Physical Education

In KS3 students will also begin to develop an understanding of what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others work

The KS4 qualification course offers students the chance to start a journey into sport. The qualification prepares them for future pathways into sport and progression to further study beyond Level 2/GCSE.

The KS4 core curriculum provides students with an insight into lifelong participation, as well as highlighting the importance of healthy lifestyles. It also provides an opportunity for students to practise and gain more independence on the skills learnt within KS3 – Perform, Officiate and Lead.

Curriculum activities within PE are based on staff expertise, sports students are required to be successful in examination PE and sports that we know students enjoy through our extra-curricular programme.

Learning and Teaching is a key component of PE lessons at Alcester Academy with Modelling, Questioning, Practise and Challenge all being embedded.  Students are baselined in Year 7, with learning then being differentiated to student targets of performance throughout the remainder of KS3. Students will then revert to whole school targets for examination study within sport beginning in KS4.

Through maximising student participation in a broad and diverse curriculum and support for students within lessons, all students can access all areas of the PE curriculum.

Sports studied within the curriculum are split into ‘Winter’ and ‘Summer’ activities. Students study PE in 6 blocks throughout the academic year, with each scheme of learning lasting a half-term.

Students in Year 7-10 will have 2 hours of PE per week, with students in Year 11 studying 1 hour per week. These include individual and team sports which cover invasion games, racket sports, striking and fielding games, net /wall games and athletics.

Student performance is assessed across several key processes within KS3 as outlined in curriculum overview document. Students are also assessed in their role as an official and leader through the completion of practically assessed core tasks. Each year the content is more challenging and requires application of advanced skills towards the end of the key stage. These assessments build each year as students begin to adapt and refine their skills across a wide range of curriculum areas.

To achieve an accurate assessment of individual pupils we formatively assess at the end of each completed scheme of learning to ensure that whole school data and assessment has the holistic progress of our pupils at its heart across the whole curriculum. We assess throughout the scheme to monitor student progress in addition to a final assessment. Data is used to identify and document below and above par performance for pupil and teacher which, in turn, triggers a series of interventions.

The leadership and officiating skills students develop fully prepare them for their pathway into KS4 CORE as well as examination PE/Sport and their own involvement in sport beyond school. It helps students develop self-confidence, communication and independence in Sport whilst supporting student challenge and engagement within the subject beyond solely performance.

To assist in the creation of an enriching Physical Education programme, long term plans have been developed with the intention of giving the students experience of a number of different sports that cover the full range of National Curriculum requirements.

In lessons we aim to develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies, and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve them.

As a department we work hard to ensure each student has exposure to sport subject specific terminology and key terms. These are used not only to improve performance and understanding of skills and techniques but to allow students to perform effectively in the roles of both an official and a coach. Students are encouraged to use such terminology in the right context wherever possible. 

Students make significant progress in building upon skills learned within Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Students can perform a variety of roles within sport including Performer, Coach and Official and develop the confidence and ability to do so effectively.

The Examination courses offered helps students to progress their knowledge of PE and Sport and prepare them for further study within the subject area. Our current CAMNAT Sports Studies qualification allows students to continue onto Level 3 BTEC or A-Level PE courses and eventually specific degree qualifications for students wishing to pursue further study within Sport. Students may go onto university to study Sport Science, Sports Coaching, PE teaching or other Sport related courses.

Other students may go on to enjoy and participate in sport in their leisure time which could include them becoming officials and coaches as well as performers.

Year 8 Range & Content

Students in Year 8 are taught the same curriculum areas in Year 7, but with a particular focus on Developing the skills they have learned in a variety of activities under competitive pressure.

Students will be assessed on their ability to select and combine skills accurately in performance and to demonstrate leadership and officiating skills within larger groups of students.

Within Year 8 students will be assessed on Year 7 processes as well as their ability to make and apply decisions within performance. Students will be assessed Practically, as well as on their ability to Officiate and Lead within Sport.

Students in Year 8 complete home learning as per Alcester Academy rota policy.

