KEY STAGE THREE (YEARS 7, 8 AND 9)

Pupils are taught in accordance with the National Curriculum requirements. You may view the National Curriculum document by clicking here.

Pupils follow national curriculum programmes of study and are taught to acquire and develop, select and apply, evaluate and improve and knowledge and understanding of fitness and health.

This is done through a variety of teaching methods and through numerous different activities throughout the different years, through both Physical Education and Games activities including Gymnastics, Dance, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Aerobics, Health Related Fitness, OAA, Rounders, Tennis, Athletics, Softball and Cricket.

Pupils are taught from set schemes of work and are then assessed in each activity at the end of a unit of work.

KEY STAGE FOUR (YEARS 10 AND 11)

Pupils opt for GCSE PE at the end of Year 9. Should they not opt for PE, 1 hour lesson per week is compulsory. During this time pupils cover 2 from the 6 areas of the National Curriculum which are games and athletic activities. Pupils are given the opportunity to visit Burscough Sports Centre and use the fitness equipment, squash and badminton.

GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The department achieves excellent results at GCSE.  In June 2010, 93% of students achieved A* - C grades.  This reflects a culmination of hard work from both students and staff and we are very proud of the student’s achievements.

GCSE Physical Education is a 2 year course which pupils start in Year 10. The GCSE full course has been running since 2007, comprising 60% practical based and 40% theory. All pupils on the GCSE course will be given the opportunity to complete nationally accredited leadership courses including:

Junior Sports Leaders Award, Junior Football Leaders, and the Young Netball Organisers Award.

The course is highly demanding and extremely popular. The examining board for GCSE PE is Edexcel.

Pupils are assessed in 4 separate activities from 2 separate activity areas. This assessment is culminated in a 2 day assessment moderation day. Pupils are encouraged to be regularly involved in sport outside of school in order to gain a good grade at GCSE. In order to help pupils with their 4 activities, the department run a residential weekend to Hothersall Lodge, Longridge. During this weekend pupils are given intense training in the areas of Orienteering and Kayaking and are assessed for their GCSE on the weekend.

The theory course covers topics such as health and fitness, training, the body (bones/muscles/joints/heart and lungs), diet, drugs in sport and basic first aid.

The pupils must also complete a piece of coursework (Personal Exercise Plan) which involves planning a 6 week training programme for their chosen sport.