Why Choose Physical Education?

Studying Physical Education gives you a well-rounded education across the different sub-sections of the course.  The practical element allows you to increase the standard of your personal performance and the theory side increases your knowledge of psychological, physiological, biomechanical and contemporary aspects of sport.  You should be regularly performing or coaching in your chosen sport but also enjoy learning the theoretical aspects of the subject.

What will you learn?
Over the two years you will enhance your practical performance by participating in your chosen sport, either as a coach or as a performer and you will maintain a competitive log.  You will also be assessed in your ability to evaluate a performance of a peer in a competitive environment.

In terms of theory content, you will develop a range of skills which will allow you to develop your answers across all aspects of the theoretical course.  The theory content has three units and is examined in three separate papers.  Paper 1 focusses on Physiology and is the most scientific paper.  Students learn in the different fields of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and exercise science.  Paper 2 looks at Sports Psychology and looks into detail of the importance of the mind on performance in sport.  Paper 3 develops students understanding of Contemporary Issues in Sport and looks closely at aspects impacting the world of sport such as the media, drugs and equality in sport.

Why study Physical Education at Ashmole Sixth Form?
The PE department have a range of sporting expertise across the department and are therefore in a strong position to help enhance the performance of all students in their selected sport of choice.  Students are given a one-to-one session to help them develop their evaluative talk and rehearsals are also put in place to help develop student responses.

The theory scheme of work is structured in a way in which helps develop and nurture the skills needed to be successful in the subject.  Staff take time to build up student’s skill-set so that they are able to successfully answer longer questions and analyse and evaluate scientific concepts. Additional sessions run for students who need additional support across any part of the theory content. Students also have an opportunity to speak to the teachers and who can provide advice and guidance on their projects.

The theory content builds up students’ ability to complete independent research, to develop their presentation and communication skills and to evaluate and analyse each other’s work.  Theory teaching is often linked with practical sessions to help enhance student understanding.  There are also a range of library resources and text books available on loan to students during their two-year programme of study.

Which subjects go well with Physical Education?
Most subjects go well with Physical Education however the following subjects are particularly useful; Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Mathematics & Physics.

Where it will lead you?
There are a vast number of employment opportunities in Sport which go much further than just the study of Sport Science. These include, Sports Medicine, Physiotherapy, Sports Design, Marketing, Journalism and the Media, Coaching, Teaching and many more.
 

For more information on subject content structure please click here for the Sixth Form Information Booklet.

For admissions criteria for each subject please click here for the Sixth Form Prospectus
 

Subject Ambassador

"My curiously in Anatomy and Physiology coupled with the exciting branch of Sports Psychology is what drove me into picking PE as an A- Level. The specification gives you the opportunity to explore and develop knowledge on a wide range of subjects including Biology, Psychology and Physics with topics as well as History that looks into Socio- Cultural factors that affect sport in pre/post- Industrial Britain and the 21st Century.

For many subjects, students that have talents are never recognised and the opportunity to show this talent is diminished. What is fantastic about PE is that it allows you to utilise your sporting talents and achievements by sending in video evidence from your chosen sport, which will contribute to your final grade. This really allows students to demonstrate incredible talent and achieve fantastic marks just by playing the sport that they love which very little subjects are able to do.

As we are approaching the end of the 2-year course, I have been enriched with vast amounts of knowledge and information. We have explored so many different areas such as physiological mechanisms that allows our body to undergo complex biological changes that we subconsciously carry out every day, to understanding the psychological theories that try helping explain the attitude, thought and emotion of the human mind. I was particularly interested in the Biomechanics Module when looking at Flight Paths of Projectiles and Angular Momentum. Being able to understand the theory, apply it and see it happen in real life not only reinforces your knowledge but also elevates your interest.

In the department, I take the role of PE Ambassador. As an ambassador, I represent the PE Department and help with events such as the Sixth Form Evening or Secondary Transfer, explaining to younger students the overall outline of the course and showing examples of our best work. After my A-Levels, I plan to study Anatomy and Human Biology at a Russell Group University.

I think that choosing PE, as an A-Level is not only interesting and enjoyable but it also provides you with information that you can incorporate into all your other subjects. It is one of the few subjects that allow theory to be applied into a practical situation and offers you the opportunity to express individual talents. However, what really makes PE special is that we are all a small family. We help and motivate each other in and out of class and all strive to reach our best potential."

To hear from our former students click here