Physical Education

Physical Education OCR H555 Mrs Gemma Pritchard

Why should I study Physical Education?

Are you: • curious as to how our bodies push themselves to • their physical peak? driven to find out how you can improve your • performance? keen to understand what gives Olympic champions the psychological edge over their • competitors? intrigued by where sports have come from and • where are they going? asking the question ‘why?’ whenever you are • involved with sport? feeling rather depressed now the Olympics is over but excited to see what the legacy will bring us? If so then this could be the subject for you!

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking Physical Education?

It is preferable that pupils will have studied GCSE Physical Education, although not essential. They should have a reasonable ability in science and the expectation is that the pupil should be performing in sport at school level or above.

What will I learn?

You will: • Develop your involvement and effectiveness in • physical activity. Explore contemporary sociological issues in • modern sport. Enhance your understanding of the role of technology or psychology in sporting • performance. Examine the effects of exercise and the • • relationship between training and performance. Analyse the way we learn to be skilful. Gain an understanding of the history of Physical • Education. Find ways to improve your own performance through greater understanding.

Who is this course suitable for?

Pupils who have in interest in participating in physical activity as part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. Pupils who want to follow a course that develops the theoretical aspects through practical involvement. Pupils who have an enquiring mind and are interested in current issues in sport. Pupils who want to know more about how the body functions with exercise and training. Pupils who want to evaluate and improve their own and others’ sporting performance. Pupils who may want to move onto a related career or higher education course.

How is the course assessed?

Unit 1: Physiological factors affecting performance 30% Unit 2: Psychological factors affecting performance 20% Unit 3: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport 20% Unit 4: Performance in physical education (practical and coursework) 30%

What could I go on and do at the end of my course?

Pupils with A level Physical Education have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. These skills are in great demand and are recognised by employers, universities and colleges as being of great value. Physical Education combines with a range of A level subjects. Taken with sciences, in particular, Biology, it supports applications for a wide range of university courses with Sport Sciences, Physiotherapy, Recreation and Leisure Studies. Pupils may choose to use their qualification to go straight into employment, rather than into higher education. This can include further training in such areas as Recreational Management, Leisure Activities, Armed Forces and the Civil Service.