PE at RPA

PE develops students’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school.

PE enables all students to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity. They develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve them. As a result, they develop the confidence to take part in different physical activities and learn about the value of healthy, active lifestyles. Discovering what they like to do, what their aptitudes are at school, and how and where to get involved in physical activity, helps them make informed choices about lifelong physical activity.

PE helps students develop personally and socially. They work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness and of personal and social responsibility. They take on different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that PE offers, they learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations.

3 E’s in PE

What we do when

Year 7

Promoting physical fitness and developing fundamental core skills. Learning basic tactics and strategies.

Year 8

Promoting physical fitness and applying fundamental core skills. Implementing basic tactics and strategies.

Year 9

Promoting physical fitness and mastering fundamentals core skills. Applying advanced tactics and strategies.

The above will be developed through:

• outwitting opponents

• accurate replication of actions, phrases and sequences

• exploring and communicating ideas, concepts and emotions

• performing at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength or accuracy

• exercising safely and effectively to improve health and wellbeing

Key Stage 4

Continue lifelong engagement with physical activity. Mastery of skills, tactics and strategies in assessed sports. Analysing and evaluating one's own performance in a chosen sport. Deepening their knowledge across physiological, psychological and socio-cultural factors in physical activity.

Students will also participate in a games lesson that promotes engagement and lifelong activity in physical education once a week.

GCSE Physical Education (AQA - 8582)

Theoretical Component

• Year 10 Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport

• Year 11 Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport

• Written Paper - 1 hour 15 minutes (both exams)

• 78 marks each (both papers combine to make 60% of the GCSE)

Practical Component (Non-exam assessment)

• Practical performance in physical activity and sport

• Controlled Assessment - analysis of own performance in a chosen sport

• 100 marks - 40% of GCSE

• Practical performance in three different physical activities in the role of player/performer (at least one team and one individual sport).

• Please click here to see an overview of the course

Key Stage 5

Continue lifelong engagement with physical activity. Mastery of skills, tactics and strategies in assessed sports. Analysing and evaluating one's own performance in a chosen sport. Deepening their knowledge across physiological, psychological and socio-cultural factors in physical activity.  Broadening their opportunities to pursue future pathways in sport and physical education.

OCR A Level PE (H555)

Theoretical Component

Physiological factors affecting performance - Exam - 2 hours - 90 marks - 30% of A Level

• Applied anatomy and physiology

• Exercise physiology

• Biomechanics

Psychological factors affecting performance - Exam - 1 hour - 60 marks - 20% of A Level

• Skill acquisition

• Sports Psychology

Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport - Exam  - 1 hour - 60 marks - 20% of A Level

• Sport and society

• Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport

Practical Component (Non-exam assessment)

Performance in physical education - Controlled assessment - 60 marks - 30% of total A Level

• Performance or coaching in one chosen activity

• Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (verbal presentation)

Please click here to view the specification.

Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science

Year 12 (examined units):

• Unit 1: Sport and Exercise Physiology

• Unit 2:  Functional Anatomy

• Unit 3: Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year 13 (coursework units):

• Unit 4:  Field and Laboratory-based Fitness Testing

• Unit 5: Applied Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science

• Unit 6: Coaching for Performance and Fitness

• Unit 8: Specialised Fitness Training

• Unit 9: Research Project in Sport and Exercise Science

Please click here to read an overview of the units.

Extracurricular Activities

Richmond Park Academy runs an extensive variety of extracurricular clubs throughout the year. Activities include:

• Athletics

• Badminton

• Basketball

• Boxing

• Cricket

• Cross Country

• Dance

• Fitness

• Football

• Gymnastics

• Hockey

• Lacrosse 

• Netball

• Rounders

• Rugby

• Softball

• Table tennis

• Tennis

• Trampolining 

• Volleyball

We also enter in competitions that we may not be able to offer on our extracurricular programme: rowing and swimming.

We have close links to community sports providers such as:

• Richmond Knights Basketball

• Brentford FC

• Harlequins FC

• Richmond Rugby

• Middlesex CC

• Frank Boxing

These organisations provide coaches in curriculum time and for after-school clubs which increase the opportunities for student participation.

Who to contact

Miss Smith - hsmith@richmondparkacademy.org