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A2 Examination Results

Grade 2018 2017
A* 2 3
A 1 1
B 4 4
C 8 3
D 1 0
E 0 0
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Physical EducationA Level

Physical Education (PE) is an interesting, varied and challenging course that explores the theoretical aspects that underpin sports performance. A highly regarded course at universities which gives students the opportunity to gain an insight into the minds and bodies of all types of athlete.

Physical Education covers a wide range of topics in which a variety of skills are developed, from teamwork, to performance analysis, to psychological reasoning and debate. The course provides access to a wide variety of sport related courses including Sports Science, Sports Therapy, Sports Psychology, Physiotherapy and Education degrees.

  • I really enjoy A level PE as sport is a common interest of everyone, we get on very well in the class, creating a relaxed more enjoyable atmosphere than other lessons"
  • Top class teaching, very clear and enjoyable lessons, small class sizes so if you are troubled with content you can get the support you need"
  • Very supportive and personalised teaching with clear passion about their subject. This cannot help but rub off on us as students"
  • I would recommend PE at A level because the teachers are amazing, and the class sizes are small so you can get one to one support from the teachers if you are struggling or need help on something"

Course Content

Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport

Applied anatomy and physiology Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the changes within the body systems prior to exercise, during exercise of differing intensities and during recovery. Students should be able to interpret data and graphs relating to changes within the musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neuro-muscular systems and the use of energy systems during different types of physical activity and sport, and the recovery process.

Exercise physiology

Students should understand the adaptations to the body systems through training or lifestyle, and how these changes affect the efficiency of those systems.

Skill acquisition

This section focuses on how skill is acquired and the impact of psychological factors on performance. Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the principles required to optimise learning of new, and the development of existing, skills in a range of physical activities. Students should be able to understand and interpret graphical representations associated with skill acquisition theories.

Sport psychology

In this section students will develop knowledge and understanding of the role of sport psychology in optimising performance in physical activity and sport. Students should be able to understand and interpret graphical representations associated with sport psychology theories.

Sport and society

Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society. Students should be able to understand, interpret and analyse data and graphs relating to participation in physical activity and sport.

Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society and the technological developments in physical activity and sport.

Non-exam assessment (NEA): Practical performance in physical activity and sport

There are two aspects to the NEA: 1. performance assessment (practical performance in one sport) 2. performance analysis assessment (analysis and evaluation).

  1. Students are required to be assessed in one activity in the role of player/performer or coach. Students can be assessed only in activities identified in our specification, which are those stipulated in the Department for Education's (DfE) GCE AS and A-level activity list for physical education. Students are required to be assessed in the full context of their chosen activity and role. They will be assessed in three areas of assessment. Students will be assessed for all of the activities in the following skills:

    - Area of assessment 1: Technical quality – aspect 1 (15 marks).

    - Area of assessment 2: Technical quality – aspect 2 (15 marks).

    - Area of assessment 3: Application of strategic/tactical awareness (15 marks).

  2. Students are required to analyse and evaluate, using appropriate theoretical content included in the specification, a performance as either player/performer or coach, in one activity from the specification. Students can analyse and evaluate their own performance or the performance of another, as long as it is in an activity that is from the specification. Students will be assessed on their performance analysis assessment in the following two skills:

    - Analysis (20 marks)

    - Evaluation (25 marks).


Key Facts

  • Course Level A Level
  • Assessment Breakdown 70% assessed in 2 external exams at the end of the 2-year course. 30% NEA (15% practical performance in one sport and 15% written coursework).
  • Assessor OCR
  • Entry Requirements Minimum 5+ Levels 4-9. 6+ in Physical Education GCSE
  • Online Learning Materials Interactive courses on our VLE including forums and online assessment

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