Physical Education

Mrs V.Cullen (Head of Girls PE)
Mr B.McGuckin (Head of Boys PE)
Mrs N.Harvey
Mr C.McMahon

Mr N.Cullen and Mr J.Lobato (Sports Assistants)

The principal aim of the Physical Education department is the promotion of the healthy, physical, social, moral and psychological development for all the pupils through a broad and balanced curriculum. The Physical education curriculum offers a comprehensive range of learning experiences to meet the needs of individual pupils and encourage active involvement by all performers, observers and officials.

It is hoped that the PE curriculum caters for all; boys and girls, Year 8 pupils right through to Year 12 pupils and that it satisfies to the full all the general aims of PE.

• To provide a balanced curriculum through participation in a range of physical activities
• To acquire and develop to the highest level a range of physical skills related to selected games/sports and a knowledge of safety relevant to these activities
• To develop self-discipline, confidence, competence and a positive attitude in the individual
• To encourage and develop in pupils their initiative and decision making potential
• To develop an appreciation of the relationship between physical activity and general health
• To develop an enjoyment of participation in physical activities and an awareness of education for leisure
• To appreciate the significance of co-operation and competition in individual and team games
• To encourage pupils to reach out to the wider community including other denominations, traditions and cultures.

KS3 Gaelic Football, Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Gymnastics, Dance, Health Related fitness, Minor Games

KS4 Gaelic Football, Athletics, Badminton, Dance, Health Related fitness, Minor Games

Extracurricular activities are taken voluntarily by all the members of the PE department and some other staff.

Activities include: Gaelic Football (YR8, U14, U16 both boys and girls) Basketball, Hurling, Soccer, Netball, Camogie, Fitness, Badminton

Facilities

The PE department has:

• A small ICT Suite (D02) for theory lessons
• A 440m ² sports hall
• A gymnasium
• Fitness suite
• 4 changing rooms
• 1 PE office
• 2 staff changing rooms
• Mat store in gym
• Equipment store of the sports hall
• Shared exterior accommodation – 2 grass pitches, 1 enclosed tennis court, 1 astro-turf pitch 90m x 50m and 1 all-weather pitch

GCSE

WJEC GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION 
How will I be Assessed?
Unit 1: Introduction to physical education will be assessed through a written examination 

• 2 hours 
• 60% of qualification 
• 100 marks
• A range of short and extended questions. The questions will be based on audio-visual stimuli and other sources. 

Unit 2: The active participant in physical education will be assessed through non-examination assessment: marked by your teacher, externally moderated by WJEC. This includes three difference activities in the role of performer and a written piece of coursework in the form of a personal fitness programme linked to your chosen major activity. This unit is worth 40% of the total qualification. 

Practical Assessment: Three different activities in the role of performer from the approved list.

At least one individual and one team sport and one other. 

Personal Fitness Programme: Learners must design a personal fitness programme which will help to improve fitness and performance in one of the practical activities in which they were assessed i.e. the major activity. 

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Sport

Examining Board: Edexcel 

The qualification is 120 GLH, which is the same size and level as a GCSE, is aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about the sport industry. 

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Sport

Examining Board: Edexcel 

The qualification is 120 GLH, which is the same size and level as a GCSE, is aimed at everyone who wants to find out more about the sport industry. 

About this Qualification

This is an Applied General qualification that is designed for learners aged 16‐19 who want to study sport where they can learn and be assessed in ways that are practical and relevant to the sport and recreation industry. It is designed to give learners the transferable knowledge and skills to progress to higher education or further study.

What skills and knowledge will be covered?

Learners will cover 13 topics, made up of core and optional units. This qualification is not just about being able to play sport as the core enables the learner to demonstrate their understanding of sport within the wider contexts of coaching, anatomy and physiology, the effects of exercise on the body and current issues including cultural barriers to participating in sport.

The optional units cover a wide range of topics. Learners have the opportunity to take units that are relevant to one or more specific areas within the sport and recreation industry. For example the knowledge and skills required by physical education and coaching are found in units such as Psychology for Sports Performance, Practical Team Sports, Practical Individual Sports, Leadership in Sport, Sports Development, Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport, Analysis of Sports Performance, Assessing Risk in Sport, and Talent Identification and Development in Sport. Taking all of these units would give the learner a profile of skills and knowledge relevant to physical education and sports development. This qualification will also enable learners to develop other desirable skills. Depending on their choice of optional units this could include critical thinking, leadership, project management, motivating others and assessing risk.

Where could this qualification lead to?

1. A Higher Education course. Learners could:
a. choose to undertake a sport‐related degree from options including Physical Education, Sports Development, Sports Management or Sport Science.
b. choose from non‐sport‐related degree programmes. This qualification has between 80 –280 UCAS points ‐ depending on the grade awarded – so it would be accepted by universities as meeting requirements for entry to a range of degree programmes.
2. An Active Leisure Apprenticeship.
3. It might also provide entry to employment in some sport and recreation related careers, for example a Recreation Assistant. (Some careers in sport and recreation require specific qualifications known as a ‘licence to practise’. This qualification is not a licence to practise.)