PE Curriculum Maps 2023/24

Department: Physical Education

Curriculum Intention:

• Our vision is to provide a first-class Physical Education curriculum that inspires all of our students to engage and succeed in competitive sport and other activities. We aim to develop the resilience, confidence and leadership capacity of our learners, who can work both independently and as part of a team. We hope that our curriculum will develop a life-long interest and passion for sport and physical activity. Our vision is simplified through our motto ‘Inspire – Compete – Succeed’.
• In core PE, students in KS3 & 4 are taught and assessed through 2 strands; Physical Competency and Personal Development. Each strand has 3 Key Concepts; Physical Competency (replication of skills, decision making, evaluating and improving) and Personal Development (leadership, character, health and wellbeing). The department vision is for students to develop a life-long love of sport and physical activity, and this recognises that not all students are good at it! We value Personal Development as much as Physical competency and therefore assess in both. 

Curriculum Implementation: To realise our vision, our curriculum provides students with the following opportunities:

Core PE (KS3 & 4)

• Our curriculum is designed to maximise engagement, enjoyment and inclusiveness. In year 7, a broad and balanced curriculum is taught, building on the fundamental movement skills and basic introduction to games and activities learnt in primary school. In years 8 and 9 the class teacher starts to specialise with pathways which will help maximise engagement with their particular group. This further progresses to KS4, where students can pick 1 of 3 distinct pathways to again maximise engagement: Competitive Sport, Active for Life & Personal Growth. All students, no matter the pathway, will have the opportunity to use the swimming pool (subject to availability), and all students will spend at least 8 lessons completing fitness testing and designing their own Training Programme which is then implemented in the fitness suite. In year 10, all students take part in a range of athletic activities to prepare them for Sports Day. In year 11, all students have the opportunity to take part in mindfulness activities in order to equip them with the skills needed to cope with exam stress. 
• In the Competitive Sport pathway, students take part in some of the sports they have already experienced at KS3, and some, such as water polo, will be completely new. The emphasis of this pathway is on developing Physical Competency which is delivered through a mainly games-based approach to learning. Advanced skills and key strategic and tactical concepts for performance are taught as a progression from KS3, as well as encouraging students to evaluate and improve their performance. Personal Development is also an important part of the Competitive Sport Pathway. Health and wellbeing (with an emphasis on improving fitness and conditioning to affect performance), character building and developing leadership capacity all feature.
• In the Active for Life pathway, students take part in a range of both sport and fitness activities. This pathway can therefore be tailored to either fitness activities, recreational sports, or a mixture of both depending on the group. The sport activities are less competitive and more recreational than the Competitive Sport pathway. This allows students to stay engaged due to a lower emphasis on competition. The fitness activities are purposefully designed to mirror what a Leisure Centre or private gym franchise environment may offer. We are incredibly fortunate to have staff which are trained to teach Pump, Cycle Fit, and Exercise to Music. Other activities include circuit training (including HIIT and plyometric training), yoga, stretch and balance, sport specific fitness (such as Football Fitness) and Boot Camp. This pathway can also include a unit on Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, so that students can develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
• In the Personal Growth pathway, students have the opportunity to take part in both traditional sports, such as hockey and rounders, as well as alternative sports, such as handball, VX (Rock-it-ball), and mini tennis. Students also have the opportunity to take part in a Lifesaving unit within the swimming pool. A First Aid unit is also offered, whereby students can learn basic First Aid within a classroom environment. The emphasis of the Personal Growth pathway is on Personal Development - improving health and wellbeing, leadership capacity and character building (resilience, independence, confidence, teamwork and problem solving). In order to facilitate the development of these skills, students are encouraged to take on a variety of roles, such as captain, coach, official, and player. Students also have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Sport Education’ unit where they can take on the role of manager, journalist and publicist. 

Academic PE (KS4 & 5)

Just like with core PE, we again pride ourselves on offering pathways to students should they choose to study Academic PE. In years 10 and 11, students have the option to choose either the vocational OCR Cambridge National in Sport Science or OCR GCSE Physical Education. This trend continues into Huish Sixth, where students can choose to study OCR Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity (single and double award), or OCR A Level Physical Education. Our uptake for courses is high and students on the whole perform very well.

GCSE Physical Education

The GCSE in Physical Education equips students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to develop their own performance in sport. They develop their understanding of socio-cultural influences on participation in sport, and the benefits of physical activity to health, fitness and well-being.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/physical-education-j587-from-2016/

Cambridge National Sport Science

The Cambridge National in Sport Science helps students appreciate how sport science underpins sport at all levels. They learn about risk and injury prevention, improving personal fitness through appropriate training and the role of diet and nutrition in improving performance.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/sport-science-level-1-2-j828/

A Level Physical Education

The A Level in Physical Education develops knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to physical education. Students gain understanding of the scientific and socio-cultural factors that underpin physical activity, and demonstrate their ability as either performer or coach.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/physical-education-h155-h555-from-2016/

Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity

The Cambridge Technicals in Sport and Physical Activity provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required in this sector. Using a practical approach and a choice of pathways they help students develop specific skills that enable them to participate as an assistant in a variety of roles. We offer both the single and double award.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-technicals/sport-and-physical-activity/

Monitoring and assessing curriculum impact:

Our curriculum is monitored via the Quality Assurance schedule, in line with school policy. This includes learning walks, book looks and student voice. 

Core PE (KS3 & 4)

• At KS3, students are assessed through 2 strands; Physical Competency and Personal Development. Each strand has 3 Key Concepts; Physical Competency (Replication of Skills, Outwitting Opponents/Decision Making, and Evaluating and Improving); Personal Development (Leadership, Character, Health and Well-being).  Students will be assessed in these 6 Key Concepts across a variety of sporting activities throughout years 7-9. This assessment structure continues into KS4 Core PE, with students being assessed on Key Concepts which are relevant to the pathway they have chosen in years 10 and 11.
• Students will receive formative assessment within their lessons, to help aid improvement within the activity. In KS3, students will be able to receive a summative assessment termly, through their access to Google Classroom. This will inform them of how to improve within each strand.
• We expect students to be working at or beyond the age expectation, as per our assessment grids.

Academic PE (KS4 & 5)

• For content which is assessed via an external exam, theoretical knowledge is tested at the end of each topic or series of topics, followed by a lesson on ‘Response to Feedback Time’ (RFT) which allows students to close gaps in their knowledge and skills.
• For coursework which is NEA (Non-Exam Assessment), students receive feedback and RFT in line with exam board requirements.
• Finally, in GCSE and A Level PE, students are also assessed in their practical performance/s.