Mrs N Guy (Head of Department)

Miss J Knee

At Key Stage 3, all girls undertake a course of traditional games activities, including Netball, Hockey and Tennis. Other areas studied are Gymnastics, Outdoor and Adventurous activities, Dance and Athletics. The focus at this level is: to refine and acquire new skills; to select and apply skills using tactics and compositional ideas; to evaluate and improve upon personal performances; to increase knowledge of fitness and health.

At Key Stage 4 the activities offered are a mixture of traditional and individual pursuits. There is a strong emphasis on planning and evaluation of self and others. There is also a need to experience different roles, so there is a focus on learning rules and officiating in a variety of sports. Girls choose from a range of activities including Badminton, Trampolining and the fitness room. We are keen to encourage the development of individual interests, therefore alternative programmes may be considered, including Swimming, Aerobics and OAA.

At AS and A2, pupils follow the AQA course which looks at sport and physical education from physical, social and psychological perspectives. The course requires students to view the performer in local, national and global positions.

Teaching methods vary between the theoretical and the practical. Students are expected to be aware of current and popular issues in sport and must develop a portfolio of support work and reading materials. They discuss and form opinions in a group setting as well as presenting ideas to the group individually.

The Units are:

1. Physiological and Psychological Factors which Improve Performance

2. Socio-Cultural and Historical Effects on Participation in Physical Activity and their Influence on Performance.

3. Analysis and improvement of performance.

4. Physiological, Biomechanical and Psychological Factors which Optimise Performance.

5. A - Factors Affecting the Nature and Performance of Elite Performance

  B - Synoptic Assessment

6. Analysis and Critical Evaluation of Factors which Optimise Performance.