Physical Education
PE DEPARTMENT
Staff
The Department is made up of 7 members of staff who are experienced, specialist teachers. They teach a wide range of curriculum activities as well as being fully involved with our extensive extra-curricular programme.
Aims of the Department
The basic philosophy of the Department, in accordance with the National Curriculum is to encourage involvement in a wide range of activities through Key Stage three. The focus is on skill development and decision-making in years 7 and 8 with the emphasis changing to developing leadership skills in Year 9 in preparation for Key Stage Four. We offer the opportunity to specialise, acquire more complex skills and knowledge as well as develop leadership qualities in Key Stage four. Each individual component of the programme is designed to equip students with knowledge, skills and understanding enabling maximum enjoyment during participation.
GCSE PE offers opportunity for students to extend their theoretical knowledge, their skills and their ability to evaluate and improve. Students select four practical activities and follow a compulsory theory programme consisting of the study of the main body systems, factors affecting performance, and fitness and safety in sport.
In addition to ensuring that Physical Education is accessible to all pupils through lessons and Inter-form competition, the Department endeavours to maximise the possibilities of pupils achieving at their full potential. We present opportunities to receive expert coaching within school and direct pupils to outside agencies where the appropriate level of expertise is available. Indeed we are very proud of our extra-curricular clubs and our strong formal links with a large number of community clubs and coaches.
Links with the community (including feeder Primary Schools, Sixth Form Colleges, Clubs and Sport Centres) have been enhanced through the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme. We greatly value the opportunity afforded us to work with our partner schools and colleges to support colleagues and develop greater curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for all pupils in our family schools.
During Physical Education lessons various teaching styles are adopted (see individual Schemes of Work) to give variety and to suit the needs of individual learners. However, the maxim that pupils should feel involved in the process of learning is the one that prevails. Consequently opportunities are given for the pupils to solve problems they encounter through planning, evaluating initial attempts and making subsequent modifications in an atmosphere and environment conducive to enjoyable, safe activity. Knowledge and understanding are thus generally demonstrated through performance.
Great emphasis is placed on physical performance during lessons as this is the essence of the subject. However permeating our work, there is the desire to foster in pupils
- the ability to co-operate and communicate effectively when under perceived pressure,
- to be familiar and at ease with both success and failure
- to develop the capacity to appreciate the abilities and limitations of self and others
- to develop a respect for the conventions of sportsmanship and 'fair play'
- to develop leadership skills
Facilities
We have numerous facilities including::
- 3rd Generation Rubber Crumb Synthetic Pitch;
- Sports Hall;
- Gymnasium;
- School playing fields;
- Tennis/netball courts;
- Multi-gym/fitness room;
- Teaching Classroom
