Intent
We study PE to develop the physical, social and emotional well-being of our students. We aim to provide an engaging and challenging curriculum that allows (all) students to achieve beyond their expectations. To offer excellent opportunities to develop a healthy life-long love of physical activity and to develop a first-class teaching and learning environment, where both staff and students enjoy working hard together to achieve success. We want all students to feel they belong as part of a team, believe in their healthy potential and thrive physically, socially and emotionally. We do this by developing the attitudes, skills and knowledge required to be a leader and provide memorable experiences throughout a student’s journey within Physical Education.
Students will be provided with a variety of opportunities and experiences throughout their time at Stanley High School, challenging them both inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout the years, students have the opportunity of experiencing a robust programme of awards, qualifications and memorable learning experiences. Students will develop physical, technical and tactical sporting skills; enhanced by an embedded focus on mental skills such as resilience, determination and confidence. There will be an emphasis on improving fitness in conjunction with health and well-being, through knowledge and application. Leadership skills take a strong emphasis throughout the key stages, with students able to take on additional roles than just a performer.
We aim to ensure all students leave the school possessing the skills, motivation and knowledge to enjoy a lifelong engagement with sports and physical activity. We trust that our broad and balanced PE curriculum will allow students to develop their love of movement and sport well beyond their time with us.
Key Stage 3
In years 7, 8 and 9 students will focus on improving their physical, social and emotional well-being through an engaging range of sports and physical activities. Development of students’ physical literacy is key, with students assessed on the attitudes, skills and knowledge or becoming happy, healthy and successful people through PE. This is achieved through experiencing a range of sporting activities within specific areas (invasion, net-wall, performing at maximum, accurate replication and striking and fielding).
Key Stage 4
In years 10 and 11, students will continue to develop their confidence, motivation, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. This is done by ensuring lessons are both engaging and purposeful. This is achieved through experiencing a range of sporting activities within specific areas (invasion, net-wall, performing at maximum, accurate replication, non-traditional and striking and fielding).
Students selecting BTEC Sport as a vocational pathway will be assessed on leadership, practical sports performance, psychology of sport and the body’s response to exercise amongst other options. This is all achieved by teaching theoretical content through and alongside high-quality practical PE. They will receive 5 lessons across the two-week timetable.
Students selecting the OCR GCSE Physical Education in Years 10 & 11 as part of their GCSE option, choices will also receive 5 periods across the two-week timetable.
GCSE Physical Education will equip learners with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to develop and maintain their performance in physical activities and understand the benefits to health, fitness and well-being. This will require them to:
- Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance
- Understand how the physiological and psychological state affects performance in physical activity and sport.
- Perform effectively in different physical activities by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/ or compositional ideas.
- Develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance in physical activity and sport.
- Understand the contribution which physical activity and sport make to health, fitness and well-being.
- Understand key socio-cultural influences which can affect people’s involvement in physical activity and sport.
We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious Physical Education curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which develops physical, social and emotional well-being which prepares them well for future learning or employment. Our Physical Education curriculum will give students the opportunity to:
- Develop a healthy life-long love of physical activity;
- Experience a first class learning environment;
- Be part of a team, and develop this well-being;
- Experience a variety of opportunities and experience through sport and physical activity;
- Gain leadership skills;
- Develop physical, technical and tactical sporting skills.
Implementation
At Stanley High School, our overarching aim is to provide a high quality, broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and enrichment program that encourages excellence, lifelong participation and enjoyment of sport and physical activity.
PE Curriculum Maps
Dance Curriculum Maps
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 the focus in PE is on a broad and balanced curriculum which gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of different sports. Within these sports, the focus is on developing a deep knowledge of the movement, skills and tactics which underpin all sports, such as throwing, catching and movement skills in team sports; forehand, backhand and footwork skills in net sports; and finally hitting, retrieving and tactical awareness in striking and fielding sports.
As well as the practical focus we also look to embed a theoretical theme across each year group. Each term focuses on a strand of theoretical knowledge which underpins sports performance, this helps to create a bigger picture for our students of what it takes to be an elite sports person. Example themes are basic anatomy and physiology, the components of fitness and effective warm ups. These key concepts will be taught discretely through depth of questioning and, where relevant, when teaching knowledge of successful skill acquisition.
