PHYSICAL EDUCATION AS / A LEVEL
A Level Physical Education is an exciting, practically based course, developed to provide continuity with GCSE Physical Education. The course incorporates options for students to progress down two of three routes at AS: performance, officiating, or leadership (coaching)), and to specialise down one of these routes at A2.
Are there any special requirements?
No! The most important prerequisites are a positive and a genuine interest in sport.
What and how will I be studying?
AS – Year 1
You will study the following two units at AS
Unit 1: Participation in Sport and Recreation (externally assessed)
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Healthy and active lifestyles, Competitive Sport
Unit 2: The Critical Sports Performer (internally assessed)
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Independent research, Development of the student as Performer/ Leader/Official
A2 – Year 2
You will study the following 2 units at A2
Unit 3: Preparation for optimum sports performance (externally assessed)
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Study of the short/long term physiological and psychological preparation of elite athletes
Unit 4: The developing sports performer
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Students specialise down one of their two routes chosen at AS (performer/official/leader)
What skills will I need and be developing during the course?
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You will develop practical skills as a performer, leader and/or official in a chosen sport
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You will develop a ‘time plan’ of potential opportunities in physical activity through school, college, university, club, and veterans level.
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You will develop your knowledge and understanding of physical education and enhance your ability to analyse and evaluate key issues.
How is the Course assessed?
AS – Year 1
In the first year students will complete one 1.5 hour examination paper worth 50% of the AS. The remaining 50% is coursework made up of the following elements:
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Participation in two personal roles from a choice of three (performer, leader, official) 30 marks
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Local study into the provision of one sport in all three roles. 15 marks
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National study into the provision at elite levels in at least one of their chosen roles. 15 marks
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Performance analysis in one of student’s selected practical performances. 30 marks
A2 – Year 2
In the second year students complete a two hour examination worth 50% of the A2. The remaining 50% is coursework, made up of the following elements:
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Development Plan for one of the roles chosen at AS (performer, leader, official). 45 marks
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International Study in their main sport. A look at mass participation and elite provision in another country. 15 marks
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Progressive Participation. Provides further routes for a student to undertake continued participation in their chosen role. 20 marks
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Life Plan. Requires students to write a ‘life plan’, the development of which requires independent research into opportunities for continued participation in physical activity. 10 marks
What career opportunities are there?
A level Physical Education leads to a range of higher education courses in sport science, biomedical science, physical education and leisure management.
A level Physical Education is welcomed by physiotherapy schools, nursing and dietetics courses and as a national curriculum subject for teaching. Many students currently choose Physical Education Studies who are hoping to progress on to careers in the armed forces and uniformed services.
Posts in leisure management are increasingly looking for A level applicants to recruit onto their own in house training programmes and A level Physical Education Studies students have secured posts with many of the big local employers.
…and what else?
A Level Physical Education Students play an active role in the college’s representative and recreational sports programme and have received district, county and national honours.
The Department organises ski courses and exchanges with students from Europe. Trips are also arranged to major sporting venues and sports departments of universities.