A level PE

A level Specification and Curriculum Overview

Exam Board - AQA

How is it taught?

This has always been a very popular course. Studying A Level Physical Education will give students an insight into sports performance. This qualification is accepted by Universities and Colleges nationwide as a recognised qualification for entry into higher education.

Learning outcomes require students to:

Perform or coach an activity through the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), they will also develop a wide-ranging knowledge into physical activity and sport.
Combine physical performance and academic challenge which provides an exciting opportunity for students.
Gain knowledge to improve their own and others’ performance through application of theory, learnt within lessons
Learn the reasons why we do things, why some people outperform others – from a mental and physical point of view
Learn about the ethical considerations behind the use of deviant behaviour and the influence that modern technology is having on physical activity and sport

Course entry requirements

For those who have studied GCSE Physical Education, the minimum requirement is a Grade 7.
Students who have not studied GCSE PE will be considered, the Director of PE and Sport will assess a student's ability to study A Level PE based on individual cases

As there is a large biological content in the course, it is necessary that candidates have a good scientific background with at least a Grade 7 in Combined Science GCSE or a Grade 7 in Biology and Physics GCSE where taught as separate Science subjects.

Students should be participating, regularly in their chosen Sport. You are assessed in one sport, usually through practically participating or alternatively in a coaching capacity. You will demonstrate this participation and performance through video evidence of yourself in a fully competitive context.

Course content

Paper 1 - Worth 105 marks / 30% of final grade / 2 hour written paper / sat in Summer of Year 13

Section A: Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Neuromuscular Systems
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Energy Systems
Environmental effects on body systems

Section B: Skill Acquisition

Skill acquisition
Learning, guidance and feedback
Memory

Section C: Sport and Society

Emergence of globalisation of sport in the 21st century
The impact of sport on society and of society on sport

Paper 2 - Worth 105 marks / 30% of final grade / 2 hour written paper / sat in Summer of Year 13

Section A: Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics

Exercise Physiology

Diet and Nutrition
Preparation and training methods
Injury prevention and rehabilitation of injury

Biomechanical movement including linear and angular motion and levers

Section B: Sport Psychology

Psychological factors that can influence an individual

Section C: Sport and Society and Technology in Sport

Concepts of physical activity and sport

Ethics in sport
Commercialisation and technology on physical activity and sport

Non-examined Assessment

Worth 90 marks / 30% of final grade / completed over the two year course

Analysis and Evaluation of Performance

This is a written task where students are asked to analyse a performer in their chosen sport (often themselves). They will demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the sport and skills involved, be able to identify and explain the movements in the sport and analyse the reasons for weaknesses and success in comparison with an elite performer or perfect model. They will use their theoretical knowledge to identify and evaluate a theoretical cause of weakness and construct a theoretical corrective measure against the weaknesses identified in the earlier stages of the work.

Performance or Coaching

Students are assessed in ONE PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
Students will be assessed based on their mastery of skills and techniques alongside effective performance in full, formal competitive situations.
Students will be assessed in their performance based on their ability to select and perform appropriate skills consistently, precisely and with control and fluency, adapting them to suit a variety of situations in authentic conditioned, competitive environments for their chosen activity. The assessment MUST include performance in full, formal competitive situations.
This will submitted as a video, demonstrating all the criteria required within the assessment - it will then be submitted to AQA as part of the evidence for the final NEA grade.

For more information speak to

Mrs Hartley, Director of PE and Sport, or your P.E. teacher

Helpful Resources

The EverLearner

We use 'The EverLearner' online programme to support our delivery of Academic PE at Borlase.

Please have a look at the link to explore their website - The EverLearner

Students will get their own log in username and password, for the duration of the course.

A level PE

A level Specification and Curriculum Overview

How is it taught?

Course entry requirements

Course content

Paper 1 - Worth 105 marks / 30% of final grade / 2 hour written paper / sat in Summer of Year 13

Section A: Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Section B: Skill Acquisition

Section C: Sport and Society

Paper 2 - Worth 105 marks / 30% of final grade / 2 hour written paper / sat in Summer of Year 13

Section A: Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics

Section B: Sport Psychology

Section C: Sport and Society and Technology in Sport

Non-examined Assessment

Helpful Resources

Further reading or watching

Beastly Fury: The Strange Birth Of British Football. Richard Sanders

Sport And The British: A Modern History. Richard Holt

Sport in Capitalist Society: A Short History. Tony Collins

It's Not Cricket: Skullduggery, Sharp Practice and Downright Cheating in the Noble Game. Simon Rae

Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice. Matthew Syed

The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs. Daniel Coyle

Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics. Jules Boykoff

The Games: A Global History of the Olympics. David Goldblatt

The English Game, Emergence and Evolution of Sport - Sport in 1850s Post-Industrial Britain. (trailer)

Race, Global Sporting Events - Political Exploitation Berlin 1936 Third Reich Ideology. (trailer)

Munich, Global sporting Events - Political eExploitation Munich 1972 Palastinian terrorism. (trailer)

Icarus, Ethics and Deviance - Drugs and Doping in sport. (trailer)

Gamechangers, Diet and Nutrition - Exercise Physiology. (trailer)

Remember The Titans, Stages of Group Formation - Sports Psychology. (trailer)

Andy Murray: Resurfacing - Sports Psychology and Exercise Physiology. (trailer)

The Last Dance: The untold story of Michael Jordan and the Bulls - Sports Psychology, Exercise Physiology and Socio-Cultural. (trailer)