Physical Education A Level

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A Level                                                       Examining Board: Edexcel

Entrance requirements:

A grade 7 in GCSE Physical Education is required for A Level, as long as a 7 has been achieved on the theory paper. It may be possible to accept pupils who have not studied the subject for GCSE, particularly if they have a strong Science background.

Career Opportunities:

A Level PE is a subject widely respected by universities and many of our pupils have been accepted into the very best universities, whether to study Sports Science, Mechanical Engineering, or anything in-between! It is obviously an excellent stepping stone towards any sport-related degree course, such as Sports Science and Sports Management. There is an ever-increasing demand for sports scientists, as in recent years athletes and coaches have realised the serious impact science has on sports performance. Careers in sport can therefore range from Physiotherapy, to strength and conditioning Coaching, to Performance Analysis, to the technological development of sports equipment. London 2012 has also led to an increase in the demand for event management and sports marketing graduates with a specialism in sport.

The varied content of the subject makes it an interesting and challenging option at A Level.  Sports-minded students find it an enjoyable option, which may well offer them a good contrast within their combination of subjects. Its cross-curricular content can also complement subjects like Biology and Psychology. 

Structure of course:

The course is 70% theory and 30% coursework. The coursework is classroom-based and assumes the pupils will continue in their chosen sport outside of lessons in order to attain the necessary levels of performance, as well as enabling them to fulfil the coursework tasks related to their chosen sport.

Theory

A Level Physical Education is a continuation and extension of work introduced at GCSE. The topics studied in Lower and Upper Sixth include:

• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Biomechanical movement
• Skill acquisition
• Sport psychology
• Sport and society
• Role of technology

Each of the different topics studied are inter-related and require the students to develop an awareness of the importance that they all have collectively on performance, both the performance of an elite athlete and the student’s own performance in their chosen sport.

The theory work will be examined by two papers:

• Component One: Scientific Principles of Physical Education

(Applied A&P; Biomechanics; Exercise Physiology)

 

• Component Two: Psychological and Principles of Physical Education

(Skill Acquisition; Sports Psychology; Sport and Society)

 

Coursework

• Practical performance in one chosen sport (performer or coach): 15%
• Performance analysis: 15%

 

Lower Sixth: Analysis and evaluation of a performance

Upper Sixth: Personal Development Plan

 

The coursework is assessed via external moderation.

 

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