Physical Education
Exam Board: OCR

The course is intended for students who are both physically able and who have a strong desire to study in depth, academic aspects of Physical Education.  The theoretic aspects account for 70% of the total marks.  This includes Anatomy and Physiology, Acquisition of Skill, Socio Cultural studies in Year 12 and Historical aspects, Psychology and Exercise Physiology in Year 13.  There will be practical modules in both Year 12 and 13.

How is the course organised?

A level PE is organised into four units.

AS Physical Education
Both of these units are called AS units and are designed to be studied over the first year of A Level in Year 12.  One of the units is practical, representing 20% of the total marks involving assessment in two activities.

At the end of Year 12, if you have progressed satisfactorily with your studies, you will be entered for external examination in the two units.  If you are successful you will gain an AS (Advanced Subsidiary) qualification.

A2 Physical Education
The AS qualification can be turned into a full A Level in Year 13 by completing two further units, with examination in June of Year 13.

What can I do with this A Level?

Academic qualifications in Physical Education will allow students to access a wide range of sports related degree courses at institutions of higher education.  The course is an excellent preparation for PE teaching, advanced entry to the forces or recreational management studies.

Are there any specific entry requirements?

You must gain 5 GCSE's at grade C or above to study an A Level subject at Castle.  In addition, it would be advisable to hold at least a grade B in Physical Education or, if this was not followed at KS4, there should be evidence of good knowledge and understanding of Physical Education or a related area, such as Human Biology.

It is essential that you consider yourself as an ‘academic’ physical educationalist, with a keen interest in the academic work as well as the practical.

Year 12 (AS) Course Outline - How the course is organised

The AS year has two units (followed by a further two units in Year 13 for the full A Level).

Unit 1:

  1. Anatomy & Physiology
  2. Skill
  3. Socio-cultural

Unit 2:

  1. Practical and Oral assessment

Summary of the lessons

There will be one lesson per week of each of these three areas – A & P, Skill, Contemporary Studies, Practical – plus one lesson which focuses on the development of oral assessment and one for practical.

Two activities are chosen from different activity profiles:

Activity Profiles

Examples of Activities/Sports

Athletic Activities

Track & Field athletics

 

Combat Activities

 

Judo

 

Dance Activities

 

Dance

 

Game Activities

 

Invasion

Football, Basketball, Hockey, Netball,
Rugby Union

Net/Wall

Badminton, Squash, Tennis, Volleyball

Striking/Fielding

Cricket

Target

Golf, Archery

 

Gymnastic Activities

 

Gymnastics, Trampolining

 

Outdoor & Adventurous Activities

 

Canoeing, Mountain Walking, Sailing, Skiing

 

Swimming Activities

 

Swimming