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A-Level Physical Education

Examination Board: AQA

A-Level PE is an all-encompassing subject that links together many areas of study whilst focusing on sport. It has biology, physics, psychology and sociology all embedded within the course making it an rounded subject. All these areas are linked to sport - how our body functions in relation to sport and physical activity, which enables students to really understand how and why our body does what it does in everyday life.

This is perfect for those who really engage with physical activity because they learn and understand better as they can really relate what they are learning to their sports and also just basic everyday tasks.

A-Level PE is so broad in its topics that it can lead to many career options. Although those most notably related to PE would be: Physio, Sports Therapist, PE Teacher, Sports Scientist, Sports Medicine, Sports Technology, Material Sciences, Sports Marketing, Sports Business Management and much more.

Please note A Level PE is now widely regarded as a science at the vast majority of universities. 

 

Physical Education should equip students with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical education. The subject is assessed both theoretically and practically. 

Theoretical Assessments comprised of two written exam papers  

Paper 1 : Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport

Written Exam 2 hours - 35% of A level  

Section A : Applied anatomy and physiology

Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the changes within the body systems prior to exercise, during exercise of differing intensities and during recovery. Students should be able to interpret data and graphs relating to changes within the musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neuro-muscular systems and the use of energy systems during different types of physical activity and sport, and the recovery process.

Section B : Skill Acquisition

This section focuses on how skill is acquired and the impact of psychological factors on performance. Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the principles required to optimise learning of new, and the development of existing skills.

Section C : Sport and Society

Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society. Students should be able to understand, interpret and analyse data and graphs relating to participation in physical activity and sport.  

Paper 2 : Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport

Written exam: 2 hours - 35% of A level

 Section A :  Exercise physiology and biomechanics

Students should understand the adaptations to the body systems through training or lifestyle, and how these changes affect the efficiency of those systems. Students should have a knowledge and use of biomechanical definitions, equations, formulae and units of measurement and demonstrate the ability to plot, label and interpret biomechanical graphs and diagrams

Section B : Sport psychology

In this section students will develop knowledge and understanding of the role of sport psychology in optimising performance in physical activity and sport.

Section C : Sport and society and technology in sport

Students should develop knowledge and understanding of the interaction between, and the evolution of, sport and society and the technological developments in physical activity and sport. In this section, students should be able to select and justify their selection of technology for analysis of physical activity and sport/  

Practical Assessments

Practical performance in physical activity and sport either as a player or coach

Internal assessment, external moderation -  30% of A-level  

What's assessed

Students are required to either perform as a player or a coach in a fully competitive performance setting.

Students are also required to submit a written or verbal analysis of their performance.

Students assessed as a performer or coach in the full sided version of one activity plus: written/verbal analysis of performance.