Physical Education

Short Course GCSE Physical Education

Taught in Enrichment time, this Short Course is the equivalent of half a GCSE qualification and explores health, training, exercise, physiology and movement analysis.

Why St Mary's

Enjoy access to exceptional specialist teaching support, as well as brand new state-of-the-art sporting facilities at Long Road and St Mary's Boathouse on the River Cam as you study this Short Course in GCSE Physical Education.

Short Course GCSEs open up additional options for you to extend your range of study. The qualification is comparable to half a full GCSE. This course will be taught during the Friday afternoon Enrichment time.

This course will enable you to improve your own sporting performance and to gain knowledge and skills to support others.

Our enriched learning opportunities include:

Course overview

This course covers the following topics:

  • Health, training, and exercise
  • Exercise physiology
  • Movement analysis

Component 1: Introduction to physical education

Component 2: The active participant in physical education

Assessment

Component 1: Introduction to physical education

  • Written examination: 1 hour (60% of total mark)

Component 2: The active participant in Physical Education

  • Non-exam assessment in which students are assessed in two different activities in the role of player/performer (40% of total mark)
At a glance
  • Taught in Enrichment time
  • Equivalent of half a GCSE
  • Access to exceptional facilities
  • 60% examination
  • 40% non-examined assessment

What our teachers say...

Teaching physical education has always been my dream job. I love to help students explore every aspect of sport and see them learn how it can help and affect their own performances. Learning the theory behind performing, organising and officiating sport can give students a greater insight into different aspects of the subject and sports that they love and enjoy doing.

"A champion is not defined by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fail." Serena Williams

Studying GCSE (Short Course) and A Level Physical Education opens up a path towards healthy living and personal achievement.

Not only does it help improve personal performance, it also introduces and develops the knowledge and skills needed to lead others in developing their own passion for sport.

Studying Physical Education in more depth, allows you to explore other avenues of sport. Sport and physical education are global entities and studying this subject at GCSE or A Level can open opportunities to careers in a variety of areas.

The world of sport consists of performers, coaches, teacher, physios, nutritionists, development officers and officials to name but a few careers paths that this subject opens up.

Degrees that can be studied at university include, Sport and Exercise Science, Sport and Physical Education, Sport Management, Sport Science, Coaching and Physical Education, Health and Exercise Science and Sport Development and Management.

Future careers include professional sportsperson, sports coach/consultant, education, physiotherapist, sports policy at a local and national level, diet and fitness instructor, and personal trainer.

Beyond St Mary's

Our Senior School students go on to pursue exciting futures.

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Our results

Achieve the results you need to fulfil your dreams.

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