Physical Education and Games

Departmental approach to the curriculum

The Physical Education and Games department aims to provide students with a broad range of activities to promote a love of physical activity and sport. 

We educate students to understand how their body works, the importance of leading healthy and active lifestyles and aim for sustained periods of physical activity in every lesson. We offer a range of sports each year, promoting fair play, resilience and positive relationships. 

Our aim is to support and inspire students to live healthy and active lives, both in school and beyond, through our curriculum and range of extra-curricular opportunities.

The PE Department is an award winning department; we proudly won the Hertfordshire Service to Sport PE Department of the Year for three years, and we also hold the Gold School Games Mark

We offer a variety of extra curricular clubs to complement our curriculum provision. There are opportunities for both recreational and competitive clubs before school, at lunchtimes and after school. We enter into District, County and National competitions for a range of sports and fixtures take place during the week and at weekends. 

The department facilitates a range of school journeys and trips, including:

  • Football tour
  • Rugby Tour
  • Annual Ski Trip
  • Netball Tour 

Physical education is essential for developing a student's physical and mental well being. In PE students learn how to look after their body and mind as well as learning how to work as a team to overcome challenges. At Rickmansworth, the students are given the opportunity to use state of the art facilities, including:

  • Sports Hall
  • Fitness suite
  • MUGA
  • Swimming Pool  
  • Fields 

These facilities allow students to take part in a wide variety of activities and develop a thirst and a life long association with physical activity. 

Students will have the opportunity to choose PE as an option subject at GCSE and A Level where they will study the OCR syllabus. Please see separate pages below for more information on the GCSE and A Level courses.


 

Year 7

Students are taught in single sex classes which are streamed by ability, to ensure that the curriculum is accessible and enjoyable for all our students. This allows students to learn in a positive and appropriate environment to nurture both their level of skill and confidence. The P.E curriculum focuses on developing the Ricky Learner and allows for all students in lessons to:

. Develop skills in physical activity

. Make and apply decisions

. Develop physical and mental capacity

. Evaluate and improve

. Make informal choices about healthy, active lifestyles

The P.E department run an extensive House Sports programme covering 16 sports throughout the year. All students will represent their house in a competition at the end of every half term during lessons.

Activites: (Please see detailed breakdown of activity rotation in long term overview) Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Fitness, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Handball, Softball and Volleyball.

Year 8

Students are taught in single sex classes which are streamed by ability, to ensure that the curriculum is accessible and enjoyable for all our students. This allows students to learn in a positive and appropriate environment to nurture both their level of skill and confidence. The P.E curriculum focuses on developing the Ricky Learner and allows for all students in lessons to:

. Develop skills in physical activity

. Make and apply decisions

. Develop physical and mental capacity

. Evaluate and improve

. Make informal choices about healthy, active lifestyles

 

The P.E department run an extensive House Sports programme covering 16 sports throughout the year. All students will represent their house in a competition at the end of every half term during lessons.

Activites: (Please see detailed breakdown of activity rotation in long term overview) Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Fitness, Gymnastics/Trampolining, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Handball, Softball and Volleyball.

Year 9

Students are taught in single sex classes which are streamed by ability, to ensure that the curriculum is accessible and enjoyable for all our students. This allows students to learn in a positive and appropriate environment to nurture both their level of skill and confidence. The P.E curriculum focuses on developing the Ricky Learner and allows for all students in lessons to:

. Develop skills in physical activity

. Make and apply decisions

. Develop physical and mental capacity

. Evaluate and improve

. Make informal choices about healthy, active lifestyles

 

The P.E department run an extensive House Sports programme covering 16 sports throughout the year. All students will represent their house in a competition at the end of every half term during lessons.

Activites: (Please see detailed breakdown of activity rotation in long term overview) Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Fitness, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Handball, Softball and Volleyball.

 

Year 10 and 11

The OCR GCSE PE Syllabus is broken down into 2 written exam papers which are all taken in Year 11, these papers make up 60% of the students final grade. The students are assessed in three practical activities worth 30% and one analysis of performance task (AEP) worth 10%. The students will have 5 periods of GCSE PE over a two week time table.

 

Year 10 

Applied anatomy and physiology 

Physical training 

 

Year 11 

Socio-cultural influences 

Sports psychology

Health, fitness and well-being

AEP

Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance (30% weighting)

Component 01, Physical factors affecting performance, introduces and explores some of the physical factors which underpin participation and performance in physical activities and sports.  

Students will start to explore the ways in which parts of the human body work and function during physical activity and the physiological adaptations that can occur due to diet and training.  Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of the principles of training, why we train in different ways and how training plans can be made to optimise results.

The study of these topics will aid students in the development of both their own practical performance and that of others.

