A Level Physical Education will give students a fantastic insight into the amazing world of sports performance, studying wide-ranging topics focused on the how and why of physical activity and sport.

Course content:

Year 12

The students will start their study of all five topic areas. This will include aspects such as the biomechanics of the body; dietary preparation for exercise; learning theories and practices; aggression and social facilitation, and the historical emergence of modern-day sport. The lessons are mainly classroom-based theory lessons, however practical lessons are included whenever possible to develop understanding, e.g. experiments in sport psychology and testing in exercise physiology. The students will also complete the performance analysis section of their coursework.

Year 13

The students will complete the study of the five topic areas. This will include aspects such as fatigue and recovery; motion and fluid dynamics; memory models, confidence and leadership, and commercialisation, ethics and deviance. They will also revisit all the content covered in year 12. The students will also complete the development programme section of their coursework. The course content is continually evolving, with students actively encouraged to keep up to date with topical issues in the world of sport.

The syllabus is multi-disciplinary and is comprised of four components:

Component 1 – Applied anatomy and exercise physiology

Component 2 – Skill acquisition and sports psychology, sport and society

Component 3 – Practical performance (one activity as performer or coach)

Component 4 – Performance analysis and performance development programme (coursework).

The content builds on the understanding developed at GCSE, increasing breadth whilst avoiding unnecessary repetition.
The students will be expected to participate in their chosen practical activity throughout the course. The coursework and practical components are internally marked and externally moderated.