Physical Education

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 we try to enable students to experience a wide range of sporting activities. They will take part in twelve sports each year. Students work on a three week rotation which means they have approximately six lessons for each sport

The sports we cover in Key Stage 3 are:

  • Invasion – football, netball, rugby (contact or tag), hockey, handball
  • Striking and Fielding – rounders, cricket, softball
  • Net/Wall games – tennis, badminton and volleyball
  • Gymnastics
  • Athletics – sprinting, long distance running, throwing and jumping
  • Fitness
  • Theory lessons for Years 8 and 9

The curriculum is flexible which means that it can be altered depending on the groups being taught.

All sports that are covered in the curriculum are available as lunchtime or after school clubs.

Key Stage 4

Core – PE lessons – Year 10 & 11

Developing Independence – Promoting Sport for Life
Students in Year 10 and 11 have three hours of PE per fortnight. In this time we encourage students to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. Our aim as a PE Department is to find a form of physical activity for all students that they can enjoy and will continue to participate in once they leave school.  To try and encourage participation we split each class into different groups dependent on their approach and attitude to physical activity and sport, for example, a competitive group or a social group.

Examination Courses

At Key Stage 4 students can opt to take GCSE Physical Education or OCR National Level 2 Sports Studies or Sports Science.

GCSE Physical Education

This course is weighted in the following way:

60% theory mark

40% practical mark

Students have five theory lessons over two weeks and three core practical lessons. Students are assessed through two written examinations. These are based on the following elements of theoretical understanding:

Paper One: The Human Body and Movement in Physical Activity and Sport

Paper Two: Socio-Cultural Influences and Well-Being in Physical Activity and Sport

Students are then assessed practically through three activities. One must be a team sport, one an individual and then a third from either category.

CNAT Sport Studies

This course is assessed in the following way:

40% exam

60% coursework

This course is mostly a coursework-based qualification. Students will also sit an external exam in one unit. Students will have five theory lessons and three practical PE lessons in a two-week cycle. Students will study the following units:

Contemporary Issues in Sport – exam unit
Performance and leadership in sports activities – coursework and practical unit
Increasing awareness of outdoor and adventurous activities – coursework unit

Key Stage 5

A Level Physical Education can be taken when entering the Sixth Form. It is advisable to have taken GCSE Physical Education but not always necessary. The subject is taught in the Consortium with Hitchin Girls’ School. Lessons are taught by teachers at both schools.

Units Covered

Physiological factors affecting performance – Theory Exam
Psychological factors affecting performance – Theory Exam
Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport – Theory Exam
Practical unit-performance in physical education – One selected sport
Evaluation & analysis of performance for improvement – Coursework

PE Kit

PE Kit

Extra-Curricular Activities

All sports that are covered in the curriculum are available as lunchtime or after school clubs.

Students have the opportunity to represent the school in a wide range of events such as matches against other local schools. We take part in a number of district and county competitions. We recognise the talent and dedication of our students through our annual Sports Presentation evening.

TPS Award

The TPS Award is a unique opportunity in place for all Year 9 students at The Priory School. Through our commitment to provide a broad curriculum of physical activity, we have designed a programme to ensure Outdoor and Adventurous Activities are an accessible option for students.

Through the TPS Award students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, commit time to physical activity, dedicate time to a volunteering project and appreciate the outdoors. Students will learn a range of skills to support an expedition component. All students will gain a TPS Award qualification from completing these sections, named Nevis, Kilimanjaro and Everest. Different levels are in place to provide differentiated support and appropriate levels of challenge for students. Students have the opportunity of top up from the TPS Award to the full Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Through this opportunity students will develop a range of employability skills. They will also experience an alternative form of physical activity to potentially inspire them and provide stepping stones for further opportunities at The Priory School, such as the Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and World Challenge Expeditions.

Students in Years 7 and 8 will also experience Outdoor and Adventurous Activities as units of work to progress and prepare for the TPS Award.

Careers

  • PE Teacher
  • Sports Coach
  • Sports Management
  • Sports Injury / Physiotherapy
  • Personal Trainer
  • Referee/ Umpiring
  • Leisure Centre Management
  • Sports Development Coordinator
  • Sport Marketing

Staff

  • Mrs Helen Foy – Head of Department
  • Mr Nathan Jessney – 2nd in Department
  • Mrs Sally Emler – Teacher of Physical Education; Raising Aspirations Coordinator
  • Mr Cameron Omar – Teacher of Physical Education and Business
  • Mr Brett Coverdale – Teacher of Physical Education; Assistant Head of Year 9
  • Mrs Jo Churchman – PE Technician & Cover Supervisor
  • Mr Jack Maydom – Teacher of Physical Education, Design & Technology; Assistant Head of Year 10
  • Miss Charlotte Morris – Teacher of Physical Education and Science