GCSE Physical Education

When students consider selecting GCSE PE as an option, they should be aware that there is considerable emphasis on the theoretical and written work, and they should be prepared to work as hard in this area as in their practical activities.

Candidates should be able to:

• Demonstrate physical performance, including an ability to inter-relate planning, performing and evaluating whilst undertaking activity.
• Demonstrate an ability to analyse and improve their own and other performances.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The roles of the active participant and the different roles that the active participant can choose from.
• Linking physical activity with diet, work and rest for personal health and a balanced healthy lifestyle.
• Making informed decisions about getting involved in a lifetime of healthy physical activities that suit their needs.

SPECIFICATION LINK: 8582

COURSE INFORMATION: AQA GCSE Physical Education (601/8279/9)

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

This syllabus integrates the theoretical and practical elements of the study of physical activity. The practical work includes four selected assessments in which understanding and the ability to apply rules, techniques, skills and tactics will be developed, both practically and theoretically.

The theoretical aspects to be studied are: Health, fitness and a healthy lifestyle (including diet); the roles of the active participant; effects of exercise on the body; methods of training; cultural and social factors and school influences.

Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport

What's assessed

• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Movement analysis
• Physical training
• Use of data

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
• 78 marks
• 30% of GCSE

Questions

• Answer all questions.
• A mixture of multiple choice/objective test questions, short answer questions and extended answer questions.

Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport

What's assessed

• Sports psychology
• Socio-cultural influences
• Health, fitness and well-being
• Use of data

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes
• 78 marks
• 30% of GCSE

Questions

• Answer all questions.
• A mixture of multiple choice/objective test questions, short answer questions and extended answer questions.

Non-exam assessment: Practical performance in physical activity and sport

What's assessed

• Practical performance in three different physical activities in the role of player/performer (one in a team activity, one in an individual activity and a third in either a team or in an individual activity).
• Analysis and evaluation of performance to bring about improvement in one activity.

How it's assessed

• Assessed by teachers
• Moderated by AQA
• 100 marks
• 40% of GCSE

Questions

• For each of their three activities, students will be assessed in skills in progressive drills (10 marks per activity) and in the full context (15 marks per activity).
• Students will be assessed on their analysis (15 marks) and evaluation (10 marks) of performance to bring about improvement in one activity.

GCSE Sports Studies

The Cambridge National Award in Sports Studies offers learners the chance to develop different types of skills through largely practical means; communication, problem solving, team working, evaluation and analysis, performing under pressure, and formulating written findings from practical investigation are all transferable skills, which can be learned and assessed through these qualifications and utilised in many other educational and employment settings.

SPECIFICATION LINK: J829

COURSE INFORMATION: OCR level 2 Cambridge National Award in Sports Studies (600/5123/1)

This qualification has been designed with practical and engaging ways of teaching in mind and enables learners to:

• develop a range of skills through involvement in sport and physical activity in different contexts and roles
• develop their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations
• gain a better understanding of the complexity of different areas of sport and the sports industry
• Increase their awareness of different ways to stay involved in sport and physical activity and of different careers and roles within sport.

This course encompasses some core sport/physical education themes, delivered in sector-based themes. Learners have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge about different types of sport and physical activity, skills development and sports leadership to their own practical performance. They will learn about contemporary issues in sport, such as funding, participation, ethics and role models, and sport and the media. Learners will develop an appreciation of the importance of sport locally and nationally, different ways of being involved in sport and of how this shapes the sports industry.

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

There are two mandatory units:

R184: Contemporary issues in sport

• Written paper OCR set and marked 1 hour 15. 70 marks.

R185: Performance and leadership in sports activities

• Centre-assessed tasks OCR-moderated. 80 marks. Learners should spend approximately 16 hours on the assessment tasks.

For the Certificate there are a further two optional units. These will be one from the following*:

* (This will be decided on the best needs of the students and the resources available to deliver at the time)

R186: Sport and the media

R187: Increasing awareness of outdoor and adventurous activities

• For each unit: Centre-assessed tasks OCR-moderated. 40 marks. Learners should spend approximately 8-10 hours on the assessment tasks.
• Students' grades will be awarded as follows: Pass at Level 2, Merit at Level 2, Distinction at Level 2, Distinction* at Level 2.