The department has state of the art facilities completed in 2007 which include a sports hall, climbing wall, fitness suite and studio currently used for table tennis. These facilities are complemented by a purpose built teaching room, a swimming pool with new changing facilities, three further changing rooms and constant access to Heaton Tennis and squash club. Here the pupils enjoy the use of 7 squash courts and 6 outdoor tennis courts. Further outdoor facilities include two grass football pitches which can be used for multi sports and four hard court five a side pitches. There are 6 experienced PE staff and a part time swimming coach who are all ably assisted by several part time PE student teachers and coaches.
Physical education is compulsory throughout KS 3 and KS 4 and an option at KS 5. There are also optional courses at KS 4 and % to study PE and sports science in further depth with a view to undertaking higher education or work within the leisure industries.
Programmes of study
In KS 3 pupils have 2 lessons per week and study a variety of sports to an increasing depth. By the end of year 9 pupils should have a good understanding of skills, tactics and techniques in a broad spread of sports, understand how physical activity affects their body and benefits them. They should be able to judge their own and others performance and suggest areas for improvement. They should have begun to develop leadership and coaching skills. During KS 4 all students have 1 period of core PE where they are able to choose sports and specialize. They have increased responsibility for organisation of their studies and those around them. They are expected to officiate, lead and work cooperatively as part of a team. They will have an opportunity to develop their understanding of how the body is affected by sport and the benefits of a lifetimes involvement in selected sports.
In KS 4 all students have the opportunity to select PE as an option at either GCSE or BTEC level 2. These courses provide a far greater understanding into the physiological, psychological and sociological effects of sport on the human body. They also allow students to develop their skills basis to a much greater level.
Those who wish to study sport in KS 5 can either use their free time to take part on a recreational level or study at A level or BTEC level 3. These courses lead students to a career in sport or leisure services or onto further education courses such as teaching, coaching or sports science.
Assessment
All KS 3 students receive a National Curriculum level from teaching staff at the end of each activity. These are then averaged out to provide a level for each pupil to understand where they are now and what they have to do to make progress.
In GCSE PE students are assessed in 3 ways.
1. A theory examination at the end of the course lasting about 1 ½ hours worth 40% of the total and consisting of multiple choice questions, short answers and 2 longer questions. They will answer questions on the social influences of sport such as differing roles in sport and influences on their participation. Their knowledge of the human bodies systems including the cardiovascular and muscular systems and the effects of sport. The bulk of the work is related to training and fitness and their understanding of how to organize effective training programmes.
2. A practical element which requires each student to complete 4 sports which are marked out of 10. These are judged by staff and moderated towards the end of year 11. This aspect is worth 50% of the total mark.
3. An analysis of performance worth 10% of the total mark which involves the completion of a personal exercise plan and a verbal or written account of a pupils understanding in one particular sport including rules, techniques, tactics and how to improve a players performance level.
In BTEC level 2 students study similar areas to the GCSE groups but are assessed through continuous coursework. There is no final examination and no credit is given for practical ability although practical sport is a major aspect of the course.
Other Activities
Staff in PE undertake an incredible amount of voluntary work supporting students after school and during lunchtimes. The pupils are enthusiastic and extremely talented and take advantage of a wide variety of training and recreational sessions are available for all students including table tennis, fitness, five side, cricket, water polo, squash, tennis, rugby league and football. Also available are a wide variety of opportunities for the talented more able students to represent school at local, regional and national level. As an example the Water Polo team reached the national finals last year and currently our year 9 football team is in the last 32 of the English Schools Cup.
Below are the timetables for Extra Curricular Activities during 2012:
