The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College
GCSE Physical Education
GCSE Physical Education has been a very popular course for the last few years for those seeking
an academic PE option. It leads naturally into A Level Physical Education and other A Level
courses.
The course is broken down into three areas:
Practical Performance: 30%
Written Project: 10%
Two 1 hour 15 minute theory exams worth 60%:
- One on the Human Body
- One on Socio-Cultural Influences
Students will have five extra PE sessions per fortnight if they decide to opt for GCSE PE, at least
three of which will be classroom based theory lessons.
In the theory lessons, students will study the following topics:
Applied anatomy and physiology; Cardio respiratory system; Anaerobic and aerobic exercise; Short
and long term effects of exercise on the body; Movement analysis; Planes and axes of movement;
Physical training; Use of data; Socio-cultural influences; Sports psychology; Health, fitness and well
being.
Homework and extra preparation for progress tests are an integral, and expected part of the course.
Student’s knowledge of these topics will be tested in two final exams at the end of Year 11. Both
exams include: multiple choice, short answer questions and longer answer questions.
Students will also complete a written piece of project work looking at improving their own, or
someone else’s performance. This makes up 10% of the practical grade.
Students who enjoy Science, PE and sport, are willing to learn new activities and techniques both in
the classroom and in practical settings, and have a good understanding of biology and other theory
areas, then this is the course for them.
Realistically, a working at level grade of 3 or above in English and level grade of 3 or above in
Science is required to cope with the theory demands of the course.
Also, it is expected that students would be playing sports for the school and for clubs in their own
time to gain the necessary practical standard required.
The course will lead naturally into A Level PE; other related A levels and a stepping stone to degree
level courses in Sports Science.
Contact Staff: Mr Payne or Miss Webb
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