Year 9 Range & Content

In Year 9 students follow a programme of study which allows them to begin to select and combine the skills they have learned in lower KS3 with a focus on learning advanced skills within sport.

A key process of the Year 9 curriculum is the students evaluating and improving not only their own performance, but the performance of their peers. Students also develop their independence in through performance, Officiating and Leadership.

In a range of sports and activities students will begin to develop confidence in leading warm-ups and skill-based sessions for larger groups of students.

Students in Year 9 complete home learning as per Alcester Academy rota policy.

KEY PROCESSES

We aim to ensure that all pupils:  

• Develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities. 
• Are physically active for sustained periods of time. 
• Engage in competitive sports and activities.
• Lead healthy, active lives. 

To achieve these aims we focus on the following essential skills and processes in P.E. that pupils need to learn to make progress. 

Accurate replication

Students should be able to:

• Accurately replicate basic skills. 
• Develop their ability to fine tune these skills to suit the environment in which they are engaged. 
• Understand that different sports demand different skill types.
• Adapt their skills to the needs of the activity. 

Developing physical and mental capacity

Students should be able to:

• Develop their physical strength, stamina, speed and flexibility to cope with the demands of different activities.
• Develop their mental determination and resilience to succeed. 

Developing skills/performances in Physical activity

Students should be able to:

• Refine and adapt skills and techniques.
• Develop the range of skills they use to improve the precision, control, and fluency of their techniques. 

Making and applying decisions

Students should be able to:

• Select and use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas effectively in different creative, competitive and challenge-type contexts. 
• Refine and adapt ideas and plans in response to changing circumstances. 
• Plan and implement what needs practicing to be more effective in performance. 
• Recognize hazards and make decisions about how to control any risks to themselves and others. 

Making informed choices about healthy, active lifestyles

Students should be able to:

• Identify the types of activity they are suited to. 
• Identify the types of role they would like to take on. 
• Make choices about their involvement in healthy physical activity. 

Evaluating and improving

Students should be able to:

• Reflect and analyse performances, identifying strengths and weaknesses. 
• Make decisions about what to do to improve their performance and the Performance of others and act on these decisions in future performances. 
• Be clear about what they want to achieve in their own work and what they have actually achieved. 

Each of the above elements is weaved into an extensive Key Stage 3 curriculum. Throughout the Key Stage, students will be given the opportunity to experience a breadth of sports including Rugby, Football, Netball, Hockey, Badminton, Basketball, Dance, Gymnastics, Fitness, Table Tennis, Cricket, Rounders, OAA activities, Volleyball, Tennis and Athletics.

The range, breath of our curriculum is designed to ensure that we immerse students into a comprehensive diet of physical activities and sport, in the hope that we engage, excite and excel our students within the subject.

As a result, many of our Key Stage 3 students continue their studies into Key Stage 4 as part of the CAMNAT Sport Studies course.

Key Stage 4 CORE PE

The KS4 Core PE curriculum serves to reinforce the benefits of physical activity and school sport in the view to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills that are established in KS3 PE programme. We strive to empower students to develop a desire to lead an informed, active and healthy lifestyle not only at their time during school but for the years after they leave Alcester Academy. The department strives to cater for all students, providing a wide range of opportunities.

Key Stage 4 PE Range and Content

Within KS4 CORE PE students will have two lessons per week in year 10 and one lesson per week in Year 11.

During their hour PE lesson students are able to select an activity option which they have an interest in for a period of 1 half-term. Each half-term students will be presented with differing activities covering a range of Invasion, Net and Wall, Striking and Fielding, and individual sports throughout the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.

KS4 CORE PE lessons present students with the opportunity to tackle complex and demanding physical activities, whilst developing their fitness and developing an active, healthy lifestyle. Throughout the activities students will:

• Develop a range of tactics and strategies
• Develop the techniques of skills learned in KS3
• Evaluate performance
• Continue to take part in regular competitive sport outside of school

Students assessed on their Attitude to Learning within KS4 CORE PE.