Be Active Be Sporty | Secondary School and Sixth Form

The Benton Park PE curriculum provides students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in competitive sport and continue to participate in recreational sport out of school and in to adult life. The curriculum also aims to develop knowledge related to understanding the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle supporting students to maintain this into adulthood. Our curriculum is underpinned by a very strong extra-curricular programme which gives students further opportunities to apply their skills in competitive sport, pathways to elite sport and to experience further recreational opportunities. As well as developing core skills and tactical awareness through various sporting activities, our curriculum also develops educational qualities such as leadership, teamwork and communication skills through sports leadership opportunities which are embedded throughout the years and disciplines. Character, morals, aesthetic appreciation and problem solving skills are also developed through this aspirational curriculum. We provide a platform for children of all abilities to thrive in physical educational irrespective of their physical literacy and sporting capabilities. We therefore see our physical education curriculum as a medium to develop and educate the ‘Whole Child’. Structured and developmental progression models provide for challenge, progression and a sense of achievement. This understanding prepares our students to make positive health related decisions in the future.

Key Stage 3

Core PE lessons place an emphasis on being physically active and participating in a variety of sports to build up physical ability. Students are taught, through the medium of practical sports, the importance of regular exercise and the enjoyment that this can bring as well as the advantages to one’s health and well-being. Students in KS3 are timetabled for 4 periods of Core PE per fortnight.

Key Stage 4

Core PE continues to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of sports in a more defined range of activities that students are able to select from a list in recognition of their increasing maturity and responsibility levels. KS4 students are timetabled 2 core PE periods per fortnight in which they are given the opportunity to develop their health and well-being by playing competitive and recreational sports.

Expectations

All students are made aware of the faculty’s expectations on PE kit at the start of each term and through displays around the department. Students will be issued with an equipment mark if they forget their kit/items of their kit.

1st kit mark – negative comment in planner
2nd kit mark – private detention with the teacher during the school day
3rd and successive kit marks – after school detention

Students are required to bring their kit when they are injured and failure to do so will result in an equipment mark. PE kit is required as students will still be expected to participate in PE lessons but in a non-physically active way such as officiating, coaching or being responsible for equipment. Being dressed in PE kit ensures that they are still engaged in their PE lesson.

Examination PE

These courses provide a deeper understanding of physical education and will open students’ eyes to the amazing world of sports performance. Not only will they have the chance to perform in their chosen sports through practical components of these courses but they will also develop wide ranging knowledge into the how and why of physical activity and sport.

GCSE PE comprises of a 60% weighted theory exam assessment, made up of two hours of assessment split over two examination papers. (2x 1 hour), taken at the end of the two year course. The practical part of the course is delivered via a 40% weighted non-exam assessment giving students the opportunity to apply the theory to their own sporting performance in three different sporting activities from an approved list of sports, as well as allowing them to analyse performance in their chosen sport.

Please be aware that it is essential that candidates are playing, coaching or officiating regularly for clubs outside of school, as the performance criteria for this unit demand a very high standard of performance.

Key Stage 5

A Level PE – The majority of lessons will be spent in the classroom exploring the theoretical side of the course which is worth 70% of the total qualification. Students will study; anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, skill acquisition, sport and society and contemporary issues in sport. While there may be some practical lessons it is expected that students are participating in their chosen sport outside of school to compliment their practical assessment. A log book, outlining, all training and games should be kept through the 2 year programme of study. The practical element of the course, worth 30% of the qualification, can be completed as either a coach or a performer in a sport from a list of approved activities. Evidence of regular competitive participation in a chosen sport is mandatory.

Cambridge National Sport & Physical Activity

This course sits alongside our A Level PE pathway in terms of the type of content covered. However, this vocational focused course offers a different way of learning. While the majority of units that students will work towards over the two year program are coursework base there are some external written exams. However, these can be re-sat and are not as long in terms of length as the A Level PE exams. Units involve a range of tasks from essays, reports and presentations. There is a large degree of practical work over the course but very heavily focused around the ability to identify and offer ways to improve. Performance analysis is based on coaching and officiating. There will also be the possibility of doing extra qualifications in coaching, officiating and leadership alongside the course.

Extra-Curricular in PE

Our aim is that all students leave our school having had a positive and enjoyable experience of the physical education program. This ethos is supported by our vast program of extra-curricular sporting activities that we aim to put on for students every day of the school week.

Please click here for details of the extra curricular PE program for 2021/22.