PE & Sport

Course Content

This option is largely concerned with the theory of sport and although students are assessed as practical performers, 4 out of 5 lessons over the two week timetable will be classroom based. Students can expect to study the following topics:

1. Applied anatomy and physiology

2. Movement analysis

3. Physical training

4. Sports psychology

5. Socio-cultural influences

6. Health, fitness and well-being

Assessment & Qualification

Students are assessed as a practical performer within 3 different sports and are required to evaluate a performer within a chosen sport. Two of the sports will be as a team and individual performer, with the third being a choice of either team/ individual performer made by the students themselves depending on their strengths/abilities in certain sports. In addition pupils will have to complete a piece of written coursework based on a performance in one of their assessed sports. These practical and coursework components are worth 40% of the overall grade and is externally moderated by the exam board. The written exam paper is worth 60% of the overall grade.

Learning Styles

Problem Solving; Thinking skills; Independent work; Discussion work; Working through practical involvement; Practical sport.

Career / Progression

The sports industry is a rapidly growing sector and the range of jobs available increases each year. GCSE PE students will follow a range of topics that will provide an insight into the sport industry and the world of sports science.  In year 12, students can go on to study A level PE or Cambridge Technicals in sport.  There are also a few apprenticeships available locally in the leisure and fitness sector.

In order to study GCSE PE we expect students to participate in a minimum of one sport outside of school and are confident to perform in at least 3 different sports. This will allow them to achieve a higher grade in the practical aspect of the course, which accounts for 40%.  We also recommend that you have a strong interest in Science, Psychology and Socio-Cultural studies.  Sport and Exercise is nationally recognised as a Scientific subject, therefore a keen interest in this is required.

Possible jobs that could lead on from studying PE are: Lifeguard, leisure assistant, PE technician, fitness instructor, sports coach and sport referee.

Transferable skills are: Verbal, visual and manual communication, working as part of a team, working independently, giving presentations and preparing reports.

Course Content

NCFE Sport Studies is a vocational qualification which develops practical coaching skills and knowledge related to the sports industry. This course is designed to help students learn and develop both their practical and technical skills in sport. The course focuses on applied study of sports providing the opportunity for learners to use knowledge and practical tools to focus on organising sports competitions and apply leadership and coaching skills.

Students can expect to study the following topics:

1. Participation in Sport

2. Ethics in Sport

3. Sponsorship Media and Marketing in Sport

4. The Use of Technology in Sport

5. Planning, Delivering and Reviewing a Sports Competition

6. Sports Injuries

7. Psychology of Sports Performance

8. Developing Sports Leadership and Sports Coaching Skills

9. Skill Classification and Performance Analysis

10. Developing, Delivering and Reviewing a Sports Coaching Session

Assessment & Qualification

As this is a vocational qualification it will include classroom-based and practical activities and is assessed by one written exam and one project based coursework assessment. The coursework assessment will be worth 60% of the overall grade and the written exam worth 40% of the overall grade received. A large component of the coursework assessment involves planning and delivering a coaching session which will then be reviewed. The coursework assessment and the written exam will involve content from the above ten topics. Both of the assessments will take place in year 11 allowing the key content and core skills to be developed during the entirety of year 10. 

Learning Styles

Problem Solving; Thinking skills; Independent work; Discussion work; Working through practical involvement; Practical sport; Coaching development.

Why NCFE Sports Studies?

Why would my child do NCFE Sports Studies rather than GCSE PE? NCFE Sport Studies is designed to allow students the freedom to explore more deeply the things that interest them. The teaching of the qualification will normally be through classwork, learning skills and how to do things that may be relevant to the world of work through practical coaching aspects. One lesson per two week cycle will aim to develop planning and coaching skills. Due to the core aspect of coaching in this qualification, the content delivered is less focused on science and more around the study of sport and how it relates to coaching. So if your child likes project work and doing practical things they may find a NCFE Sports Studies a better option than a GCSE PE.

To ensure the qualification is robust and as stretching as a GCSE, every NCFE has an exam. This exam is sat at the end of the two year course.

Career / Progression

The sports industry is a rapidly growing sector and the range of jobs available increases each year. NCFE Sports Studies students will receive experience in a range of areas linked to the sport and coaching industry. In year 12, students can go on to study Cambridge Technicals or A Level PE. There are also apprenticeships available across the North East in this sector.

Possible jobs that could lead on from studying NCFE Sports Studies are: Lifeguard, leisure assistant, PE technician, fitness instructor, sports coach and sport referee.

Transferable skills are: Verbal, visual and manual communication, working as part of a team, working independently, planning, evaluating and reflecting.