Introduction
The OCR GCSE Physical Education course offers a comprehensive and dynamic study of sport, blending scientific theory with practical excellence. The curriculum is split into two theoretical components: Physical factors affecting performance, which explores applied anatomy, physiology and physical training, and Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology, which examines health, well-being, and the psychological factors that influence participation.
How is the course assessed?
Students will sit two, one hour exam papers (60%)
Beyond the classroom, the course is heavily weighted toward performance, with 40% of the final grade coming from practical sports. This includes:
• Practical Performances (30%)
Assessment in 3 different physical activities
(1 team, 1 individual, and 1 ‘free’ choice).
• Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (10%)
A written task where you analyse your own performance to create an effective action plan for improvement.
Course Content
GCSE Physical Education is taught over five periods a fortnight and involves theory and practical lessons.
Students will start to explore the effects of exercise, diet and methods of training on the human body. The course also covers sports psychology looking at movement skills, health, fitness and wellbeing. Pupils have already been introduced to some aspects of the course through homework sheets.
Pupils will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts which they learn in the classroom in a practical setting. This includes fitness testing, applying the principles of training, looking into methods of practice and types of training and recording performance-based data such as heart rate, stroke volume and recovery rates.
Core Physical Education – Everybody in Key Stage 4 receives 1 hour of physical education. This is used to facilitate the GCSE pupils in their sports, which are assessed. There is flexibility in the course whereby 1 lesson over the fortnight can be used for practical purposes nearer assessment time.
Essential Requirements
In order to participate fully in this course ALL pupils must be participating within school sports, lunch time practices and where possible out of school clubs due to being assessed within three different sports. Pupils also must have the correct KSGS PE kit.
Future Pathways
KSGS 6th form offer an A-Level in PE which builds on the content learnt from GCSE PE.
Careers in areas such as: teaching, coaching, sports science, physiotherapy, sports development, nursing, sports psychology, performance analysis and many more.