Entry Requirements

GCSE PE Grade 6 or BTEC Sport Distinction

If you have not studied GCSE PE or BTEC Sport, Grade 55 in Science

Exam Board: OCR

Why Study Physical Education?

A level provides you with an understanding of the essential skills needed to build a career in the sport and exercise sector. The qualification will give you insight into the various routes you can take, plus help you progress to employment or further education. The course investigates physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of PE and Sport. You practical performance will be assessed as well as an opportunity to analyse and evaluate your sporting performance with a view to planning an improvement plan

What Topics Will I Study?

 You will have to cover five areas.

Areas of PE and Sport

• Physiological factors affecting performance

• Psychological factors affecting performance

• Socio-cultural issues in Physical Activity and Sport

• Practical Performance

• Evaluating and analysing Performance for improvement

How Will I Be Assessed?

Area 1 - Assessed by external exam

• Physiological factors affecting performance, psychological factors affecting performance and Socio-cultural issues in Physical Activity and Sport are assessed by external exams. There are 3 areas of study.

• Applied anatomy and physiology

• Exercise physiology

• Biomechanics.

 Area 2 - Assessed by external exam

• Psychological factors affecting performance. There are 2 areas of study

• Skill acquisition

• Sports psychology.

 Area 3 - Assessed by external exam

• Socio-cultural issues in Physical Activity and Sport. There are 2 areas of study

• Sport and society

• Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport

 Area 4 – Assessed internally

• Practical performance is internally assessed. Students are assessed in either the role of performer or coach.

Area 5 – Assessed internally

• Evaluating and analysing Performance for improvement is assessed via observing a live or recorded performance by a peer and provide an oral analysis and critical evaluation of their peer’s performance.

What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?

From A level PE there are many routes either into employment or higher education. Employment opportunities include working within the sport and leisure industry, sport retail sector, PE teacher, working within  school sports partnership, sport management, sport coaching, sports massage, police officer, fire service and other public services, sports marketing, development of sport within the community.

Further university education opportunities include Sports teaching, Sports Management, Sports Science (with science A levels), Sports Coaching and Teaching, Sports Psychology, Sports Journalism and Sports analysis degrees at universities locally and nationally.

Students have been accepted at the following Universities:

• London Metropolitan University – Sport Psychology and Coaching

• Southampton University – Applied Sports Science

• St Mary’s University- Physical and Sport Education

• Exeter University

• Loughborough University