Physical Education

In PE at Cockermouth School, we aim to provide outstanding Physical Education, School Sport, and Physical Activity (PESSPA). We aim for PE to build the confidence and competence of our students in learning, moving and leading healthy, active lifestyles. We do this by:

Delivering high quality PE lessons that inspire students to be physically active.
Developing an understanding of how to improve as performers, leaders, and officials.
Providing positive experiences through school sport and competition.

The PE department aims for all students to have the opportunity to participate, understand and enjoy physical activity. PE within the school curriculum helps to develop the ‘whole person’ in a unique way. Learning through physical activity encourages many personal and social skills that can be transferred across subjects and, importantly, to life outside of school. The department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, giving students a chance to improve, but also for inter-school, district, and county representation.

Key Stage 3

Does the Physical Education Department follow the National Curriculum?

Yes

At Key Stage 3, PE lessons focus on developing fundamental motor skills, competence, and physical literacy in a wide variety of aspects that include invasion games, athletics, gymnastics, multi-skills, health related fitness and bowling, striking and fielding games. Students are taught in both mixed-ability and ability set groups of both mixed and single sex over the three years in Key Stage 3.

Key Stage 4

PE is a preference subject at Key Stage 4 and we follow the OCR specification for GCSE PE. The course provides our students with an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of PE and immerse themselves in the world of sport. The combination of the physical performance and academic challenge provides an exciting opportunity for students.

Students are able to develop a wide range of skills including communication, interpreting, and analysing data, as well as analysing and evaluating performances. They will learn through a range of different contexts how anatomy and physiology contribute towards sporting excellence. Students will delve into the ethical considerations behind the use of performance enhancing drugs and gain an understanding of leading a balanced lifestyle through a focus on diet and activity level. Students will also develop an understanding of physical training and how the components of fitness and training methods help optimise sporting performance.

Throughout the two year course, students will also be continually assessed practically within various sporting situations. This contributes to the Non Examination Assessment (NEA). Students will be assessed internally in THREE activities from a specific list (click here to view the activity list). This must be one individual activity and a team/group activity, with the third being a free choice from either. Activities are externally moderated at the end of the course and equate to 30% of the overall grade.

The rest of the qualification is made up of a written exam worth 60% and one written controlled assessment on Analysing and Evaluating a Performance (AEP) which contributes 10%.

Further information about the GCSE Physical Education specification can be found using the following link:

GCSE - Physical Education (9-1) - J587 (from 2016) - OCR

Key Stage 5

We offer OCR A level PE (H555) at Key Stage 5. This course is 70% theory content and 30% practical and oral analysis (15% each). The range of content on this course ensures that it can help provide access to a wide range of further study.

The course covers a wide breadth of content within the 6 components detailed below:

Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance

Students gain a deeper understanding of key systems in the body and how they react to changes in diet and exercise. They also study the effects of force and motion on the body and how they can be used to our advantage.

There are three topics:

Applied anatomy and physiology
Exercise physiology
Biomechanics.

Component 02: Psychological factors affecting performance

Students study the 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. They also explore the psychological factors that affect group dynamics and the effects of leadership and stress.

There are two topics:

Skill acquisition
Sports psychology.

Component 03: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

This component focuses on the social and cultural factors that have shaped sports over time, and their influences on physical activity. Students consider the impact of hosting a global sporting event such as the Olympic Games, and the influence of modern technology on both the performer and the spectator of contemporary sport.

There are two topics:

Sport and society
Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport.

Component 05: Practical performance

Students are assessed in the role of either performer or coach in one practical activity. They are required to demonstrate effective performance, the use of tactics or techniques and the ability to observe the rules and conventions under applied conditions. We advise that students who undertake this course to be pursuing their sport outside of school.

Component 06: Evaluating and analysing performance for improvement (EAPI)

Students are also assessed in the Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI). They observe a live or recorded performance by a peer and provide an oral analysis and critical evaluation of their peer’s performance.

Further information about the A Level PE Specification can be found using the following link:

AS and A Level - Physical Education - H155, H555 (from 2016) - OCR