Pupils are encouraged to ask for advice from staff on their exercise regime and/or details of external clubs and organisations which may provide further opportunities outside of school.
BTEC Sport Level 2
There are NO EXAMS to sit on this BTEC course. Various methods are used to assess a student’s progress.
These include:
- Practical assessments
- Role plays
- Producing information for websites
- Producing posters, leaflets etc.
Units of study
BTEC Sport Certificate (1GCSE)
Unit 1 – Fitness testing and training (5 credits)
Unit 2 – Practical Sport (10 credits)
Some students progress further and do extra modules and complete the Extended Certificate.
Extended Certificate (2 GCSEs)
Unit 20 – Planning and running a sports event (10 credits)
Unit 11 (integrated with unit 1) Development of personal fitness (5 credits)
Level of qualification
There are 4 levels that can be achieved
- Pass (C grade)
- Merit (B)
- Distinction (A)
- Distinction * (A*)
GCSE
Many students follow GCSE Full Course in PE. They have discrete lessons each week, in addition to one double lesson of Core PE. (Year 10 has 2 GCSE lessons and Year 11 has 3.)
All other students have a Core PE double lesson per week. The Core PE programme allows students to select sports from a range of sporting activities. They pursue these activities during Years 10 and 11. All students additionally undertake a short block of athletics and swimming in the summer term.
Each activity block is undertaken for two blocks of approximately 6 weeks each. Reports are written for GCSE students only and comments will reflect course criteria.
Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level
‘A’ Level Sport and PE is offered in the sixth form. It includes 40% practical coursework and 60% on physiological, psychological and social, cultural and historical aspects.
Students have to analyse and evaluate their own and others’ performances and are assessed internally (moderated externally) at the end of AS and A2 courses.
Course Aims
Entry Requirements
The course will suit those students who have followed a GCSE PE Full Course in KS4.In order to consider/be considered for the course, students should be capable of at least some of the following:
- A or B grades in GCSE PE (including minimum of grade C for the written paper)
- A or B grades in GCSE Science;
- ability to write coherently;
- have a keen interest in furthering knowledge and understanding of theoretical sporting principles;
- be prepared to apply themselves to study out of lesson time, through research and investigation when applicable;
- keen commitment to participation in at least one or two sports clubs outside school.
Course Structure
AS Level
A healthy, active lifestyle
Have you considered:
- How the body and its systems contribute to your pursuit of a healthy, active lifestyle?
- How skill is acquired and about the impact of psychological influences on your performance?
- How your opportunities for participation came about, or what is actually available to you and others? (Unit One – 2 hour written paper)
- You will be given scope to adopt different roles as you analyse and evaluate physical activity as performer, coach/leader and/or official (practical involvement outside of lessons is essential)
(Unit Two – Externally moderated practical assessment)
A2 Level
Optimising performance within sport
Would you like to know how to produce your best performances? Acquire an insight through the study of different lines of enquiry.
(Unit Three – 2 hour written paper)
Carry out an in-depth study of one role of practical involvement from a chosen activity, drawing on knowledge from theory elements.
(Unit Four - Externally moderated practical assessment)
Career and Higher Education Opportunities
Physical Education is considered an academic subject by universities and employers, often leading onto a wide range of opportunities such as:
- Sports Science
- Sports Coaching
- Sports / Physiotherapy
- Armed Forces
- Personal Fitness Training
- Police
- Sports Business Management
- Teacher Training
- Sports & Leisure Recreation Management
– Sport Technology
Extra Curricular
A wide range of activities is offered at lunchtime and after school clubs. These are run in the major games, athletics and swimming, as appropriate at different times of the year.School teams are run in rugby, netball, football, hockey, badminton, basketball, cross country, athletics, cricket and rounders.
