A Level Physical Education

This course is suitable for anyone who has an interest in sport, and is a good foundation for anyone intending to study a HE course connected with the huge and expanding Sport and Leisure industry. The new OCR specification has been chosen. The assessment is via theory (60%) and practical (40%).

AS Physical Education (from Sept. 2008)

Anatomy & Physiology

This section focuses on the impact of physical activity on the systems of the body and on young people’s participation and performance in physical activity as part of a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. This will lead to an improvement in the effectiveness and efficiency of their performance in roles such as performer, leader/coach and official.

Skill Acquisition

This section focuses on the acquisition of movement skills that have an impact on young people’s participation and performance in physical activity. This section includes coverage of practice conditions and their effect on performance as well as the underlying information processing needed for effective and efficient performance. The application of the knowledge gained will enable candidates to evaluate critically methods of acquiring and developing movement skills.

Socio-Cultural Studies

This section focuses on physical activity as a valuable and necessary experience in contemporary society. A knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural factors that have an impact on regular participation and the achievement of excellence in physical activity will enable candidates to appreciate the opportunities and pathways available for involvement in physical activity.

Acquiring, developing and evaluating practical skills in Physical Education

Candidates will be assessed in:
Performing two chosen activities from two different activity profiles and Evaluating and Planning for the improvement of performance.

OR

Performing one chosen activity and coaching/leading one chosen activity from two different activity profiles together with Evaluating and Planning for the improvement of performance.

OR

Performing one chosen activity and officiating one chosen activity from two different activity profiles together with Evaluating and Planning for the improvement of performance.

A2 Physical Education

AS accounts for 50% of A2

Exercise & Sport Physiology

This section focuses on how the body changes as a result of physical activity and how physical competence may be improved as a result of sustaining a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle. Candidates will develop their knowledge and understanding of the measurement, analysis and appraisal of physical fitness and the ability to apply physiological concepts that enable young people to be physically active.

Sports Psychology

This section focuses on the sports psychology factors, such as individual differences and group dynamics that affect participation and improve competence in physical activity. Candidates will develop their knowledge and understanding of the relationship between skill, strategy/composition and body and mind readiness in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of performance. This section covers the psychological aspects of mental preparation for the performance of physical activities.

Historical Studies

This section focuses on the historical factors that have had an impact on the participation in physical activity. The application of historical concepts will enable candidates to evaluate critically the key societal influences that in both the past and the present have limited or encouraged involvement in physical activity.

The improvement of effective performance and critical evaluation of the practical activities with synoptic assessment.

Candidates will be assessed in:

Performing one chosen activity from one of the activity profiles and the Evaluation, Appreciation and Improvement of Performance.

OR

Coaching/Leading one chosen activity from one of the activity profiles and the Evaluation, Appreciation and Improvement of Performance.

OR

Officiating one chosen activity from one of the activity profiles and the Evaluation, appreciation and Improvement of Performance.

Candidates are assessed in one chosen activity. This must be one of the activities that they were assessed in at AS Level in Unit G452.