Physical Education
Overview of Department
At Rye College, we recognise the importance of a high-quality physical education curriculum that inspires students to succeed both in sport and other physically demanding activities. Through providing opportunities for students to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness, and to compete in sport and activities that build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect, we seek to do just that.
Curriculum Statement: Values and Aims
Our curriculum provides coverage of a wide range of sports, from hockey and football to badminton, Athletics and Tennis. By so doing, we aim to meet in full the national curriculum for physical education, ensuring that all our students:
- Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities
- Are physically active for sustained periods of time
- Engage in competitive sports and activities
- Lead healthy, active lives
Our spiral curriculum means topics will be repeated each year, but with deepening levels of difficulty / increasing complexity in lessons and reinforcing previous learning. Topics will be adapted appropriately depending on misconceptions and general ability (Hands, Head and Heart), with an emphasis on healthy and active lifestyles.
Key Stage 3 PE at Rye College
Throughout Key Stage 3, our students will understand and apply the matters, skills and processes relevant to each specialist sport. This will enable them to build on and embed the physical development and skills learned previously, and to become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques.
They should also understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others’ work, as well as developing the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise, sports and activities out of school and in later life with a detailed understanding of the long-term health benefits of physical activity.
Students are be taught to:
- Use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games
- Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports
- Perform dances using advanced dance techniques within a range of dance styles and forms
- Take part activities which present intellectual and physical challenges and be encouraged to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group
- Analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.
- Take part in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports club
Students continue to advance their skills at key stage 4 through our Core PE curriculum and the option Cambridge National Level 2 Sports Science.
Sports Science: OCR Cambridge National
The Cambridge National in Sports Science offers learners the opportunity to study key areas of sports science including anatomy and physiology linked to fitness, health, injury and performance. Students will develop their understanding of the science of training, and application of training principles and psychology in sport and performance. The qualification helps students appreciate how sport science underpins all sports at all levels. The course offers a strong route into level 3 qualifications and employment in the leisure, personal training and sport industries.
Course Outline. The course is made up of 3 units:
- R180: Reducing the risk of injuries (assessed via a 75 minute examination - 70 marks – 40%). By completing this unit, learners will gain a strong foundation of knowledge in sports injuries by understanding how to: prepare participants to take part in physical activity in a way that minimises the risk of injuries occurring; react to common injury that can occur during sport; and, recognise the symptoms of some common medical conditions
- R181: Applying the principles of training: fitness and how it affects skill performance (Coursework module – 40%). By completing this unit, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the principles and methods of training. They will then apply these in designing training programmes along with practical skills in fitness testing.
- R183: Nutrition and sports performance (Coursework module – 20%). By completing this unit, learners will develop knowledge and understanding of nutrition for an athlete. They will then apply their knowledge and create a food plan along with advising an athlete on the best nutrients to include within their diet depending on their training and other factors.
OCR Sports Science Specification
Knowledge Framework
At the heart of our curriculum is a commitment to providing pupils with powerful knowledge and a deep understanding of each subject. This framework illustrates the key knowledge, concepts and skills that pupils will acquire, as well as the ways of thinking and working that are unique to the discipline. By building learning progressively over time, we enable pupils to become confident, knowledgeable and successful learners.
Progression Maps
Our subject progression maps set out how students build and deepen their knowledge, understanding and skills over time. They make learning progression clear, ensuring that students develop greater expertise through a curriculum that is carefully sequenced and rooted in the unique nature of each subject.
Long Term Plan
Our long-term plans show the units of work taught in each subject and when they are taught. They provide an overview of the curriculum across the academic year and demonstrate how learning is sequenced within each subject.
PE and Sports Science Long Term Plans
Unit End Points
From our progression maps, we have identified end points for each unit of study. These make clear what students should know, understand and be able to do by the end of each unit. They ensure that learning builds over time in a logical and coherent sequence, helping students to secure the knowledge and skills needed for future learning. Teachers regularly check that students are secure in these endpoints and provide support where needed.
Career Progression Routes
Overview
Completing a Level 2 Sports Science qualification offers various pathways for further education and career development:
1. Advance to Level 3 Courses
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sports Science
- A-Levels in Physical Education, Biology, or Psychology
2. Apprenticeships
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
- Apprenticeships in Sports Coaching or Fitness Instructing
3. Employment
- Fitness Instructor
- Sports Coaching Assistant
4. Further Education and Training
- Specialised Certifications: Personal training, sports massage, or nutrition
- Foundation Degrees: Sports science or related fields
Benefits of Progressing
- Enhanced Skills
- Career Opportunities
- Professional Development