Physical Education

  • Board: OCR
  • Syllabus: AS – H154; A2 – H554
Modules
  1. AS Anatomy and Physiology, Acquiring Movement Skills, Socio-Cultural Studies – This area of the course brings to life aspects of theory that we take for granted as a performer. Amongst other things it explains how our bodies adapt to training, how we learn and refine sporting skills and the place of sport in society.
  2. Two Practical Activities – Candidates from Clayesmore offer life-saving as one of their chosen activities which follows our very successful GCSE course. The second chosen activity is usually, but not exclusively, a sport played by the candidate in school fixtures. To gain a good mark in the second activity, candidates need to be playing at first team standard, and perhaps play at a representative level too. They will also evaluate performance and plan for improvement in their chosen activity. At present this takes the form of an assessed viva voce examination.
  3. A2 Three areas of study from: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Sports Psychology, Comparative Studies, Historical Studies – These topics explore areas as varied as how we recover from exercise, how we balance and rotate, how we motivate ourselves and set goals, how sport in this country differs to that overseas and how sport was developed in public schools and exported around the world.
  4. One Practical Activity – similar to 2. above.
Method of Assessment

AS One 2 hour exam paper (30%); two practical activities, and one assessment by viva (20%)

A2 One 2½ hour exam paper (35%); one practical activity, and one assessment by viva (15%)

Further information

If you enjoy sporting activities, this course will broaden your knowledge of physical education. At the same time it will develop your understanding of the theory behind the subject in ways which you can relate to. Do keep in mind there is a fair amount of written work in the course so a pass at GCSE English is essential.

Although it is not essential to have studied for Physical Education at GCSE it will be a tremendous advantage. Several topics, and sports, covered in the course are developments of work covered at GCSE, although a few others are new. Biology students find a fair degree of overlap in some areas of the course but what is important is that you should have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in Physical Education, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.