32 / 34
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
EXAMINATION BOARD
:
AQA
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
GCSE PE provides students with the opportunity to be assessed within both practical and theoretical based
study. Non-examination assessment will constitute 40% of the overall GCSE grade. This will entail students
being assessed in practical performances within a wide range of selected physical activities, in the role of
player/participant, official or leader. The performances must come from at least 1 individual sport and at
least 1 team sport with at least two of the performances being as a player/participant. The activities chosen
for final assessment will very much depend on their own personal strengths. Within the non-examination
assessment, students will also be required to analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a
sporting performance.
There will be two written examination papers which account for 60% of the overall mark. These will test the
candidate’s knowledge of applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, physical training and sports
psychology, amongst others.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
Examination based assessment (60%):
Paper 1 – The human body and movement in physical activity and sport consisting of: Applied anatomy and
physiology, Movement analysis, Physical training and Use of data
Paper 2 – Socio-cultural influence and well-being in physical activity and sport consisting of: Sports
psychology, Socio-cultural influences, Health, fitness and well-being and Use of data
Non-examination based assessment (40%):
This consists of 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)
and the analysis and evaluation of performance to bring about improvement in one activity.
ENTRY INFORMATION
This is an open entry subject with no higher/lower tiers. All students will attempt common examination
papers, which will contain questions of graded difficulty requiring answers of varying lengths. Students will
need to have demonstrated good ability and a positive attitude to Physical Education during KS3. An active
involvement in sport either in or out of school is also a key requirement.
CAREERS
Physical Education offers a wide choice of careers ranging from the professional athlete to work related
with sport. The GCSE course provides an insight into: Teaching and Coaching, Recreational Management, The
Media, Sports Medicine and many other related areas. Leisure is a growing industry and offers an abundance
of opportunities for the sports enthusiast.
30