What will students’ study in GCSE PE this year?

GCSE PE

Pupils follow the Edexcel course. The course is split into 60% theory and 40% practical.

GCSE PE seeks to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to be able to develop and maintain their performance in physical activities. Students will also gain an understanding of how physical activities benefit health, fitness and well-being. Students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of team and individual activities. Students will assess their skills in analysing and evaluating their performance through a variety of physical activities. They will gain a critical understanding of PE through a variety of topics and how this links to maximising performance.

Students will gain an understanding of how physical activities benefit health, fitness and well-being and will learn the importance of leading a healthy, active lifestyle. Students will be provided the opportunities to participate in sports outside the classroom and hopefully continue out of school and in later life.

Year 9: Theory: Health, fitness & well-being, Sports Psychology and Socio-cultural influences.

Year 10: Theory: Physical training, PEP coursework and Movement analysis.

Year 11: Theory: Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Practical: Netball, Basketball, Handball, Cricket, Volleyball, Trampolining, Badminton, fitness and Athletics.

Each topic has a workbook attached to it with knowledge organisers that pupils will find useful to help with their learning overall.

What are the major assessments this year?

At the beginning of each topic, pupils will be asked to complete a small initial assessment to understand their knowledge of a topic to aid teacher planning. At the end of each practical unit of work students will be assessed on their performance of physical skills in isolated practices and their application of skills in a competitive situation. At the end of each theory unit of work students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding through exam questions. Students will re-complete the initial assessment to assess learning from each unit.

Your child will also complete 3 written assessments in line with the school calendar at the end of each term.

What do assessments test?

Practical assessments will test pupils’ skills in both isolated practices and competitive situations. The written assessment will test pupils’ knowledge and understanding of key theory concepts.

What are the expectations of my daughter in GCSE PE?

Pupils should turn up to their lessons with their full correct PE kit every lesson, including the topics workbook. They need to have a positive attitude towards learning and participate to the best of their ability every lesson. They should come with energy and enthusiasm for learning in PE. Pupils are also expected to review the knowledge organisers in their booklets and complete all homework to the best of their ability.

What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in GCSE PE?

In the first instance, please ask your child to talk to their PE teacher about how we can support them further and offer them targeted advice and ways to help. They may suggest extra resources to aid their work.

How can I best support my daughter in GCSE PE?

Ensure your child has the correct PE kit and that they bring their kit to every PE lesson. In the instance that students are not able to take part in the practical aspect of the lesson, parents must give students a note to give to their PE teacher explaining why, but they must still bring in their correct PE kit to be involved in other ways, for example, umpiring. Encourage your child to attend a wide range of co-curricular sporting clubs after school and review all theory content to develop recall knowledge.

Whom should I contact for further advice or information?

Please feel free to contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance or Miss Cutting, Head of PE on bcutting@carshaltongirls.org.uk for any further queries.