AS/A Level Physical Education

This course is for learners who have a real interest in sports and fitness and compete or take a regular part in sport activities. The course will enable learners to:

• Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance
• Understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance
• Understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance
• Understand the role of technology in physical activity and sport
• Refine their ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas
• Develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance
• Understand the contribution that physical activity makes to health and fitness
• Improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds.

During the first year, learners will complete units 1 and 2 which are worth 40% of the A Level qualification:

Unit 1 - Exploring Physical Education (24% of the qualification)

Written examination: 1¾ hours. Contextualised questions to include multiple choice, data response, short and extended answers.

Lessons will focus on the following 4 areas of study:

• Exercise physiology, performance analysis and training
• Sport psychology
• Skill acquisition
• Sport and society

Unit 2 - Improving personal performance (16% of the qualification)

• Practical performance in one activity as a player/performer.
• Practical performance as a coach or official.
• Personal Performance Profile.

During the second year, learners will complete units 3 and 4 which are worth 60% of the A Level qualification:

Unit 3 - Evaluating Physical Education (36% of the qualification)

Written examination: 2 hours. A range of questions to include data response, short and extended answers.

Lessons will focus on different aspects of the 4 AS areas of study for the examination:

• Exercise physiology, performance analysis and training.
• Sport psychology
• Skill acquisition
• Sport and society

Unit 4 - Improving personal performance (24% of the qualification)

Practical performance in one activity as a player/performer, coach or official. Most of the lessons will be delivered in the classroom. There will also be the occasional practical lesson to reinforce the lessons taught in the classroom.