Coordinator of learning – Mr A Pickett (andrew.pickett@sgla.latrust.org.uk)

Intent

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy’s Physical Education curriculum aims to provide all students with the opportunity to develop and engage in a wide range of sporting activities, as well as having a deep understanding of general health and fitness. Students will be able to identify with the cultural and ethical conduct in a diverse range of global sports.

A large group of Leigh Academy students can be seen dressed in their PE Kit, out of the academy grounds.

Physical Education is vital in developing students, not only physically and in their ability to perform effectively in sports, but within our curriculum we believe that students will leave Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy with the skills to work well in teams, as well as individually. They will also develop leadership and communications skills. Throughout their PE education students will learn how to train, how to lead healthy active lifestyles and importantly will master how to conduct themselves using good etiquette and sportsmanship in a wide range of global sports. We truly believe that physical education breaks down cultural barriers, providing students from all over the World of equality and will equip our students with an essential set of tools to progress in any field or industry.

A photo showing Leigh Academy students playing a game of Football together in the academy's Sports Hall.

Co curricular clubs, fixtures and trips

At Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy we pride ourselves on offering our students a wide range of after school activities including: football, netball, basketball, handball, cross country, rugby, fitness suite (gym), table tennis, trampolining, dance, cricket, athletics, softball and rounders. In addition we enter and organise many competitions and sporting events against other schools within our District, Leigh Academies Trust and Kent County.

During the past decade we have also given students the opportunity to travel outside of school on sports trips in the UK, Europe and Worldwide such as the following:

KS3: PE and the MYP

Physical Education students at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy follow the IB MYP programme throughout KS3 which involves assessments in planning, reflecting, practical performance and also formal theory assessments in MYP directed topics such as components of fitness, training types and diet and nutrition. Students develop a deep understanding of MYP key and global concepts that educate students beyond just a sports performer.

Throughout the 3 years students will also follow the below National Curriculum themes  whilst covering a wide range of sports:

  • Tactics and strategies
  • Developing skills and techniques 
  • Demonstrating personal improvement
  • Performing in aesthetically pleasing activities
  • Participating in problem solving activities

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Demonstrating personal improvement
  • Module 2: Performing in aesthetic activities
  • Module 3: Developing skills, techniques and roles (winter sports)
  • Module 4: Participate in problem solving activities
  • Module 5: Developing skills, techniques and roles (summer sports)
  • Module 6: Range of tactics and strategies

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Demonstrating personal improvement
  • Module 2: Performing in aesthetic activities
  • Module 3: Developing skills, techniques and roles (winter sports)
  • Module 4: Participate in problem solving activities
  • Module 5: Developing skills, techniques and roles (summer sports)
  • Module 6: Range of tactics and strategies

Year 9 additional PE – KS3 students that show a particular interest in physical education also have the opportunity to have an additional PE lesson each week where they develop their PE knowledge further and at a higher level in both a practical and theoretical setting.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Demonstrating personal improvement
  • Module 2: Performing in aesthetic activities
  • Module 3: Developing skills, techniques and roles (winter sports)
  • Module 4: Participate in problem solving activities
  • Module 5: Developing skills, techniques and roles (summer sports)
  • Module 6: Range of tactics and strategies

Practical sports covered across all classes during Year 9

Cross Country, football, handball, table tennis, athletics, softball or rounders, cricket, fitness suite, trampolining, dance, gymnastics, rugby, softball

Year 9 Additional Resources

Students will have access to a year 9 PE Google classroom, where IB MYP revision tasks may be set and important information will be shared, such as PE timetables and extra curricular club details. It will be important that students are regularly checking this classroom for updates.

Google classroom code: qahmau2

Physical Education – subject choice specialist option choice

If students decide to select PE as a specialist subject during Year 9, they will have an extra PE lesson per week where they will be taught the fundamentals of the GCSE PE and NCFE health and fitness courses. During the year they will have a mixture of practical and theory lessons (approximately 50% each) and will cover a range of topics.

Please see below the content that will be covered during Year 9 if PE is selected as an option:

  • Components of fitness
  • Fitness testing
  • Principles of training
  • Types of training
  • Preventing injury
  • Body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, skeletal)
  • Aerobic/anaerobic respiration
  • Muscular movements
  • Diet and nutrition

Additional Resources

KS4: GCSE PE

At KS4 we run the following 2 optional courses to suit our learners needs as well as compulsory core PE lesson for all students:

  • GCSE PE (AQA)
  • NCFE Health and Fitness

GCSE PE involves studying the below theoretical topics in preparation for 2 exams in year 11, which are usually sat in May. As well as the two exams (worth 60% overall), students are assessed practically across three sports (worth 30%). The remaining 10% is assessed through a coursework project where students analyse and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in a chosen sport.

