Physical Education, A Level

Students should ensure that they meet the entry requirements for the courses they are applying for (available on subject pages) as well as the overall entry requirements (5 grades at level 4 or above but must include English and Maths).

Students need to choose a minimum of three subjects to study. Please note that all of our BTEC courses are single BTEC's and equivalent to 1 A Level, you will need to choose two further subjects if choosing a BTEC course.

Please ensure you have put contact details for yourself and a parent should we need to contact you.

This course looks at how an athlete optimises performance. This includes how physiology imprints elite performance as well as studying psychological and Socio-cultural aspects of sport. Students also look at analysis of performance in competition, identifying weaknesses and suggesting corrective practice to bring about improvement.

You must be a competent performer of one sport from the specification to undertake this subject.

Physical Education is studied over two years and made up of three units. In each year students’ study 10 hours over two weeks (9 hours of theory lessons and one hour practical/analysis lesson).

Unit 1: covers factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport

Unit 2: covers factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport

Unit 3: covers practical performance in physical activity and sport.

Unit 3 involves students collecting video evidence of themselves performing in one practical sport in a full competitive context. Evidence needs to be collected in accordance with the practical specification over the course of the two years and will need to be submitted by March of Year 13 at the latest. Students will also have to complete a piece of coursework as part of this unit.

The A Level will assess ALL content from both years of the course and will be examined in June of the second year of study. Continuous assessment will be used to inform the students progression in Year 13 and their registration for the A Level exam.

The A Level exam will consist of two 2 hour written exams and 1 practical performance which will be internally assessed and externally modified through a piece of written coursework and moderation day for some students (if chosen).

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE Physical Education
• Must be participating in a sport at a competitive level

If Physical Education has not been taken at GCSE:

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE Biology or 5-5 in GCSE Combined Science
• Must be participating in a sport at a competitive level

You need to be predicted and achieve all the grades listed above in order to undertake this subject.

Our PE department has grown numerous national champions in a wide range of sports - the most famous probably being Michael Vaughan, the former England cricket captain. More recently Cameron Dawson and George Long went on to become goalkeepers for Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United respectively. Others have gone on to become leading lights in diving, basketball, badminton, dancing, water polo, golf, tennis and racquetball.

A Level PE can help you access a variety of sports, related higher education courses and careers in Psychology, Journalism, Photography, Administration, Coaching, Leisure Management, Teaching, Physiotherapy and Fitness instructor.