Physical Education / Sports Studies

Course summary

Have you ever wondered why some athletes thrive under pressure, whereas others perform poorly? Are you interested in the anatomy of the human body and how it can move in the complex way it does? Have you noticed the divide in media coverage for women’s sports compared to men’s, and wanted to understand why this exists? This subject tackles all of these thought-provoking questions as well as allowing you to learn outside of a classroom, putting into practice psychological theories, nutritional plans and analysis of your performance, in your chosen sport. This course will be taught over two years, with pupils sitting the AS examination in the second year of their sixth form. The course provides a strong underpinning if you wish to study a Sports Science, Psychology or a Biological degree at university. Learners will also develop the transferable skills that are in demand by Higher Education and employers in all sectors of industry. Given the nature of Physical Education, opportunities outside the classroom are embedded into the course. There are some lessons which will also be taught in a practical setting. Whether this be going down to the sports hall to map out the movement of blood through the heart with cones, going into the dining room to make nutritional protein balls, or taking to the Astro to test your VO2 max. There are also several occasions where visiting expeditions are on offer, for example, the BodyWorks in central London and there are opportunities to attend organised lectures in school on topics such as nutrition and sports psychology. A successful student is firstly, passionate about sport and regularly involved in sport themselves. They just want to develop knowledge and understanding of the scientific factors that underpin performance in physical activity and sport and want to analyse, evaluate and improve their performance. They should have an interest in Biology, Physics and Psychology and be committed in their approach to reading around the subject area.