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S1/S2 Physical Education

Course Content

This course is based on National 5–14 Guidelines and is completely practical in nature, building on the skills introduced and developed in Primary Schools. Pupils in First and Second Year study PE for a single, 40-minute, period and for a double, 80-minute, period each week. Most activities in S1 and S2 run over 6 to 8 week blocks ensuring a good grounding in basic skills and the specific skills required for each sport. These activities include athletics, badminton, basketball, circuit training, cross-country running, dance, football, hockey, rugby and swimming.

It is important that pupils are appropriately dressed for these activities ensuring maximum participation and enjoyment.

Some of the sports offered during PE also run as extra-curricular activities at lunchtime, after school and at weekends. Pupils who wish to further develop their skills will be welcomed along to any of these sessions.

Teaching Aims

The aim of the course is to encourage young people to :-

• Develop a healthy lifestyle through taking part in various fitness activities
• Attain good standards in physical activity both working as an individual and as part of a team
• Develop a lifelong interest in sport and physical activities
• Encourage participation in extra-curricular activities

Therefore, the emphasis of the course is on participation and enjoyment.

Assessment

The assessment in PE conforms to 5 – 14 guidelines.
The following strands are assessed :-

Investigating and developing fitness
Applying skills
Co-operating, sharing, communicating and competing
Observing, reflecting, describing and responding
Creating and designing
Using the body

Homework

There will be no set homework in this course

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Standard Grade Physical Education

Course Content

The class will experience a broad repertoire of different physical activities. These consist of basketball, gymnastics, badminton, hockey, rugby, athletics, life saving and fitness. Each of these units will run for 10 weeks.

The content of the course will be delivered in 4 forty-minute periods per week and will include a carefully balanced mixture of theory and practical activity. The theory aspect is a considerable departure from the mainly practical course delivered in first and second year and will require each student to apply him/herself rigorously.

Assessment

(a) Unit Assessment
At the end of each 10-week unit (eg. Badminton) not only is the pupil’s practical performance assessed but they must also sit a written theory paper which tests the pupil's "Knowledge & Understanding" of the activity and, through video analysis, their “evaluating skills”. These assessments, plus the prelim in S4, determine the level at which the pupil will sit the final exam, ie. Foundation, General or Credit.

(b) Final Assessment
Pupils are awarded an overall practical grade, which is assessed internally and accounts for 50% of the final mark. The pupils also sit a final written exam in June, which is assessed and set externally. This accounts for the other 50% of the final award.

Teaching Methods

A large variety of teaching methods underpin the framework of the course. In conjunction with direct teaching, pupils will be actively involved in problem solving, peer assessment and working with others. This will require the pupil to adopt a number of different roles eg observer, helper, coach, participant or official.

Homework

Homework is set on a regular basis in order to reinforce the knowledge and understanding gained in each unit.

Further Information

All pupils should be well aware that this course is not for the faint hearted. It requires hard work and effort in all weathers. It is important that pupils realise that participation in all activities is crucial if they are to achieve their potential. Therefore weak swimmers and those with long-term injuries should think carefully before opting for this course

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S3/S4 Core Physical Education

Course Content

This course is completely practical in nature and builds on the skills introduced and developed in 1st and 2nd Year. The course runs for 2 periods per week and includes blocks of work in the following games/activities:

Rugby
Football
Swimming
Hockey
Fitness
Basketball
Dance
Softball
Athletics

Teaching Methods

The aim of this course is to encourage young people to participate in recreational activities and to develop skills and attitudes, which will give a lifelong commitment to sport and activities. Therefore, the emphasis is on participation and enjoyment. At certain times in the year pupils may be able to choose the activities they take and will be encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility and the ability to organise and referee sporting activities.

Assessment

Practical performance will be assessed in line with Standard Grade criteria on a scale of
1 – 6. Fitness levels are established using a range of standardised tests.

Homework

There will be no set homework in this course.

Further information is available from Mr Pearson or any other member of the PE staff.

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S5/S6 Core Skills Physical Education

This course is available to all pupils in S5 and as an option to pupils in S6. It operates for 2 periods per week which are timetabled during periods 7 and 8 on a Friday. The course offers a variety of options to pupils. There are two option periods - one from June to October and the second from October to Easter. In each of these option periods a number of choices are available to participants. The activities on offer are :-

Two other exciting options are also available on Friday, periods 7 & 8

Outdoor Education

Canoeing, Skiing, Orienteering, Sailing

The activities which take place in these options will depend on the choices made by the participants. For some of the outdoor education options, a greater time commitment may be required since the activities may not finish until 5 o'clock.

Other activities can be organised by demand and co-operation with the PE staff.

Last year the following activities were undertaken : curling, squash, judo, swimming, yoga, mountain biking, fitness centre(s) and boxercise.

Further information on Senior Games is available from Mr Pearson or other members of the PE Department.

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Higher / Intermediate 2 Physical Education

Higher Grade Physical Education offers pupils who have gained Credit level at Standard Grade,
an opportunity to study the subject in more depth.

The course has 4 key features :

Performance (50 marks)

In Performance the emphasis is placed on the demonstration and application of a minimum of 2 activities in demanding practical contexts.

Analysis of Performance (30 marks)

Analysis of Performance embodies those skills and abilities developed through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding and the process of evaluating at Standard Grade.

Investigation of Performance (20 marks)

Investigation of Performance is a 1500 word essay which requires pupils to complete an independent study of a specific feature or performance, which may arise from the pupil's personal performance or from contexts of performance seen elsewhere

Personal and Social Development

Although not assessed, this reflects social, moral and emotional dimensions of affective development, highlighted at Standard Grade.

The INTERMEDIATE 2 COURSE follows a similar format and content to the Higher Course but is appropriate for pupils who have gained a General 3 in Physical Education for Knowledge & Understanding.

Assessment

The assessment procedures for both Higher and Intermediate 2 courses follow the same format.

The Practical Performance marks are aggregated from the pupil's best two marks chosen from four different activities, which are specified by the PE Department. These marks are gained in a final performance scenario and externally moderated in March.

The Analysis of Performance is an essay type exam with a prelim in February and the final external exam in May. The exam consists of 4 sections (Structures & Strategies, Skills & techniques, Performance of the Body and Performance Appreciation).

The Investigation is a pupil centred task began in August and completed in late March. The 1500 words required will include Methodology, Discussion and Findings and Conclusion.

Homework

The biggest single difference between Standard Grade and Higher/Intermediate 2 Courses is in the frequency of homework and the type of written response expected.

Essay type questions will be given out every fortnight and will form part of the student's overall estimate marks.

This is not a course for the faint-hearted.
It will require a vast amount of initiative, independent study and research.
The time and column available to study Higher Grade Physical Education are not cast in tablets of stone.
Interested pupils should contact Mr Pearson and times may be able to be negotiated.

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Advanced Higher Physical Education

This course is aimed at pupils who have gained a good pass in the Higher exam

The course has the following key features and key concepts :

Appreciation of Action

Structures & Strategies

Skills & Techniques

Performance of the Body

Assessment

The assessment for the course is centred round :

Performance in one selected activity

Internal Learning Outcomes in an Investigation Project and also Perspectives in Physical Education

A Final Dissertation of 2,500 words, which is assessed externally

Homework

This course involves a vast amount of Investigation work in your own time (books, journals, etc) and small group tutorials, which the student must prepare for each session.

This is not a course for the faint-hearted.
It will require a vast amount of initiative, independent study and research.
The time and column available to study Advanced Higher Grade Physical Education are not cast in tablets of stone.
Interested pupils should contact Mr Pearson and times may be able to be negotiated.

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