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 VI Form.
J4/J5
During the year, the following are covered: Cross Country, Short Tennis, Core Skills, Attack and Defence, RoundersRugby, 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
The syllabus builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at Key Stages 2 and 3. The aims of the course are to: develop knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology; understand how training affects performance; explain how athletes respond psychologically to a range of situations and the methods available to enable positive responses; explore the wide range of social issues that affect both the performance and commercial sides of sport; develop and refine the skills necessary to analyse and improve performance; apply knowledge gained in the theory setting to maximise levels of performance in the practical setting.
Activities covered at various stages can include Badminton; Basketball; Cricket; Football; Handball; Hockey; Lacrosse; Netball; Rugby; Table Tennis; Tennis; Volleyball; Athletics; Badminton; Canoeing/Kayaking; Cycling; Dance; Equestrian; Golf; Gymnastics; Rock climbing; Skiing/Snowboarding; Squash and Swimming.
The final examination is a combination of theory and practical elements.
VI Form
A level
The course is a combination of theory and practical elements.
The Theory elements cover; anatomy; cardiovascular, pulmonary and respiratory function; energy systems and recovery from exercise; effects of altitude and heat on performance; diet and nutrition; methods of training to increase strength, aerobic capacity and flexibility; injury prevention and rehabilitation; levers, Newton’s Laws, angular/linear motion, fluid dynamics and projectile motion; analysis of movement through the use of technology; fluid dynamics; transfer of skills; principles, stages and theories of learning and the effect of guidance and feedback; memory; personality and attitudes; motivation, arousal, aggression and anxiety; leadership, groups and teams; methods of practice; goal setting; global sporting events and their impact on society; effect of drugs, violence and gambling; commercialisation and the media; modern technology in sport; the historical development of sport.
The Practical element includes the analysis of a live performance and assessed oral response in which pupils critically analyse the performance and plan the steps that could be used to improve it and technical accuracy, effective performance, and understanding of strategies and tactics in one practical activity
SQA Higher PE
The course enables candidates to: develop a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills, and demonstrate them safely and effectively across a range of challenging contexts; select and apply skills and make informed decisions to effectively perform in physical activities; analyse mental, emotional, social and physical factors that impact on performance; understand how skills, techniques and strategies combine to produce an effective performance; analyse and evaluate performance.
The course offers opportunities for personalisation and choice through the selection of physical activities.