PE
The Physical Education department plays an important role in curriculum development and innovation within the Academy.
We are part of the Tamworth School Sport Coordinator Partnership, which provides benefits and opportunities to our students.
Facilities at the Academy are extensive and include 2 gymnasia, a hall, swimming pool, state of the art performance area, a brand new all-weather, full size floodlit Astroturf pitch which will be open by September 2010, several hard court areas, and 30 acres of playing fields.
There is excellent extracurricular provision at the academy, which caters for students who want both recreation and competitive opportunities.
Aims of the PE Department
The department has several aims that we would encourage students to achieve. Engaging in purposeful physical activity should encourage students to lead full and valuable lives as well as help to develop physical competence and promote physical development.
Students can be taught through experience about the value and benefits of participation in physical activity while at the Academy and throughout life.
Students should be made aware of their roles as members of teams and groups so promoting inter-personal and problem solving skills.
Key Stage 3 Physical Education
At present the curriculum is organised so that in Key Stage 3 students receive two hours of PE per week in single and mixed sex classes, focusing on developing all areas of the National Curriculum for Physical Education.
The students follow a broad and balanced curriculum in Outwitting Opponents, Performing at Maximal Levels, Accurate Replication, Exploring and Communicating Ideas, Concepts and Emotions and identifying and solving problems; exercising safely and effectively.
In Year 9, extra emphasis is placed on preparing those students who are going on to study GCSE PE. There is also an opportunity for students to gain the Entry Level in Physical Education award.
GCSE PE
The GCSE PE course is popular with the students and there is always high demand for the course when students start their GCSEs in Year 10.
The course is split into two areas:
- Practical - 60%
- Theory - 40%
Practical marks are scored out of ten for each activity and students can be assessed as a performer, a coach or choreographer, an official or an organiser.
A wide range of practical activities are offered to students on the course, as well as activities away from the Academy site. One such opportunity is for students who attend a weekend residential course where they get the opportunity to get scores in activities such as canoeing, rock climbing and orienteering to put towards their practical GCSE scores.
BTEC in Sport
The BTEC in Sport is a new course offered as an alternative to the GCSE PE course. The course has no exam. Students must complete 100% coursework which is based on a variety of projects such as:
- Fitness Testing and Training
- Performance in Team and Individual Sports
- Leading a Sporting Activity
- Injury in Sport
Key Stage 4 Core PE
At Key Stage 4 students take a more specialised route studying fewer activity areas in greater depth. Students get two hours of core PE lessons per week.
In Year 10 the Sports Leaders course is offered to students. The course is one year long and focuses on developing leadership skills.
In Year 11 students are given options of which activities to follow. Close links with the community have been developed to offer an excellent offsite options programme. Some of the activities on offer to students are:
- Swimming
- Gym sessions
Level 1 Sports Leader Award
In Year 10 students are offered the chance to complete the Level 1 in Sports Leadership course. This takes place during one hour per week of the students’ core PE time and lasts for one school year.
The award comprises of seven units of work:
- Planning, preparing and assisting a simple sporting activity.
- Basic communication skills for leading a sporting activity.
- Principles and practice in delivering a basic health and fitness session.
- Understanding fair play in sport.
- Understanding the role of the sports official.
- Understanding the scope of local sport and recreational activities.
- Demonstration of leadership skills in sport.
The course aims to give candidates an appreciation of what is required to lead a sports session successfully. The award develops many transferable skills such as planning, organisation, communication, team work, fair play and leadership.
AS & A2 Level Physical Education
Key Stage 5 PE is growing in popularity year by year. Candidates study the following areas:
AS level Physical Education:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Acquisition of Skill
- Historical Studies
A2 level Physical Education:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Psychology
- Comparative Studies