What we are trying to achieve with students
The aim of the PE Department is to provide a balanced curriculum of team and individual activities which allows each student to gain understanding of his or her own physical ability and to provide experiences which help to promote character.
Our objectives are to promote enjoyment and a sense of achievement to develop communication, cooperation and teamwork through interaction with others to encourage good health and fitness to educate students in the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle, to give opportunities for participation as a performer, a leader or an official and to encourage participation in extra-curricular activities
The courses we run
KS3
All students are introduced to a number of activities which require a variety of different skills and techniques; these include rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, football, dance, tennis, gymnastics, rounders, cricket and athletics. The students are also encouraged to increase their knowledge and understanding of the rules and tactics of the different sports.
Students learn about the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle; they have opportunities to develop leadership skills and they are encouraged to adopt a variety of roles in lessons including that of coach and official. They are encouraged to evaluate their own and others’ performances and give feedback to aid improvement.
KS4
GCSE PE
Students at Charters study for either the EDEXCEL GCSE Short Course in Physical Education, (Course code – 2PE01) which is worth half a GCSE or the EDEXCEL GCSE Full Course in Physical Education (Course Code – 3PE01) which is worth a Full GCSE. This is dependant on the student's practical and academic ability and application.
The course includes theory topics such as health and fitness, nutrition, methods and principles of training as well as basic anatomy and physiology which are assessed by a written examination. The students are also assessed on their practical ability as a performer, leader or official as well as their understanding of rules, tactics and training in one sport.
GCSE DANCE
The GCSE Dance Syllabus is broken down into three areas.
PERFORMANCE Looking at the basic principle of body movement, dynamics, spatial aspects, relationships, technique and interpretation.
COMPOSITION Involving the selection and development of appropriate movement, using a variety of choreographic techniques and stimuli.
APPRECIATION Involves the understanding and analysis of dance from peers, themselves and professional dances. A variety of dance styles, choreographers, dancers and dance companies will be studied.
Throughout the course students will develop a more informed opinion of dance. They will have many opportunities to visit theatres and professional dance companies as well as performing themselves in public shows and workshops. Group work is also an integral part of the course. Through sharing ideas and opinions students will develop personal skills of leadership, compromise and decision making.
GCSE Dance will give a good grounding for any vocation centred around the world of art and entertainment. Self confidence, the ability to communicate effectively and the skills of expression are all developed throughout the course. These characteristics will benefit anyone in a working environment or taking future courses including AS Level Dance and AS Performing Arts in particular.
BTEC SPORT – First Diploma
The BTEC Level 2 First Diploma is a practical, work-related course. It is the equivalent to four GCSEs at grade A-C. Students learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. It introduces learners to particular areas of employment and provides a good basis to go onto more advanced work-related qualifications
This course requires a student to complete six units over a two year period. The course consists of two core units that provide a general foundation and four specialist units which introduce learners to particular topics in more depth.
The two core units are
- Fitness Testing and Training
- Practical Sport
The other units will be confirmed at the start of the course. They may include injury in sport, planning and leading sports activities, work experience, nutrition etc.
The course is assessed by using pass, merit and distinction criteria. At the end of the year the points are added up to give an overall grade.
There is an opportunity for a small number of students, selected by application and interview, to complete the Young Apprentice scheme which is linked to the BTEC First Diploma course. Students are given a number of opportunities to gather further sport specific qualifications and work experience to enable them to build skills and characteristics which would be suitable for a Sport and Leisure based career. These students are very dedicated to this course and are required to make a commitment to attending school on inset days and holidays in order to fulfil the demands of this course.
BTEC SPORT – First Certificate
The BTEC Level 2 First Certificate is a practical, work-related course, this is the equivalent to two GCSEs at grade A-C. The course has a similar structure to the diploma however the students are required to complete three units over a two year period.
KS5
A Level
OCR A-level Physical Education. Pupils are assessed in both theoretical and practical aspects of PE. Six different theory elements are explored over the two year course: Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Skill Acquisition, Sports Psychology, Socio-cultural Studies and Comparative Studies as well as two practical sports accompanied with oral interview assessments.
BTEC
EDEXCEL BTEC National in Sport: Pupils experience the more vocational side of the sports and leisure industry with a variety of different units being assessed. This is a Level 3 qualification and builds on the experiences gained at KS4 with the Level 2 courses. The National Certificate is equivalent to 2 A levels and the National Award is equivalent to 1 A level. The units currently include Sports Coaching, Health and Safety, Fitness Testing and Outdoor and Adventurous Activities. All units are coursework based assignments with the option of re-submission.
NVQs
NVQ Tennis and NVQ Football. Using specialist staff, pupils are integrated into the coaching dimension of their sport where they have theoretical aspects that complement the practical experience gained over the course. Pupils contribute to the extra-curricular and G&T coaching that the PE department deliver.
CSLA
In Year 12, students have the opportunity to study the Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership (Level 1 Award in Junior Sports Leadership should be completed prior). This course consists of 35 hours (min) of guided learning involving a variety of topics such as organising and running a sporting event and leading sport within the community. Minimum age is 16.
Completion of the Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership allows students to progress to the Level 3 Award in Higher Sports Leadership (Yr 13). This course follows a similar path to the Level 2 Award. The main difference is the guided learning hours which is 120 hours. Minimum age is 17 but students must be 18 on completion. This award gives students 30 UCAS tariff points.
Gifted and Talented Students in PE
A ‘High Achiever/Subject Specialist’ in PE refers to one whose performance significantly exceeds the majority of his/her peers. The student would be considered to be representing a sport/sports at a district, county, regional or international standard or have the potential for a similar achievement. High Achievers/Subject Specialists can excel within a number of differing abilities such as showing Physical, Social, Cognitive, Personal and Creative skills. High Achieving/Subject Specialist PE students will demonstrate one or more of following:
- Combine movements in a precise and fluent manner within a range of contexts / sports / activities.
- Make good decisions within a range of contexts showing autonomy, independence and leadership.
- Ability to form, adapt different tactics and strategies.
- Shows motivation and perseverance in challenging environments and plans effectively to overcome difficulties.
- Uses a broad vocabulary when presenting and describing performances.
- Shows innovation and creativity within independent and small group activities.
Gifted and Talented Students in Dance
A ‘High Achiever/Subject Specialist’ Dance student refers to one whose performance significantly exceeds the majority of his/her peers. Gifted and talented pupils should excel within a number of differing abilities and Dance students will demonstrate one or more of following:
- excellent technical ability and accurate execution of action, dynamic and spatial content.
- a sensitive interpretation of the mood and meaning which is communicated when performing.
- committed and engaging performances which communicates a sense of performance energy to the audience.
- a high sensitivity to the performance of other dancers.
- inspired, creative and original responses to stimuli.
- a range of choreographic devices when creating compositions.
Items of particular interest
Extra opportunities are available for students to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities ranging from internal competitions to nationwide competitions. In addition there are visits to watch local professional sports teams and international matches as well as G&T training opportunities and sports tours. Dance students participate in shows and performances.
For your reference
The PE clubs timetable can be found here
The PE calendar can be found here