PE A Level

Board: OCR

You will have achieved at least a grade 5 in GCSE PE, or a Merit in Sports Studies if you have taken either of those courses.

If you have an interest in the theory of sport, are keen to learn more of the wider issues related to sport and physical activity then you will enjoy the course. You must also have an interest in playing sport, ideally taking part on a regular basis.

After studying A Level Physical Education, you will be well placed to obtain employment in the sport and leisure sector. Alternatively, you could apply for a place at University. ALevel PE can be used to apply for a range of courses at university, including sport related such as Sports Science/Sports Coaching/PE Teaching. In the past students have also applied to courses such as Law, Accountancy and Physiotherapy using PE A Level.

You will study the following components:

Component 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance. 2 hr exam. 30% of the final grade. Includes: Bones, Muscles & Joints; Biomechanics; Levers; Cardiovascular System; Respiratory System; Exercise Physiology; Injury Prevention.

Component 2: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance. 1 hr exam. 20% of the final grade. Includes: Movement Skills; Information Processing; Memory; Motivation; Arousal; Personality. 

Component 3: Socio Cultural & Contemporary Issues. 1 hr exam. 20% of the final grade. Includes: Olympic Games; Violence in Sport; Sponsorship & the Media; Funding of Physical Activity; Commercialisation; Amateurism & Professionalism.

Component 4: Performance within Physical Education. 30%. In the practical aspect of the course, students will be assessed in their strongest practical activity (from the DfE published list). You will perform in the internal moderation, which will be at the end of January in Year 13. If you do an activity that cannot be observed in school, e.g. skiing, then you must submit video evidence of your performance to Mr Wing before Christmas in Year 13. It is strongly recommended that you are training and performing in your sport on a regular basis during both Year 12 & 13. In addition to your practical performance, you must conduct an Evaluation & Analysis of Performance task. This is where you comment on strengths and weaknesses of a sporting performance.

For more information about the course, please see Mr Wing