STUDY SKILLS
Programme of Study – Key Stage 5 – P.E
Summary
There are 3 main pathways within the Sixth Form. Firstly, there is the traditional AS/A2 Physical Education route which
allows students to combine PE with a variety of other AS and A2 disciplines. Secondly, there is the popular Level 3 BTEC
Extended Diploma in Sport Development, Fitness and Coaching. This qualification, equivalent to three A Levels offers
students a broad sporting and physical educational experience. Finally, there is the Level 2 BTEC Extended diploma in
Sport.
Courses
A-LEVEL PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The A-Level PE course is run over two years, with two units looked at in each year. There is a theoretical unit and a
practical unit, with the theoretical unit taking the heavier weighting towards the final overall grade. Within the two units
studied there is a further breakdown of topic areas, which are listed below, which will not only be studied in depth and
detail, but also ‘applied’ to relevant and appropriate practical performances to which students will be assessed against.
As well as the end of year exam and the marked practical performances, students will be assessed using a variety of
methods such as internally-set mock exams to track progress, lesson spot tests to recap and assess previously taught
parts of the unit and students will be given past papers and exam questions to groove solid exam technique.
The course demands not only a high degree of commitment and sporting performance, but also a willingness to engage
beyond the practical and look into the how and why performers perform the way they do.
AS-Level (Year 12)
G451: An Introduction to Physical Education
Anatomy and Physiology (Section A)

The skeletal and muscular systems;

Motion and movement;

The cardiovascular and respiratory systems in relation to the performance of physical activity.
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Acquiring Movement Skills (Section B)

Classification of motor skills and abilities;

The development of motor skills;

Information processing;

Motor control of skills in physical activity.
Socio-Cultural Studies relating to participation in physical activity (Section C)

Physical activity;

Sport and culture;

Contemporary sporting issues.
Assessment: Externally-set two hour written examination, worth 30% of total A-Level mark.
G452: Acquiring, developing and evaluating practical skills in Physical Education

Practical Performance;

Evaluating and planning for the improvement of performance.
Assessment; Externally-set, internally-marked practical and oral performances (externally moderated). This forms 20% of
the total A-Level mark.
A2-Level (Year 13)
G453: Principles and concepts across different areas of Physical Education
Comparative Studies (Option A2)

The United Kingdom (UK);

The United States of America (USA);

Australia.
Sports Psychology (Option B1)

Individual aspects of performance;

Group dynamics of performance and audience effects;

Mental preparation for physical activity.
Exercise and Sport Physiology (Option B3)

Energy;

Health components of physical fitness;
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
Application of the principles of training;

Performance enhancement.
Assessment: Externally-set two-and-a-half-hour written examination, worth 35% of total A-Level mark.
G454: The improvement of effective performance and the critical evaluation of practical activities in Physical Education

Practical Performance;

Evaluation, appreciation and the improvement of performance.
Assessment: Internally-marked practical and oral performances, externally-moderated, worth 15% of the total A-Level
mark.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN SPORT DEVELOPMENT, FITNESS & COACHING
The Edexcel Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport consists of 19 units ranging from science-based to practical sport and
coaching-based elements, making the course very varied. Teachers employ a wide variety of delivery methods including
presentation, seminar, and external visits and journeys in order to provide the best learning experience possible.
Assessment: The course is 100% coursework-based and is the equivalent to 3 A-Levels.
BTEC LEVEL 2 EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN SPORT
The BTEC Level 2 First Certificate in Sport is a vocational qualification with an emphasis upon applied learning. This
means that students will learn key information and then have to apply it to day to day situations. The course consists of
eight modules, two of which are assessed via online test. The other six modules are completed via coursework tasks and
practical assessments. This course is usually taken by students resitting GCSE English and/or Mathematics.
Further Resources
To come.
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