GCSE & A-Level Information
G.C.S.E Physical Education
Students have one double practical lesson and one single theory lesson per week. Students should be participating at school or club level in a number or sports.
The course is divided up as follows:
60% practical assessment: 25% practical coursework
25% final practical examination
10% Analysis of Performance
40% theoretical assessment: a final written paper worth 150 marks.
Practical Lessons
Students must bring their kit to every practical lesson. Even if students are injured, they will take a limited but appropriate part in the lesson. The sports covered in lesson time during the two year course are:
- Badminton
- Rounders
- Fitness and Exercise Training
- Trampolining
- Netball (Girls)
- Hockey (Girls)
- Basketball (Boys)
- Rugby/Football (Boys)
During practical lessons, students will be aiming to apply theoretical concepts to practical performance as well as improving their own practical performance.
Theory Lessons
The theory components covered are as follows:
- The Skeleton
- Muscles
- Joints
- The Circulatory System
- The Respiratory System
- Exercise and Training
- Diet, Health and Hygiene
- Safety Aspects and Risk Assessment
- Reasons for Participating in Physical Activity
At the end of each topic covered, students will take an Assessment of Learning.
Major pieces of work
Compulsory pieces of work to submit are:
TITLE: |
WHEN DUE: |
Analysis of Performance Coaching Booklet |
By the Easter Holidays in Year 10. |
Reasons for participating in physical activity. |
The first week back in Year 11. |
Personal Exercise Programme |
December of Year 11 |
Analysis of Performance |
January of Year 11 |
Assessments and Examinations
TITLE |
WHEN |
End of Topic Tests (8 to complete) |
After each unit of theory work is completed. |
Practical Assessment |
During each practical lesson and on the completion of each practical block |
Year 10 Theory Examination |
At the end of Year 10 |
Year 11 Mock Theory and Practical Examination |
December of Year 11 |
Analysis of Performance |
No later the end of January in Year 11 |
Final Practical Examination |
Around Easter of Year 11 |
Final Theory Examination |
May of Year 11 |
Advanced level Physical Education
Introduction and overview
This course takes a multi-disciplinary approach, encouraging the development of different methods of enquiry, with the focal point being the performer and the performance. The course is based on the understanding of the links between the theory and practice of Physical Education. Before candidates start this course, it would be helpful for them to have studied G.C.S.E Physical Education, however, there have been many successful students who have not taken G.C.S.E PE. The intention is to extend knowledge brought from Key Stage 4 and G.C.S.E to an Advanced level. Candidates cover a foundation programme at A/S level with opportunities for staged assessment. For those who wish, AS is followed by a more demanding and qualitative requirement at A2, where study of modules 2566 and 2567 leads to synoptic assessment involving the integration of knowledge across different areas of the subject. The course aims to provide candidates with the knowledge and understanding to improve their own level of performance. Candidates choose two activities at AS and A2 from an extensive range which includes athletics, football tennis, golf, mountain walking, sailing and skiing. This course is made up of six modules, examined through six units of assessment. For Advanced Subsidiary, candidates must study and be assessed on their performance in the three AS units. For Advanced GCE, candidates must have studied for and been assessed on their performance in the three AS units, together with three A2 units. The following three units form the AS GCE qualification:
For the full Advanced GCE award candidates must also take the following three units:
With a qualification in Physical Education candidates can go on to higher education and pursue a career in teaching and coaching or professional sport, or work in the leisure industry, recreational management or the health and fitness industry. |
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How is the course assessed?
It is intended to enter all students for AS level qualification at the end of year 12 and this is achieved via a combination of external examination and internal coursework. However it may be that there are some for whom this is not the best option and in this instance other avenues will be explored.
