Physical Education | The Royal Belfast Academical Institution

Department

Physical Education

Level

KS3, KS4, KS5

Head of Department

Mr J Peak

Members of Dept

Mr D O’Neill, Mr G Monteith, Mr J Kirk, Mr M Gleghorne, Mr M Lyttle, Mr P Shepherd (Part-Time)

Gallery

Why study Physical Education?

The aim of the RBAI Physical Education Department is to develop physical competence so that our pupils can move efficiently, effectively and safely and understand what they are doing. The outcome – physical literacy – is as important to our student’s education and development as numeracy and literacy.

Learning takes place through action, awareness and observation. In Physical Education the pupils will focus on both “learning to move” and “moving to learn”.

Learning to move – includes the skills, techniques and understanding required for participation in physical activities, knowledge and control of their body and its range of and capacity for movement.

The range of learning includes:

Hand – eye co-ordination
Coping with space, speed and distance
Knowing the what? And how? About activities
Being able to participate as: Players, Coaches, Leader, Referees, umpires etc

Moving to learn – Physical activity is used as a context for and means of learning. The Physical Education Department will incorporate a whole range of learning outcomes which go beyond learning how to engage in selected physical activities.

Managing competition and co-operation, including the use of strategies and tactics.
Thinking, problem solving and decision making
Applying moral and aesthetic judgments
Movement confidence and competence
The relationship of exercise to health and well-being
Personal responsibility
Self-esteem and confidence
Being creative
Self-management
Working with others
Managing information

The PE Department does have a serious focus on learning as an enjoyable, socially engaged and physically involved process. Staff will positively enhance self-confidence, and self-esteem, through improving physical competence and physical educational attainment focusing on positive attitudes to learning.

What Physical Education offers?

Key Stage 3

Range of practical activities

Key Stage 4

Range of practical activities that follow the CCEA Physical Education Examination. The main components of which are outlined below.

Further information on the specification can be found at: http://ccea.org.uk/physical_education/

Key Stage 5

Pupils follow the CCEA GCE Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry specification. AS and A2 each comprise two units. There are four units in all. The main aspects of which are outlined below.

Unit AS 1 develops pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills involved in fitness and training. They administer a range of fitness tests and analyse the results. Pupils devise a training programme and lead the sessions. This unit is internally assessed through a portfolio.

Unit AS 2 introduces pupils to key concepts in health, fitness and lifestyle and explores the relationships between them. Pupils study nutrition for health and exercise as well as components of fitness. They also analyse the health of the nation compared with other European countries. This unit is assessed by a written examination of short and extended questions and stimulus response questions.

Unit A2 1 is designed to develop pupils’ higher-level skills through greater depth, complexity, and application of knowledge and understanding. It is internally assessed and externally moderated through an internal assessment portfolio. This unit provides pupils with the opportunity to organise and run an active leisure event. A2 1 helps pupils to prepare for employment in this industry by giving them the opportunity to develop essential workplace business skills.

Unit A2 2 concentrates on examining the structure of the respiratory, circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems. Pupils learn about how these systems function during and after exercise, and at rest. They develop a knowledge and understanding of the structural apparatus of each system and discuss the functions. Pupils study how the acquisition of skills and the principles of learning are relevant to skilled performance. This unit is assessed by a synoptic written examination consisting of short and extended questions and stimulus response questions.

Further information can be found on the CCEA website at: http://ccea.org.uk/sports_science/

Pupils in KS5 also have the opportunity to study The Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma (720 GLH) which is primarily an Applied General qualification, equivalent in size to two A levels.

This has proved to be a very popular qualification with the pupils and has led to university places in courses for Sport, Accountancy, Business and Physiotherapy.

Further information can be found at: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/sport-2016.html.

Exam Success

GCSE	A*	A	B	C*	C	D	E
55	4	17	16	10	6	1	1

AS Level	A	B	C	D
Sports Science	5	7	2	2

A2	A*	A	B	C	D
9	0	1	4	3	1

BTec	DD	D*D	DD	DM
	2	9	1	1

Beyond the Classroom

The Physical Education department is integral in the preparation of pupils physically and the running of many of the School’s athletic clubs. For further information please refer to the appropriate sections of the website.