A Level Physical Education

Sport and Physical Education provides a course of study that expands on many of the ideas and concepts already encountered during KS4 courses. It also provides a natural progression for candidates who have additionally studied GCSE Physical Education by extending their knowledge of skills, techniques and effective performance. Thus it provides a transition for those intending to study related courses in Higher Education and for others who do not wish to go on to further study, it provides a balanced, broad-based course, worthwhile in its own right.

The aims of the course of study are that by learning in, about and through a range of physical activities, candidates should be able to:

Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the factors which influence the quality of performance
Apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to a range of activities to improve performance
Develop an understanding of the socio-cultural, moral, global and contemporary factors in physical education, which affect participation in and provision for sport and physical activity.

 

In the AS modules of learning, candidates will be concerned with identifying the factors which affect the establishment and improvement of performance at the foundation level of participation.

Thus, the assessment objectives of Module 1 of this specification require candidates to develop an understanding of the physiological and psychological processes, which separately and together affect the human movements that underpin performance in physical activity. Candidates will need to engage in experiential learning so that they are able to apply underlying principles to be able to describe and evaluate movement and then plan strategies for improvement.

In Module 2 candidates will gain an understanding of how the social, cultural, moral and historical factors which influence participation in and provision for sport and physical activity affect performance.

Module 3 requires all candidates to plan, perform and evaluate an exercise training programme. It also provides, through further coursework, the opportunity for candidates to apply their knowledge and understanding in the evaluation and improvement of their own and others' performance. They can do this by demonstration and analysis of skills in structured practise conditions, or a written report.

 

The A2 modules of learning provide candidates with the opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge , skills and understanding gained at AS to enable them to identify the factors which lead to the optimisation of their own or others' performance.

The assessment objectives of Module 4 require a deeper understanding of the physiological and psychological processes studied at AS and their effects on the ability of performers to optimise their performance. It reinforces the interaction of the cognitive and the physiological as a necessary pre-requisite for elite performance.

In Module 5 candidates should be able to analyse, through physical education, the effects of Global Trends on participation. They should also be able to critically evaluate the socio-cultural and contemporary issues which influence trends of participation in sport in the UK, France and the USA. The unit, which assesses this module, will also include, as a separate section, some of the required synoptic assessment.

Module 6 provides candidates with the opportunity, through coursework, to evaluate their own or other's performance. Candidates will be required, through demonstration in a competition/ performance situation or by written report, to extend the application of their knowledge to identify the factors which promote optimisation of performance. This module of learning also requires candidates to undertake a written Synoptic Assignment. This piece of externally assessed coursework will enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of the principles and concepts of connections across areas of the subject.

 

AS EXAMINATION

 

 Unit 1  1½ hours  40% of AS
20% of A2		 Physiological and Psychological Factors which Improve Performance
 Unit 2  1¼ hours  30% of AS
15% of A2		 Socio-Cultural and Historical Effects on Participation in Physical Activity and their Influence on Performance
 Unit 3  Coursework  30% of AS
15% of A2		 Analysis and Evaluation of the Factor which Improve Performance by Planning, Performing and Evaluating a Training Programme (6%) and Practical Demonstration or Written Project Investigation (9%)

 

A2 EXAMINATION

 Unit 4  1½ hours  15% of A2 Physiological, Biomechanical and Psychological Factors which Optimise Performance
 Unit 5 1½ hours  17.5% of A2 Section A - Factors Affecting the Nature and Development of Elite Performance (7.5%) andSection B - Synoptic Assessment (10%)
 Unit 6  Coursework 17.5% of A2 Analysis and Critical Evaluation of Factors which Optimise Performance - Practical Demonstration of Skills or Written Project Investigation (7.5%+2.5% synoptic) and Synoptic Assignment (externally assessed - 7.5%)