Although not a prerequisite, GCSE PE is certainly of benefit to students who wish to study Physical Education at A level.
In the Lower Sixth, two units are studied. The first is An Introduction to Physical Education which includes Anatomy and Physiology, Acquiring Movement Skills and Socio-cultural Studies. The second unit is Acquiring, Developing and Evaluating Practical Skills in Physical Education. In this unit pupils will opt for two practical activity choices from a range of exam board approved activities. Pupils will work towards analysing and evaluating a live performance in one or their own assessed activities. The Theory component is 65% of the total AS course and the Practical Component is 35% of the total AS course.
In the Upper Sixth two units are studied. The first is Principles and Concepts across different areas of Physical Education (2 ½ hour written exam). This unit has two sections – Socio-cultural option. This is Historical Studies where pupils will acquire an appreciation of the historical factors that impact upon participation and competence in physical activity, the second is Scientific Options which is either Exercise and Sport Physiology where pupils will acquire an appreciation of how the body changes as a result of physical activity or, Sports Psychology, where pupils will acquire an appreciation of the sports psychology factors that impact upon participation and competence in physical activity.
The second unit in the Upper Sixth is The Improvement of Effective Performance and the Critical Evaluation of Practical Activities in Physical Education. In this unit pupils will build upon the skills acquired and developed at AS in one of their chosen activities activities and work towards analysing and evaluating a live performance of their own assessed activity. Pupils are assessed in one chosen activity and in response to a live performance. The Theory Component is 65% of the total A level course and the Practical Component is 35% of the total A level course.
08 September 2010