Physical Education

Entry Requirements

Combined Science GCSE grades 5-5 and English Language GCSE grade 5.  GCSE grade 5 in Physical Education preferred but not essential. 

About This Course

This course is designed for students with a passion for sport. You’ll improve and develop your practical skills as a performer or leader and it’ll provide you with the theoretical understanding to support continued involvement within sport.

Course Content & Assessment

Component 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance  30%

Focusing on key systems of the human body involved in movement and physical activity. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the changes within these body systems prior to exercise, during exercise of differing intensities, and during recovery.  Application of this theoretical knowledge will enable you to understand how changes in physiological states can influence performance in physical activities and sport.  You will interpret data and graphs relating to changes in the body during exercise of differing intensities and during recovery.

Component 2: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance  20%

Focusing on the psychological factors affecting physical activities and sports, including: 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; group dynamics and the effects of leadership and stress on performers. You will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying psychological factors that influence our performance in physical activity and sport. You’ll learn how to apply the theories to practical examples, giving guidance and feedback in constructive ways that are suited to that individual’s personality; therefore assisting in developing practical performance in physical activities and sports.

Component 3: Socio-Cultural and Contemporary Issues  20%

Focusing on the sociological and contemporary factors 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. The ever-evolving modern technology and its influence on sport performers and spectators will be understood and you’ll use practical examples to show the effect of modern technology.

Component 4: Performance within Physical Education   30%

Learners will be required to undertake two parts within this component.

Part 1: Performance/coaching of a sport or activity from the approved list.

Part 2: The Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI) of a sport or activity from the approved list.

What could this course lead to?

The course is wide ranging and allows students to follow a career in a wide variety of areas from Physiotherapy and Medical Practice to Sports Psychology or Teaching/Coaching.