We aim to ensure that the Physical Education curriculum is engaging, with a broad range of sports that are designed to excite and motivate the students of Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School. We establish a stimulating environment, hoping to inspire the students to develop a lifelong passion for sport, health and fitness beyond their Physical Education within school hours.  

Our aim is to encourage all students to participate fully in lessons and extend their competitive experience. High quality teaching is delivered throughout lessons with a focus on positive affirmation and celebration of success. We encourage cross-curricular questioning, personal physical development and critical thinking when linking prior knowledge. Department staff are encouraged to develop their subject knowledge and skill set in a range of sports throughout the year to maintain ambitious standards of teaching.  

Our lessons are active and dynamic.  Students are encouraged throughout the lesson to contribute their knowledge and highlight their skill set.  We actively develop students’ abilities; to be confident leaders both in sport and in their school lives.  

Our ethos for Physical Education at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School is 'Participation with Excellence.' We aim to provide a rich and extensive experience from Years 7-13, giving as many students as possible an introduction to a healthy existence. 

Curriculum Summary

Click on the link to view the PE Department's Mission Pyramid. The department is associated with the national governing body for the 'Association of Physical Education.'

Key Stage 3

Sports Covered:

• Netball
• Gymnastics
• Cross Country
• Hockey
• Football 
• Rugby
• Handball
• Cricket
• Basketball
• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Rounders
• Outdoor Adventurous Activities

Learning/Teaching Approach

Students will learn and develop the basic skills underpinning sport and movement so that they can be transferred into a range of sports later in life. Students are encouraged to always try their best and set challenging goals for themselves.
Students will be encouraged to work co-operatively, competitively and independently in order to fulfil their potential and contribute positively to the wider community.

Students will be taught the correct terminology, ideas and concepts to lead them into studying Physical Education at GCSE.

Assessment

Students will be assessed in a range of skills:

For each sport, students will be assessed on their ability to perform a range of skills, how well they apply them in a competitive situation and in their knowledge and understanding of the rules and tactics.

Throughout each unit of work, students will assess their own progress using the performance analysis grids. There will be a formal teacher assessment at the end of each unit of work.

The department uses Meta Skills to guide students on how to become good and effective learners in PE. These skills are reported in the IPR.

Key Stage 4

Qualification: GCSE

Awarding Body & Paper: AQA 8582

Programme of Study

Sports Covered:

A mixture of team and individual sports.

• Netball
• Football 
• Rugby
• Handball
• Cricket
• Basketball
• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Rounders
• Outdoor Adventurous Activities
• Cross Country

Theory:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Movement Analysis
• Physical Training
• Use of Data
• Sports Psychology
• Socio-Cultural Influences
• Health, Fitness and Well Being

Within the theory papers, there will be a range of multiple choice, short answer and essay style questions.

Learning/Teaching Approach

Theory lessons will be classroom based and related to practical lessons where possible.

Through practical sessions, the course will develop skills and increase the student's knowledge and understanding of tactics and how to apply them in a competitive situation.

This is an enjoyable course which is extremely demanding yet incredibly rewarding.

It will be compulsory for all GCSE PE students to attend at least one extra-curricular practice a week.

Assessment

Theory Assessment (60%)
Paper 1: Human Movement (30%) – 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Paper 2: Socio - Cultural (30%) – 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Practical Assessment (30%)
Students will be assessed in 3 sports. Must be a combination of one team, one individual and another sport.

Non examined assessment (NEA coursework) 10%
Students will need to complete an Analysis and Evaluation of ONE of their chosen sports.

What it can lead to:

The course can lead to studying A Level PE or Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.

Key Stage 5

Qualification: A Level Physical Education

Awarding Body and Paper: OCR – A LEVEL PHYSICAL EDUCATION H555

Programme of Study

The course has been designed to allow students to study Physical Education in an academic setting, enabling them to critically analyse and evaluate their physical performance and apply their experience of practical activity in developing their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

The theoretical components that will be examined also provide the knowledge and understanding which underpin the non-exam assessment (NEA). The NEA allows students to explore an activity in detail as a performer or coach, chosen from a wide variety of sporting activities. Students will also analyse and evaluate performance in a chosen activity as part of their NEA.

Learning/Teaching Approach

The course will equip learners with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical education.

The theoretical content is split into three aspects:

• Physiological factors affecting performance focuses on developing the student’s knowledge of the science behind physical activity. This includes the structure and function of key systems in the human body, the forces that act upon us and the adaptations we make to our bodies through diet and training regimes.

• Psychological factors affecting performance includes models and theories that affect learning and performance in physical activities, how different methods of training and feedback work and why their effectiveness differs from person to person. It also includes psychological factors affecting group dynamics and the effects of leadership and stress on performers.

 

• Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport focuses on issues that influence and affect physical activity and sport for both the audience and the performer and how sport affects society. It includes the emergence and evolution of modern sport and how social and cultural factors shaped the characteristics of sports and pastimes in pre-industrial and post-industrial Britain. The impact of the modern Olympic Games will be understood as well as the impact on society of hosting global sporting events.

Assessment

Assessment will compose of 3 final exams in Year 13:

• Paper 1 – Physiological factors affecting Performance – 2 hours (30% of Final Grade)
• Paper 2 – Psychological factors affecting performance – 1 hour (20% of final grade)
• Paper 3 – Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport – 1 hour (20% of final grade)

As well as this, students will complete non-assessment consisting of:

• Practical Performance – core and advanced skills in one activity as a performer or coach - (15 % of final grade)
• Evaluating and Analysing Performance for Improvement - (15 % of final grade)

What it can lead to

The course will prepare students for the further study of PE or sports science courses as well as other related subject areas such as psychology, sociology and biology. Learners will also develop the transferable skills that are in demand by further education, Higher Education and employers in all sectors of industry.