The sports at Key Stage 3 are selected to best suit the intent, the cohort of students, staff specialisms, and in years 8 and 9, to best suit the learning styles of the students. Students are assessed on each sport both practically and on the theoretical strands. This is done through the class teachers’ observations and interactions with each student across the term. This ensures that those students who have a deep knowledge of physical education, but not necessarily the practical ability, can still gain successful attainment within the subject.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 we also have a varied offer for our examined options ensuring that we are inclusive for all students who wish to follow a sports-based route. Whether students follow Pearson BTEC Sport, OCR GCSE PE or Dance they will receive 5 x 1 hour lessons per fortnight of high-quality teaching. These 5 lessons allow students to embed key knowledge and skills that are required to achieve. Students are taught in a variety of engaging ways, to develop the key concepts and skills necessary with an emphasis put on creative, imaginative and interactional ways to learn.
The long-term plans are developed to sequence learning in a way which flows across the key stage with each topic area leading into, and relating to the next, this ensure there is fluency of learning as opposed to discrete sections of unrelated content. For example, anatomy and physiology, and health fitness and training are always taught first as this underpins all links back to all other areas of the specification. This way students see the knowledge as a ‘bigger picture’ with clear context as to why each new piece of learning is required to be successful in the course.
Links:
OCR GCSE PE specification:
Pearson BTEC Sport specification:
Impact
Students at Key Stage 3 will be able to speak with confidence about their physical literacy. They will be able to explain how physical competence, mastery and knowledge, and character and confidence impact on their sports performance and their overall health and wellbeing. The breadth and depth allow students to find an area of the curriculum which appeals to them and helps to promote a positive attitude towards having an ongoing healthy and active lifestyle. The love of sport and physical education at Stanley High School is evident with the uptake in our ‘sport enrichment’ programme, providing a competitive sports pathway for our students both inside and outside of school via community links.
At Key Stage 4 CORE PE, the students will demonstrate positive engagement in sports and exercise through the options programme tailored to their needs in order that the positive engagement continues beyond their schooling.
Students at Key Stage 4 within the examined curriculum will gain qualifications which allow them to access further education courses and pursue possible careers in all areas of the sports and exercise industry.
Enrichment/Extra-curricular
Our enrichment/extra-curricular programme, open to all our students on a competitive and social basis, is run throughout the academic year. For those wishing to play competitively we provide further opportunities to represent the school in District, Regional, Zonal and National competitions. Students with more developed talent are provided with opportunities to trial for a variety of representative squads, while elite athletes are supported in balancing their academic and sporting commitments.
Post-16 Pathways and Careers
What skills will I gain from studying PE?
You’ll gain many valuable skills from studying physical education that will help you in other GCSE and A-level subjects as well as your future career. Some of the skills that you will develop include:
Communication skills
Many aspects of PE involves working in teams towards a common goal. Through playing team sports and problem solving with others, you’ll develop clear communication skills that will help you in the workplace. Every employer looks for candidates who are able to communicate well verbally and in writing.
Social skills
Physical education is a very social subject and can involve a lot of group work. You’ll learn how communicate and socialise with people in an effective way. When you start working, you’ll encounter people from a range of different backgrounds, each with different personalities. Studying PE will help you learn how to best communicate with people in a team in order to produce the best results.
Analysis and evaluation
At GCSE and A-Level, PE involves analysing your own and others’ performance while looking for ways it could be improved. This is a particularly useful skill to have in your career as you’ll often have to critique your own work and identify areas for improvement. If you work in management, you’ll also benefit from the soft skills that PE teaches and will learn how to deliver messages clearly and effectively.
Physical fitness
As a PE student, you’ll also benefit from being physically fit! Not only will this help you in the physical side of the subject itself, but it’ll also improve your general well-being. Doing regular exercise is proven to relieve stress and promote good mental health.
What careers can I do with physical education?
Physical education lends itself to a range of careers in sports and fitness as well as other industries that you may not have considered before. For example, did you know that many nutritionists, physical therapists and chiropractors have a degree in PE? Some careers that you could consider doing with PE include:
- Sports science
- PE teacher
- Physiotherapist
- Professional sportsperson
- Sports coach/consultant
- Sports policy at local and national level
- Diet and fitness instructor
- Personal trainer
What degrees and other qualifications do I need PE for?
