GCSE Physical Education

Examination Board - CCEA

This CCEA GCSE specification in physical education will enable learners to engage in a practical course, designed to encourage learners to be inspired, motivated and challenged by the subject and enable them to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career pathways.

Through studying GCSE Physical Education learners will acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to develop and maintain their performance in physical activities and understand the benefits to health, fitness and well-being.

Learners will develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.

Learners will perform effectively in different physical activities by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas. They will develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance in physical activity and sport. By studying GCSE Physical Education learners will:

• Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.

• Understand how the physiological and psychological state affects performance in physical activity and sport.

• Perform effectively in different physical activities 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 in physical activity and sport.

• Understand the contribution which physical activity and sport make to health, fitness and well-being.

• Understand key socio-cultural influences which can affect people’s involvement in physical activity and sport in the UK and the wider world.

SUBJECT CONTENT

The subject content focuses on five key areas:

1. Health, training and exercise

2. Exercise physiology

3. Movement analysis

4. Psychology of sport and physical activity

5. Socio-cultural issues in sport and physical activity.

All of the subject content is assessed in Unit 1 as part of the written examination and in Unit 2 as part of the personal fitness programme.

Units 1 and 2 require learners to demonstrate an understanding of how both qualitative and quantitative data are collected. Learners are also required to analyse and evaluate data. 

In Unit 2 learners have to present data, including tables and graphs, as part of the personal fitness programme.

Unit 1

Introduction to physical education

Written examination: 2 hours

50% of qualification

100 marks

Learners will be assessed through a range of short and extended questions. The questions will be based on audio-visual stimuli and other sources.

Unit 2

The active participant in physical education

Non-exam assessment

50% of qualification

100 marks

Learners will be assessed in:

• Three different activities in the role of performer

• At least one individual and one team sport and one other from the approved lists of activities in Appendix B

• A personal fitness programme linked to the chosen major activity.