There are two topics:

  • Applied anatomy and physiology 

  • Physical training

 

Component 02: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology  (30% weighting)

In Component 02, Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology, students will develop their knowledge of socio-cultural influences that impact on participation and performance in physical activities and sports.  Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of how sport impacts on society. Engagement patterns of different social groups will be understood by students, along with strategies to promote participation with practical examples.  The commercialisation of physical activities and sports will be understood, including the influences of sponsorship and the media. Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of ethical and socio-cultural issues in physical activities and sports.

There are three topics:

  • Socio-cultural influences 

  • Sports psychology

  • Health, fitness and well-being

Year 12 and 13

The OCR A-Level PE Syllabus is broken down into 3 exam papers which are all taken in Year 13, these papers make up 70% of the students final grade. The students are assessed in one practical Sport worth 15% and one analysis of performance (EAPI) worth 15%. The students will have 9 periods of P.E over a two week time table  

 

Year 12

Anatomy and Physiology

Biomechanics 

Skill Acquisition

Contemporary studies 

 

Year 13

 Exercise Physiology

Psychology

Sport and Society 

EAPI 

Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance (30% weighting)

Students gain a deeper understanding of key systems in the body and how they react to changes in diet and exercise. They also study the effects of force and motion on the body and how they can be used to our advantage.

There are three topics:

  • Applied anatomy and physiology

  • Exercise physiology

  • Biomechanics.

Component 02: Psychological factors affecting performance (20% weighting)

Students study the models and theories that affect learning and performance in physical activities, how different methods of training and feedback work and why their effectiveness differs from person to person. They also explore the psychological factors that affect group dynamics and the effects of leadership and stress.

There are two topics:

  • Skill acquisition

  • Sports psychology.

Component 03: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport (20% weighting)

This component focuses on the social and cultural factors that have shaped sports over time, and their influences on physical activity. Students consider the impact of hosting a global sporting event such as the Olympic Games, and the influence of modern technology on both the performer and the spectator of contemporary sport.

There are two topics:

  • Sport and society

  • Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport.

Component 04: Performance in physical education (30% weighting) 

Students are assessed in the role of either performer or coach in one practical activity. They are required to demonstrate effective performance, the use of tactics or techniques and the ability to observe the rules and conventions under applied conditions.

Students are also assessed in the Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI). They observe a live or recorded performance by a peer and provide an oral analysis and critical evaluation of their peer’s performance.









 

Studying OCR A Level Physical Education will equip learners with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical education. This requires students to:

  • develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance

  • understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance

  • understand the key socio-cultural factors that influence people’s involvement in physical activity and sport

  • understand the role of technology in physical activity and sport

  • refine their ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas

  • develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance

  • understand the contribution which physical activity makes to health and fitness

  • improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds.

Long Term Curriculum Overviews

'The Big Picture' Curriculum Map

'The Big Picture' Curriculum Map

This document will provide a visual overview of the department's curriculum from Key Stages 3 to 5. This is in a student-friendly format to support them in their understanding the of the department's curriculum. 

Big Picture Curriculum Map - Physical Education

Assessment

Department Assessment Matrix

This document will provide an overview for assessment for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

Assessment-Matrix-Physical-Education-Games.pdf

Key Stage 3 Judgement Descriptors

These documents will give you an overview of the criteria for Emerging, Developing, Secure and Mastery judgements at KS3 for this subject.KS3 Judgement Descriptors - Games - Year 7

KS3 Judgement Descriptors - Games - Year 8

KS3 Judgement Descriptors - Year 9

Home Learning

At Key Stage 3, students use home learning time for preparation and consolidation of their learning and further their knowledge and understanding. This may be to attend an extra-curricular club, either recreationally or competitively, and ensure that they are aware of sport-specific rules and techniques, which are then applied in curriculum time. 

This is to be applied and assessed via reflection opportunities and questioning during lessons, as well as ensuring that students are able to take an active role in lessons. 

The frequency of home learning will increase at Key Stage 4 and 5 and represent work for students’ examined assessments. 

This will include lesson consolidation tasks, examination style questions and group work to cover all aspects of the course and successfully prepare students for their trial examination period(s) and formal examinations.

How can you help your child succeed in physical education?

At KS5 we suggest students use the underpinning course questions and REVISION GOLD as their source of revision. These can be found on the website.

REVISION GOLD STEPS

  1. Read and RAG what you know about the area (be honest…)

  2. Complete the revision section (in book) and consolidate notes onto revision cards

  3. Attempt REVIEW COURSE QUESTIONS and MARK with revision guide

  4. Attempt all REVISION GOLD questions… MARK QUESTIONS… and attempt again

  5. Purple pen the correct answers in and place exam paper with revision notes in your folder.

Helpful websites and further information

PE Timetable

P.E Kit list

Careers in Physical Education

PhysicalEducationPostercopy

 

Physical Education UK poster