If you want to specialise in coaching or teaching a specific sport, then there’s a chance that you’ll need to have a degree in physical education. If you plan to study Sports Science or Occupational Therapy, then have GCSE and A-level PE will certainly come in useful when applying to university. However, very institution is different, and you should check the entry criteria with individual universities when applying for degree programmes.
What subjects go with physical education?
At GCSE and A-level, physics, chemistry and biology go well with physical education and will be particularly useful when applying for jobs and university courses. If your school offers sports science or sports science as well as PE, then these subjects will also impress an employer or university.
Sports and Leisure Careers
Athlete
Track and field athlete
Athletes compete in track and field events for their clubs, and some go on to represent their country at international level.
Fitness Instructor
Fitness trainer
Fitness instructors organise exercise programmes to improve people’s health and fitness.
Football Referee
A football referee is an official in charge of the game at local, youth, amateur and professional football matches.
Health Trainer
Health trainers promote healthy living and help people make healthier lifestyle choices.
Leisure Centre Assistant
Leisure centre assistants help and supervise visitors using leisure centre facilities.
Leisure Centre Manager
Sports centre manager, gym manager
Leisure centre managers look after the day-to-day running of sports and leisure centres.
Lifeguard
Swimming pool attendant, recreation assistant, beach lifeguard
Lifeguards look after swimming areas, help swimmers to stay safe and carry out rescues in emergencies.
Outdoor Activities Instructor
Outdoor activities instructors lead trips and teach skills in activities like hill walking, climbing, canoeing, skiing and snowboarding.
PE Teacher
Physical education teacher
Physical education (PE) teachers work in schools and colleges, teaching sports and fitness to young people.
Performance Sports Scientist
Sports and exercise scientist, Sports performance analyst, Sports physiologist
Sports scientists use knowledge of how the body works to help people improve their health or sporting ability.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers work with clients to improve their health and fitness.
Sport and Exercise Psychologist
Sport and exercise psychologists work with athletes, teams and coaches to improve their motivation and performance.
Sports Coach
Sports coaches teach sports skills to individuals and teams of all abilities.
Sports Commentator
Sports announcer, sports presenter, pundit
Sports commentators describe what’s happening at sporting events and offer their opinions to listeners and viewers.
Sports Development Officer
Sports development officers organise projects and training to encourage people to take part in sports and have a healthier lifestyle.
Sports Physiotherapist
Sports physiotherapists diagnose and treat sports injuries.
Sports professional
Sports professionals are skilled and talented sports performers, who are paid to compete in their chosen sport.
Promoting British values in PE
Democracy
- Students know how to behave in PE in a way that is acceptable socially.
- Students understand and accept the roles of Captain, Vice-captain, team players, coaches, officials and choreographers.
- Students have opportunities to work individually and in teams, making informed choices.
- Students are fully engaged in lessons.
- The extra-curricular programme is inclusive and activities are well attended.
The Rule of Law
- Students can play within the rules across all activities.
- Students can understand the need for rules, adhere to them and develop rules for activities they have opportunities to create themselves.
- Students adhere to and understand the rules regarding health and safety as an individual or within a group.
- Students can solve problems on their own or collaboratively.
- Students demonstrate good social skills outside of their immediate friendship group.
- Students can adhere to the social etiquette related to the activities they perform in.
Individual Liberty
- Students respect individual differences and are confident to express their opinions whilst respecting others’ views.
- Students are able to make judgements about their own and other performances.
- Students feel safe in curricular and extra-curricular activities, as well as on off-site visits.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
- Students have opportunities to explore different Dance styles and the historical aspects of various sporting activities.
- Students can articulate their own beliefs.
- Students are able to avoid sporting stereotypes through their participation in a variety of sporting activities.
- Students respect PE equipment and the School’s buildings and facilities.
- Students respect the local countryside and environment when making their way to and from school.
- Students respect other schools and venues associated with extra-curricular fixtures and visits.
- Students know the value of PE, are able to contribute to their development and accept rewards and sanctions