The overall objective of the Department of Physical Education is
to ensure that each and every boy leaves the school with and
understanding of the role of physical activity in leading an active
and healthy lifestyle. As a department, we are proud of the healthy
lifestyles that the boys lead at Merchiston and hours that
they dedicate to Physical activity. Practical lessons provide the
basis of our teaching lessons and the boys follow a structured
curriculum through all the years up to the end of fifth form. The
PE staff are well qualified and enthusiastic and work hard to
create a challenging environment to ensure all pupils are
stretched. The staff aim:
1 To maintain
and/or stimulate pupil interest and enjoyment in PE and to promote
health and fitness for current and future lifestyles.
2a) To enable pupils
to be familiar with a body of knowledge, principles and vocabulary
related to PE.
2b) To enable pupils to see PE as:
- a major feature in our lives related to leisure, employment and
culture.
- part of a wider body of knowledge and skills, e.g.
interpersonal and problem solving skills
2c) To enable pupils to understand:
- and use safe practice and to appreciate its importance in
PE;
- the short and long term effects of exercise on the body;
- the role of exercise in a fit and healthy lifestyle.
3 To enable
pupils to work independently and as part of a team in varied
activities, so as PE contributes to the development of core skills
such as communication by speech.
4 To
employ teaching methods and resources that allows all pupils to
have equal access to PE, and to experience success and enjoyment in
their PE work.
5a)
To develop an awareness in pupils of the implications of sport and
physical activity (past and present) for the individual and the
local, national and international communities.
5b)
To allow pupils to develop informed opinions and to be able to
support them by reasonable arguments
All year groups up to and including V Form receive at least one
lesson of PE and one of swimming per timetable cycle. The subject
may be chosen as an option at GCSE and for AS and A2 level in the
Sixth Form.
J4/J5: During the
year, the following are covered: Cross Country, Short
Tennis, Core Skills, Attack and
Defence, Rounders
Rugby, Cricket, Football, Athletics, ASA Water
Skills Stroke Development , Water Polo.
I - III Forms: Health-related exercise,
baksetball, fitness tests, core skills, gymnastics, short tennis,
rounders.
Swimming: Stroke development of Front Crawl, Breaststroke,
Backstroke and Butterfly.
IV Form: Badminton, Basketball, Fitness
tests, Fitness Training, Handball, Hockey, Softball, Tennis,
Volleyball.
Swimming: the strokes are developed through the 'Swim Fitness'
programme written by Nick Gillingham MBE. In addition, water
skills, survival swimming, life saving, and water polo will be
taught.
Shell & V Forms GCSE: activities at various
stages covered include: football, basketball, hockey,
judo, lacrosse, netball, rugby league, rugby union, water polo,
badminton, Eton Fives, handball, racketball, squash, table tennis,
tennis, volleyball, cricket, golf, rounders,
softball.
VI Form:
AS level: Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology,
Acquiring Movement Skills, and Socio-Cultural Studies relating to
participation in physical activity. This unit is assessed in one
examination lasting two hours.
Unit 2: you will be assessed in two sports. You may be assessed in
two sports from different activity profiles, evaluating and
planning for the improvement in your performance, or alternatively
you may adopt the role of a coach or an official in one of your
activities.
A2 level:Unit 3: sociocultural options (including Historical and
Comparative Studies) and scientific options (which includes Sports
Psychology, Biomechanics and Exercise, and Sport Physiology.)
Unit 4: You will be assessed in one activity from the
selection of activity profiles. This must be one of the activities
that you were assessed in for unit 2 at AS level. You may perform,
coach, or officiate in their chosen activity and must be able to
evaluate, appreciate, and improve your
performance
