Key Stage Three and Four 

We want students to have access to a broad range of activities that link closely the national curriculum. All Students will receive four x 60 minute high quality PE lessons spread over a two week timetable. At KS3, there is no gender bias for which sports students will learn in lessons, our intent is to improve physical literacy through a broad range of sporting experiences in lessons. Lessons themes are sequenced so that skills developed in lessons are built on over time. 

Students work predominantly in single gender groupings for practical lessons. Some classes will be taught in mixed gender groupings. Assessments take place after the completion of a block of sport usually lasting the duration of one half-term. We understand the link between high quality feedback and student progress, students are provided with regular formative assessment opportunities to reflect on progress in all lessons; they are also assessed summatively upon completing a unit of work in an activity. 

Students in Year 9 can opt to take GCSE PE; students taking the subject at the beginning of year 9 allows us to deepen their understanding of all topics and provide extra challenge. Students have five PE GCSE lessons a fortnight, two of which are practical and three are theory lessons. The department follows the AQA syllabus which offers a comprehensive range of topics.

Key Stage Five

The course follows the AQA examining board specification and is focused on relating theory to sport and its impact on performance.

The topics covered are:

• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Skill acquisition
• Sport and society
• Exercise physiology
• Biomechanical movement
• Sport psychology
• Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport
   

Applied Physiology in which you will explore many topics including specialised training, nutrition, sports injuries, biomechanics, as well as looking in detail at how the respiratory, cardiovascular systems and energy systems function and respond to exercise.

Sports Psychology in which you will discover how the brain is behind our performance and how you can use psychological techniques to gain that extra yard

The Sociological Background and Impact of Sport. Here you will not only learn about the origins of sport but also the huge impact that sport has on society, and why it is a multi-billion pound industry. There are many fascinating topic areas including, the role of sports organisations,  drugs in sport, hooliganism, and sport's relationship with business and the media.

Performing and Analysing your Own Sports Performance. This is the practical element where you will perform and evaluate your performance as a player or coach.

Students in years 10 and 11 are awarded sports ties in recognition for any outstanding contribution to school sport during their time at the school. 

Students in years 7, 8, 9 are awarded “sport socks” in recognition for any outstanding contribution they have made to school sport during their time at the school.        

What do I need to do to be recognised with a sports honour?

• Outstanding performances for a school team
• Outstanding improvement in performance
• High levels of attendance at extra-curricular training sessions
• Outstanding levels of effort in lessons and for school teams
• Have refereed or umpired for school and interform matches
• Assisted the PE department as a Sports Leader with lunchtime, after school clubs or primary liaison days
• Outstanding performance in sport outside the school curriculum

In the summer term we hold a PE Sports Award evening where we celebrate the successes of the year, which is one of the highlights of the school calendar.

Our extremely diverse extra-curricular sports programme is fully inclusive to cater for all our students. As a department we compete in fixtures across the academic year, with sporting activities varying according to the season.  Students can take part in extra-curricular sports clubs for recreational purpose or to compete at a high level of school competition.  The range of sports offered to students include: netball, rugby, boxing, football, basketball, table tennis, rounders, softball, badminton, cricket, athletics, tennis, dance, trampolining and gymnastics. 

The PE department offer a broad range of trips which enhance the students’ personal and social development.

The annual skiing trip to New Hampshire, USA is offered to Year 8-10 students and is offered to all students regardless of previous ski experience. 

The PGL Netball residential to Liddington is offered to Year 8 , 9 and 10 students who regularly attend extra-curricular netball club. 

The biennial netball and rugby tour is offered to students in years 11-13which have previously been to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Alongside these residential trips we organise an increasing number of sporting day trips, such as Manchester City FC, Lords Cricket Ground, Hockey Champions Trophy at London Olympic Stadium, and Wimbledon international tennis championships.                 

Annually we produce a Gym and Dance show which is fully supported by students, staff, parents, and friends. This is a fully inclusive show open to both boys and girls from all year groups, it is not unusual to see upwards of 150 students involved in this incredible yearly production.