At AS level three units contribute towards the final grade:
2562 |
2563 |
2564 |
Anatomy & Physiology Acquisition of Skill
40% 120 marks External examination 2 questions on each topic – all must be answered - each question is structured into a series of short sub-questions -use of technical language is expected |
Contemporary studies in Physical Education
30% 90 marks External examination 2 questions – both to be answered – includes assessment of Quality of Written Communication |
Performance and its improvement through Critical Analysis 30% 90 marks Internal assessment Candidates are assessed in 2 chosen activities taken from different activity profiles plus a personal performance portfolio The assessment is weighted as follows:- Selection and application of skills - 20% Personal Performance Portfolio – 10% |
Once a grade is achieved by the student there are then two choices:
- To defer the award and to continue on to A2 PE and complete the ‘A’ level – this is the what most students do. It is also then possible to re-sit units if the student wishes to improve the mark achieved.
- To accept the award – the student will receive an award from the exam board – for students who no longer wish to continue on to A2 PE
A2 level
A2 level is again assessed in three units – and the scores obtained from these are added to those gained at A/s level to compute the final ‘A’ level grade. The three units are:
2565 |
2566 |
2567 |
Historical Studies in PE Psychology of Sport Performance 15% 90marks External examination 1 question on each topic Each question is divided into sub-questions Includes assessment of Quality of Written Communication |
Exercise Physiology Synoptic Element
20% 120 marks External examination 1 compulsory question on Ex. Physiology Synoptic element - 1 question from a choice of 2 This question assesses candidates ability to bring together knowledge of principles and concepts across a range of study areas – in particular linking theory to practice and A/s theory to A2 theory Includes assessment of Quality of Written Communication |
The Improvement of Effective Performance and Critical Evaluation 15% 90marks Internal assessment Candidates are assessed in 2 chosen activities taken from different activity profiles and in an oral test to show their appreciation and evaluation of performance. The assessment is weighted as follows:- Effective performance in open situation – 10% Evaluation and appreciation of performance – 5% |
Grade Award
The grade awarded is determined by a calculation of marks which are awarded to the candidate for each unit that is assessed.
At AS level there are a possible 300 marks available and grades are awarded using the table shown:
Grade Marks required
a 240 or above
b 210 – 239
c 180 – 209
d 150 – 179
e 120 – 149
For the full A level award AS marks are added to those awarded in A2 units (2565, 2566 & 2567) and then a grade is calculated using the table shown:-
Grade Marks required
A 480 and above
B 420 – 479
C 360 – 419
D 300 – 359
E 240 – 299
Coursework Elements
Practical Activities
As indicated earlier all candidates are assessed in two practical activities at both AS and A2 level.
It is expected that all candidates will be regularly involved in practical activities outside of the course – in a similar way that Music students would be expected to play an instrument and practice regularly. There will be some opportunity within college to get involved in certain activities but students should be developing and extending their skills in their own time.
It is important to note that two activities are required. Some students in the past have not had a sufficiently strong second activity and so have not achieved the scores that they may have expected. In order to overcome this problem the PE department organises a Mountain Walking option – which is a 2 day experience at AS level and a 3 day expedition for A2 assessment.
However there are other options available but these are too many to list – so some research is needed via www.ocr.org.uk
At AS level
Candidates are assessed on their ability to select and perform patterned specific movements consistently in an applied conditioned skill environment. This means that candidates are required to chose the appropriate skills and apply them consistently in conditioned game situations.
At A2 level
Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform effectively in the contextual situation in which the activity is normally performed. This effective performance is assessed against the criteria identified for each activity.
Practical Performance Portfolio
This contributes 10% to the AS practical assessment.
The portfolio is a working document which is unique to each candidate and reflects their personal experiences and development.
It should give the candidate an understanding of the factors that interact and affect performance, providing them with the necessary skills to develop strategies for improvement.
The Personal Performance Portfolio should focus on one practical activity which should be on one of the candidate’s two assessed activities.
Evaluation and appreciation of performance through observation and synopsis of knowledge
This contributes 5% to the A2 practical assessment
The candidate is required to watch and analyse performance in one of their chosen activities and to give an oral response of their thoughts.
It is expected that the candidate will be able to recognise strengths and weaknesses of performance and to be able to justify such assertions.
Candidates must also be able to relate relevant aspects of theory to the performance being viewed.
