Sunday Times Secondary School of the Year 2023

St. Mary's Grammar School

Physical Education

SPECIFIC AIMS OF THE DEPARTMENT 

The Physical Education Department aims to:

  • develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of human performance through participation in a range of physical activities;

  • provide pupils with opportunities to acquire and develop to the highest level a range of physical skills related to selected games/sports;

  • develop in pupils self-discipline, confidence, competence and a positive attitude;

  • develop pupils’ appreciation of the relationship between physical activity and general health; and

  • promote pupils’ appreciation of the significance of co-operation and competition in individual and team games.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM 

At Key Stage 3, Physical Education is delivered over four lessons per fortnight.

Pupils study a broad and balanced range of activities in the following areas of study:

  • Athletics

  • Dance

  • Games

  • Gymnastics

In Year 8 and Year 9 pupils participate in connected learning opportunities with other subject areas through a thematic approach. They investigate a number of areas including Personal Health.

YEAR 8 CURRICULUM

  • Athletics including cross country and track and field.

  • Dance

  • Games including badminton, basketball, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Soccer

  • Gymnastics

YEAR 9 CURRICULUM

  • Athletics including cross country and track and field.

  • Dance

  • Games including badminton, basketball, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Soccer

  • Gymnastics

YEAR 10 CURRICULUM

  • Athletics including cross country and track and field.

  • Dance

  • Games including badminton, basketball, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Soccer

  • Gymnastics

 OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM 

At Key Stage 4, the Physical Education Department offers Physical Education at GCSE Level. Pupils follow the CCEA specification. Physical Education is delivered over six lessons per fortnight.

 

Unit 1:

Factors Underpinning Health and Performance

External written examination 1 hour 15 mins

Students answer short response questions and questions that require extended writing.

100 marks 25%

This is a linear qualification. Assessment is available each Summer from 2019.

 

Unit 2:

Developing Performance

 External written examination 1 hour 15 mins

 Students answer short response questions and questions that require extended writing.

 100 marks 25%

 

Unit 3:

Individual Performances in Physical Activities and Sports

 Controlled assessment

(a)  Students are assessed on the consistent quality, efficiency and effectiveness of their performances in physical activities and/or sports.

 Students perform three physical activities and/or sports from the list that we supply.

For one physical activity or sport, the assessment may be based on the consistent quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the student’s performance as an event manager.

 3× 50 = 150 marks

 And

 (b) Students are assessed on the consistent quality of their analysis and evaluation of their own and others’ performances.

 50 marks 50%

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM 

At Key Stage 5, the Physical Education Department offers A Level Physical Education and BTEC sport at AS and A2 Level.  Students follow the WJEC specification for A level and the Pearson specification for BTEC. At AS and A2 Level, Physical Education is delivered over eleven lessons per fortnight.

 

At AS Level, students must successfully complete two modules.  A further two modules must be successfully completed at A2 Level.

 The WJEC AS and A level in physical education provides a coherent combination of four areas of study:

      1. Exercise physiology, performance analysis and training

      2. Sport psychology

      3. Skill acquisition

      4. Sport and society

 

Any of the areas of study can be assessed in any of the units. The content can be assessed in units 1 and 3 as part of the written examinations and in units 2 and 4 as part of the analysis and evaluation of performance. The specification enables learners to understand the interrelationships between the areas of study and apply them in a variety of contexts.

At Key Stage 5, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and fitness. They are offered a number of weekly activity sessions or designated periods when they can use the fully equipped Fitness Suite.

 

AS PHYSICAL EDUCATION

AS Unit 1: Exploring physical education

Written examination: 1¾ hours

24% of qualification 72 marks

To assess all AS subject content

Question types

Contextualised questions to include multiple choice, data response, short and extended answers

 

AS Unit 2: Improving personal performance in physical education

Non-exam assessment

16% of qualification 48 marks

To assess

      • practical performance in one activity as a player/performer

      • practical performance as a coach or official

      • Personal Performance Profile

 

A2 PHYSICAL EDUCATION

A2 Unit 3: Evaluating physical education

Written examination: 2 hours

36% of qualification 90 marks

To assess all A level subject content

Question types

A range of questions to include data response, short and extended answers

 

A2 Unit 4: Redefining personal performance in physical education

Non-exam assessment

24% of qualification 60 marks

To assess

      • practical performance in one activity as a player/performer,

      • coach or official

      • Investigative Research

 

BTEC SPORT

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate – 360 Guided Learning Hours

 The Pearson BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sport is an Applied General qualification for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment in the sport sector. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level, and it has been designed as a one-year, full-time study programme, or a full two-year programme when studied alongside a further study.

 

Learners will study three mandatory units:

  • Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology (Assessed via a 90-minute external exam)
  • Unit 2: Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (Assessed by an external task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions)
  • Unit 3: Professional Development in the Sports Industry (Coursework-based unit)

Learners will also complete one optional unit from a range which has been designed to support choices in progression to sport courses in higher education, and to link with relevant occupational areas. The PE department has chosen Unit 5: Application of Fitness Testing as the optional unit to complete the Extended Certificate.

ADDITIONAL SUBJECT INFORMATION

EXTRA- CURRICULAR PROVISION

The Physical Education Department contributes extensively to the school’s extra-curricular provision. Extra-curricular activities include:

      • Aerobics

      • Athletics

      • Badminton

      • Camogie

      • Creative/Modern Dance

      • Cross Country

      • Circuit Training

      • Gaelic Football

      • Golf

      • Gymnastics

      • Handball

      • Hurling

      • Netball

      • Olympic Group

      • Outdoor Education

      • Rounders

      • Sky Sports Living for Sport

      • Swimming

      • Table-Tennis

      • Volleyball

Throughout the year, individual pupils and teams are entered for Area Board, Regional and Provincial competitions. Successful teams compete regularly at All - Ireland level.

The Physical Education Department also provides students with a range of opportunities to develop their sports leadership skills and gain coaching qualifications, including:

      • Foundation Level Coaching

      • Top Link Training

      • Child Protection Certificate

      • Volunteer Now

 

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

The sports facilities at the school include a fully-equipped sports hall with two handball walls, a fully equipped gymnasium, a fitness suite with a wide range of cardio vascular machines, a strength and conditioning suite, four grass pitches and five tennis courts.

 

CAREERS INFORMATION

The study of Physical Education is useful for students wishing to pursue careers in areas such as:

    • Sports Practitioner (e.g. Sports Coach, Sportsman/woman, Fitness Instructor; Personal Trainer)

    • Sports Management (e.g. Sports Agent, Sports Administrator)

    • Sports Promotion (e.g. Sports Development, Sports Marketing and PR, Sports Sponsorship)

    • Sports Reporting (e.g. Sports Journalist, Sports Commentator, Sports Website Designer)

    • Sports Equipment Manufacture and Retailing

    • Sports Science (e.g. Sports Therapy, Sports Psychology)

    • Sports Law

    • Teaching

    • Sports Medicine (e.g. Physiotherapy)

Awards