Physical Education at Newtownhamilton High School
The Physical Education department boosts a wide range of activities to stimulate and interest pupils - athletics, badminton, basketball, football, gymnastic, health related fitness, hockey, netball. rugby league, rugby union, tennis, unihoc and volleyball. All pupils will follow a PE programme while pupils in Year 10 will have the opportunity to select the subject as a GCSE option. Year 8 and 9 pupils have 3 periods per week while Year 10-12 pupils have 2 periods.
Aim
Over the next few years the main aim of the department is to raise the profile of general fitness throughout the school. To do this we encourage the pupils to perform to their maximum ability within the Physical Education lessons, also to try to involve themselves in at least one extra curricular activity. Directly related to these fundamental issues, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet, both in school and at home to ensure that all pupils in Newtownhamilton High School live a healthy lifestyle.
GCSE PE
Pupils who select GCSE PE as an option choice will cover the new AQA specification (first teaching in 2010) however the breakdown is still similar to the previous specification:
Practical element = 60% of the final grade
Theory element = 40% of the final grade
Practical Element
The practical side involves a variety of roles and activities to choose from and participate in:
Player/Performer - developing the ability to make effective plans to improve performance
Organiser - bringing together all the main ingredients at the right time, in the right place, in order to maximise promotion, participation and high quality performance
Leader/Coach - an important influence on individuals or groups towards set goals, or on behaviour in sport a specialist in an activity, responsible for preparing a performer in skill acquisition, correct technique, correct physical state or correct mental state
Choreographer - the designer or arranger of a ballet or other staged dance/performance
Official - someone who controls the activity; interprets the rules, laws or regulations of the activity including checking the equipment
Students must choose 4 different activities to be assessed on throughout the two year course. Activities are split into six groups and include:
Candidates may choose to be assessed in their preferred roles from any of the activities listed below:
Group 1 – Outwitting opponents as in Game Activities
Group 2 – Accurate replication of actions, phrases and sequences as in Gymnastic Activities
Group 3 – Exploring and communicating ideas, concepts and emotions as in Dance Activities
Group 4 – Performing at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength or accuracy as in Athletic Activities
Group 5 – Identifying and solving problems to overcome challenges of an adventurous nature, as in life saving, personal
survival in swimming and Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
Group 6 – Exercising safely and effectively to improve health and well-being, as in fitness and health activities
Theory Element - Main Topics
Factors Affecting Performance
Students will need to understand that people are individuals with different needs according to the following factors:
Age
Disability
Gender
Physique
Environment
Risk and challenge
Activity levels
Developing physical and mental capacity to respond to the demands of performance.
Injury
Clothing/equipment
Rules/codes of conduct
The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise
Characteristics and benefits of leisure and recreation
Lifetime sports
Health, Fitness and a Healthy Active Lifestyle
Fitness capability in terms of the components that serve the body in different degrees, at different times to meet
different demands
Skeletal and muscular systems
Training
Aspects of training
Environment
The training
Through a balanced diet the body receives the nourishment it needs to maintain physical health, limited to: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, water/fluids and fibre/roughage
Factors Affecting Participation
Cultural and Social factors
Leisure Time
Fairness and personal/social responsibility
Sports
Social groupings
Ethnicity
Roles – provision, choice and pathway opportunities
Careers such as PE teacher, coach, trainer, physiotherapist, sports management.
International and other factors
The media
Sponsorship
Competitions
Olympic Games and other high profile events.
Role models
Science and ICT
Technological innovations
Career Possibilities
Year 11 GCSE PE
With the current changes in GCSE grading in UK, the department has decided to switch examination board from AQA to CCEA. This may need to be evaluated at the end of the year as there is a Specification change coming to CCEA in 2017-18.
• Practical element = 60% of the final grade
• Theory element = 40% of the final grade
Pupils will have 4 periods a week of this subject and will divided into theory and practical classes. Depending on the time of year sometimes classes will focus solely on theory as practical assessment can take place on an extra-curricular basis. Pupils will undergo the full course element of the subject which entails:
Component 1: Developing knowledge, understanding and skills for balanced, healthy lifestyles and participation in physical activities;
Component 2: Developing and maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle; and
Component 3: Individual performance in physical activities.
Students study the following:
• Concepts of health, physical fitness and skilled performance;
• Key influences that impact on balanced, healthy lifestyles and participation in physical activities;
• The impact of exercise and training on balanced, healthy lifestyles and physical fitness;
• Types of exercise and methods of training;
• Principles for developing physical well-being and physical fitness;
• Assessing and monitoring the development of physical health/well-being and peak physical performance;
• The effects of exercise, training and physical activity on the body;
• Health and safety issues;
• Exercise and training sessions; and
• Exercise and training programmes.