GCSE theoretical topics:

  • Applied anatomy and physiology
  • Movement analysis
  • Physical training
  • Sport psychology
  • Socio-cultural influences
  • Health, fitness and well-being

Link to GCSE PE (AQA) website that contains the full specification and further information:

KS4: NCFE Level 2 Health and Fitess

At KS4 we run the following 2 optional courses to suit our learners needs as well as compulsory core PE lesson for all students:

  • GCSE PE (AQA)
  • NCFE Health and Fitness

The NCFE health and fitness level 2 course is made up of 2 components that students will be assessed on:

  • Written coursework project – 60% of overall grade
  • Exam paper: on the bullet pointed topics below – 40% of overall grade
    Please note that students will get 2 attempts at the exam, 1 in March in year 10 and a second, if needed in November during year 11 (the highest grade gained from either exam will count towards the overall grade).

Students are taught 3 lessons per week. The majority of lessons will be theory based in the lead up to the second exams and preparing for the coursework project that will start in January in year 11, although various topics such as components of fitness and fitness testing can be taught practically.

Please see below a summary of the exam topics covered:

  • Skeletal system
  • Muscular system
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Respiratory system
  • Effects of health and fitness activities on the body
  • Components of fitness
  • Principles of training

Link to the NCFE Health and Fitness website that contains the full specification and further information:

KS5: BTEC Sport

Intent

The Sport BTEC National qualification provides a broad basis of study for the sport sector. This qualification is designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

Students will study four units to provide them with the practical skills and theoretical principles that are essential for a successful future career in the Sporting sector. 

All units are set around a vocational context and are delivered through practical application in order to learn the theoretical concepts. 

Students are required to provide clear and accurate evidence of their learning for all units and are encouraged to use their own learning styles.

In the BTEC Sport National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, we are generally referring to skills in the following three main categories: 

  • cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology 
  • intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation 
  • interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development. 

There are also specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant,  for example, where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities. 

All BTEC Sport Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that prepare learners for progression to university. The transferable skills that universities value include: 

  • the ability to learn independently 
  • the ability to research actively and methodically 
  • being able to give presentations and being active group members. 

BTEC learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including:  

  • reading technical texts 
  • effective writing 
  • analytical skills 
  • creative development 
  • preparation for assessment methods used in degrees. 

In addition to the sport sector specific content outlined above, the requirements of the qualification will mean that learners develop the transferable and higher order skills that are valued by higher education providers and employers. Study of sport particularly encourages the development of skills and behaviours such as teamwork, leadership, performance analysis, resilience, evaluation, analysis and synthesising concepts. These skills are developed through the variety of approaches to teaching and learning enabled by the specification.

Schedule of Learning:

The BTEC Sport Level 3 course involves below 4 units of study. In Year 12 students will study:

  • Unit 1 – Anatomy and Physiology
    Unit 1 is assessed through a formal external examination in Module 5.
  • Unit 4 – Sports Leadership
    Unit 4 is assessed through a series of internal coursework projects throughout the year.

Exam Board Information

Intent

The Sport BTEC National qualification provides a broad basis of study for the sport sector. This qualification is designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

Students will study four units to provide them with the practical skills and theoretical principles that are essential for a successful future career in the Sporting sector. 

All units are set around a vocational context and are delivered through practical application in order to learn the theoretical concepts. 

Students are required to provide clear and accurate evidence of their learning for all units and are encouraged to use their own learning styles.

In the BTEC Sport National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills. Where employability skills are referred to in this specification, we are generally referring to skills in the following three main categories: 

  • cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology 
  • intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation 
  • interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development. 

There are also specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant,  for example, where learners are required to undertake real or simulated activities. 

All BTEC Sport Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that prepare learners for progression to university. The transferable skills that universities value include: 

  • the ability to learn independently 
  • the ability to research actively and methodically 
  • being able to give presentations and being active group members. 

BTEC learners can also benefit from opportunities for deep learning where they are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC Nationals provide a vocational context in which learners can develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including:  

  • reading technical texts 
  • effective writing 
  • analytical skills 
  • creative development 
  • preparation for assessment methods used in degrees. 

In addition to the sport sector specific content outlined above, the requirements of the qualification will mean that learners develop the transferable and higher order skills that are valued by higher education providers and employers. Study of sport particularly encourages the development of skills and behaviours such as teamwork, leadership, performance analysis, resilience, evaluation, analysis and synthesising concepts. These skills are developed through the variety of approaches to teaching and learning enabled by the specification.

Schedule of Learning:

The BTEC Sport Level 3 course involves below 4 units of study. In Year 13 students will study:

  • Unit 2 – Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being
    Unit 2 is assessed through a formal external examination in Module 3.
  • Unit 3 – Professional Development in the Sports Industry
    Unit 3 is assessed through a series of internal coursework projects throughout the year.

Exam Board Information