Physical Education
Staff
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Miss Catherine McGourty (Head of PE and Sport for Girls)
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Mr Paddy McGaharan (Head of PE and Sport for Boys)
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Mrs Gemma Lawlor
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Miss Michelle Black
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Mr Joe Shields
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Mr David Collins
Key Stage 3
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All students do Physical Education as a non-exam subject in years 8, 9 and 10. Activities within the programme of study include athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, and swimming.
GCSE
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All students participate in Physical Education as a non-exam subject in years 11 and 12. Activities are based on experience gained at Key Stage 3 with the opportunity to broaden knowledge and practical skills through activities such as Health Related PE. Activities included aerobics, weight training, jogging, yoga and games.
Students may choose to study PE as a GCSE subject. The PE department in OLSPCK currently follow the Eduqas GCSE PE curriculum at GCSE. The course consists of both a practical and a theoretical component. The theory comprises the five themes of study.
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These include:
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Health, training, and exercise
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Exercise physiology
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Movement analysis
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Psychology of sport and physical activity
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Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport
The theory component is assessed through a written paper at the end of Year 12 and makes up 60% of the qualification.
GCSE PE students are also assessed in a non-exam component which makes up 40% of the qualification.
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This component is internally assessed and externally moderated. Learners will be assessed in three different activities (30% weighting) in the role of performer in at least one individual and one team sport. The list of activities that are available to choose can be find on the Eduqas specification (P28): GCSE Specification Template (eduqas.co.uk)
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Learners will be further assessed through a written analysis and evaluation of their personal performance in one of their chosen activities (10% weighting).
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A-Level
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Students may select PE as an ‘AS’ or ‘A’ Level subject. At OLSPCK we currently follow the WJEC syllabus. Students may choose to study Physical Education as an ‘AS’ or ‘A’ Level subject. The course consists of both a practical and a theoretical component.
At AS level, there is a 40% weighting for the non-examination component. 20% of the qualification is awarded for practical performance in a chosen activity which can be found on P56 of the WJEC specification: A level specification template (wjec.co.uk). 10% is awarded for performance in coaching/officiating and the final 10% is awarded for a piece of coursework (Personal Performance Profile).
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The remaining 60% is assessed through a question paper at the end of Year 13.
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At A2 level, there is a 40% weighting for the non-examination component. 20% of the qualification is awarded for practical performance in a chosen activity which can be found on P56 of the WJEC specification: A level specification template (wjec.co.uk). 20% is awarded for a piece of coursework (Investigative Research).
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The remaining 60% is assessed through a question paper at the end of Year 14.
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Post A-Level
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Many students that study Physical Education to A-level choose further study in Soprt. The most common third level courses studied by our students include BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences at UU, Belfast or BEd (Hons) Primary Teaching (Physical Education) at St Mary’s University, Belfast. Other third level institutions in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland also provide many different sports related courses.
Enrichment/Extra Curricular
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The PE department is extremely busy both before and after school with a whole host of sporting activities on offer for our students. Extra-curricular sport starts before school at 8am until 9am, while activities run after school from 3:45pm to 4:45/5pm.
Activities provided to the student body are both non-competitive and competitive and students are given the opportunity to represent the College in various competitions. All teams are coached by members of staff from the College.
Activities include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football (Boys and Girls), Gaelic (Boys and Girls), Hurling, Netball and Rugby
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