What is PE and why do we teach it?
The fundamental goal of the physical education program is to provide the opportunities for the learners to attain the skills and knowledge to be physically active as part of a healthy lifestyle. Learners should become competent in movement forms, motor skills, and social skills and learn to enjoy physical activity while not compromising safety. At Key Stage 2 learners should derive developmental and personal meaning from movement and enjoyment as they gain competence in movement ability. At Key Stage 3, participation in physical activity provides important opportunities for challenge, social interaction, group membership and serves an important role in physical maturation processes. Finally, at Key Stage 4 Physical Education aims to provide enjoyment, challenge, social opportunities and a greater opportunity for self-expression and personal meaning. During Year 11, learners will undertake a GCSE short course in PE.
As a result of these benefits of physical activity, learners will begin to actively pursue lifelong physical activities that meet their own needs. Cognitive understandings develop from an initial awareness of the cause and effect relationships between activity and its immediate and identifiable effects on the body. Additionally, the role of physical activity on physiological, social, and emotional well-being as well as a comprehensive perspective on the meaning of a healthy lifestyle will be clearly understood.
Learners who master these skills will reap the benefits of a physically active lifestyle, better health, higher educational achievement, and better preparation for work, improved attendance, and lower health care costs. Establishment of lifelong patterns of participation in physical activity expands beyond the PE class to the opportunities and support provided by the school and community. PE, in combination with school-wide and community programs and services, encourages and supports healthy behaviours and the lifelong challenges learners will face.
Aims
- Learners will be encouraged to recognise and employ various avenues of physical activity available in the promotion and maintenance of lifetime personal well-being. Whilst gaining enjoyment and appreciation of physical activity through experience with a variety of selected activities.
- To stress the importance of pro-active attention to safe practices in all areas of physical education. Learners will learn to take responsibility for practicing safely and preventing injuries.
- To enable learners to discover the necessity of taking a comprehensive approach to wellness through physical activity, nutrition, risk avoidance, and other health-enhancing activities.
- To empower learners to develop the positive social skills necessary to interact with others.
- To provide learners with the opportunities to develop fundamental and specialized skills necessary to encourage regular participation in lifetime physical activity.
- To use technology to develop a physically active lifestyle, enhance technological skills through hands-on experiences, and understand that technology is a significant factor in a comprehensive approach to wellness and learning.
Resources
Resources material for PE is based on the individual requirements of each group and the equipment needed to teach each lesson. The use of ICT will be used as appropriate to aid in the planning, conducting and evaluation of lessons. Educational visits and off site activities will also be incorporated to enhance the learners’ learning and experience, where appropriate.
Assessment
Learners are continually assessed throughout the PE programme through standardised tests, teacher assessment, learner performance profiles and individual records to determine the progress the learners are making when compared against their subject specific target, whilst also taking into account any barriers for learning.
School reports are sent home at the end of each term highlighting the learner’s ability to:
- Listen to / follow instructions
- Develop independent learning skills
- Respect others’ points of view
- Work co-operatively with peers
- Meet all deadlines set
- Participate fully in their learning
The assessments are then used to inform future planning, differentiation and pupil progression.
Qualification Pathways available to learners:
The current Year 11 are following a GCSE short course in PE which includes two practical coursework elements, with the learners sitting a final exam at the end of the course.
September 2016 onwards:
Exam board: Edexcel – BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Sport