Sport serves as an extension to the classroom; where pupils further develop teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, and grit.

KS3 Physical Education

At KS3 pupils participate in a wide variety of activities over the course of the year.  Below is an example of the sports covered each term.  Pupils in Year 7&8 have two games lessons a week and a further PE lesson.  In games, the major sports are covered each term, for both girls and boys.  In PE more individual sports are included in the curriculum, for example HRE and table tennis. In Yr9&10 the pupils have two lessons a week, one games lesson and one PE- with a similar spread of activities. We are currently looking to expand our curriculum for Year 9&10 with the addition of our new indoor facility to include both badminton and volleyball in 2019. In Yr11-13 again there are two lessons each week, which are compulsory for all, and follow a similar programme to below, with an opportunity to try out more individual activities eg use of the fitness suite, climbing, self defence and cycling, to mention a few- these are often decided upon with input from the pupils and can involve some extra minimal cost, to hire in specialist coaches/facilities where needed.

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
GIRLS Hockey, Tennis, HRE	GIRLS Netball Table Tennis Orienteering	GIRLS Rounders Athletics
BOYS Rugby Tennis HRE	BOYS Football Table Tennis Orienteering	BOYS Cricket Athletics

PE lessons help pupils to develop their basic skills in performance, but also how to apply tactics and strategies in preparation for games play.  Knowledge of the rules is also important and we foster this, not only through performance, but also in coaching of peers and umpiring / refereeing experience.  We field teams in all the major sports, at all age groups, resulting in a large fixture programme throughout the year.  We also enter, where appropriate, local leagues and area competitions.  Pupils are also recommended, where ability is considered high, to attend county trials and this success is celebrated on our school honours board.  Fixture results are announced in assembly and feature on the website.  At the end of each term individual successes are also remembered with awards.

Further to the PE curriculum, we also run an extensive programme of extra curricular activities.  The sports on offer will mirror those that are covered in games lesson for each age group.  Clubs are open to all abilities but also offer us the opportunity to develop skills further in preparation for fixtures.  We also offer some more recreational sports during this time.  The fitness suite is extremely popular and open every day of the week.  This helps to enforce the work we foster in lessons, encouraging all to understand the importance of a healthy, active, balanced lifestyle and preparing the pupils for life outside of the school environment, so they are confident for example to attend a gym or fitness class.  Dodgeball, bench ball and other fun team games are also popular but also offer more specialist sports such as clay shooting, horse riding and skiing. 

As pupils progress through KS3 we hope to foster the necessary skills to prepare them to embark upon an examination course if appropriate.  At KS4 we currently teach the OCR, GCSE PE course, taught by PE teachers with extensive experience of the subject. There are two theory lessons each week- but much of the theory is taught practically so we are not always in the classroom.  The GCSE PE course covers a wide variety of theory. This ranges from learning about the body, the muscles and bones, to the way our body changes when we exercise and how it adapts to cope with the demands of physical activity. It also looks at how we learn things, what a good performance is, how to be active and healthy, our diet, training and coaching. We also study ethical issues in sport, sports psychology, pathways into sport, participation rates, and why we get involved in physical activity.

We recommend that students who take GCSE PE also participate in at least of two of their chosen sports outside of school, at a club, to access the higher grades at GCSE. In total the pupils will be assessed in three activities, that must be included on the specification, either one individual and two team, or vice versa. The practical performance makes up for 40% of the final mark, alongside a written piece of coursework, which requires pupils to analyse and evaluate their performance.  There are two theoretical examinations, totalling 60%of the marks- these cover the topic areas mentioned above, applied anatomy and physiology and physical training, and socio-cultural influences, sports psychology, health fitness and well being.

We also offer, an A level course, and follow the AQA specification, at this level.  Again, the course offers a diverse range of topics for study, which loosely follow what is covered at GCSE.  In Yr12 pupils study anatomy and physiology, acquisition of skill and sport and society.  At Yr13 we cover exercise physiology and biomechanics, sports psychology and more sport and society, this time incorporating technology in sport.  At this level, pupils will also be assessed in one practical sport and are required to complete a piece of written coursework, again focussing on performance analysis.  The examination requires pupils to be able to apply the theories they have learnt to practical performances and then analyse and evaluate these with appropriate discussion.  There are two final examinations of two hours each, equating to 70% of the final mark. The practical and coursework, make up the other 30%. 

Other opportunities for pupils arise from the involvement in our Sports Leaders courses. Currently we run a Young Leader course, during activities, for Yr7 and 8 pupils.  At Level 2, we offer the Sports Leader qualification, in Yr12, and in Yr13, the Higher Sports leader award.  This award enables our students to gain a qualification for their involvement in the running of our own school events and provides links, at the higher level, to other schools and outside agencies. Pupils on these courses are required to complete a set amount of leadership, which can often complement any work that they may already be involved in for their PDP.  The course involves a theory lesson each week and the completion of an LER- learner evidence record.  We encourage all pupils to help out in clubs and events over the course of the year, regardless of whether they are taking a qualification.

As a department, we like to think we are forward-thinking and constantly trying to provide our pupils with the best opportunities we can, to experience a wide variety of sports. As our facilities develop, so does our curriculum. For the last two years, the girls have played and entered in the Lady Taverners cricket competitions, for example. We have also revisited our own orienteering course this year and as already mentioned have plans to develop the curriculum further with new activities at KS4, as the school grows.  We are looking forward to using our new grass, cricket wicket, this year and in the future the possibility of a much needed Astro turf facility.  We have also planned a Sports Tour to South Africa in 2020 to play rugby and netball, with 31 of our pupils.  We hope, that the opportunities we provide will inspire everyone to have an interest and confidence to get involved in some sort of sport or physical activity throughout their adult life, whether this be as a performer, leader or official.