Skip to content ↓

Charles Darwin School

Physical Education

Click below for welcome information: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click below for course handbook: 

Course Overview

Physical Education is delivered across all three key stages. The yearly teaching programmes for years 7 & 8 are organised into 6 half term teaching blocks which consist of 4 winter sports and 4 summer sports. They each provide strong links with the key stage Physical Education National Curriculum teaching students fundamental skills and developing a range of analytical skills which will help students improve their own performance.

Physical Education is delivered, successfully, at both GCSE and A level. Within both courses high quality teaching, access to a wide range of resources, strong subject knowledge and a passionate delivery ensures we are able to facilitate a high level of learning though practical performance, sports analysis and training for improvement in fitness and sports performance.

Year 7, 8 and 9 core sports 

The Key Stage 3 curriculum is based around the development of basic skills. Students will learn how to warm up and cool down properly. They will be able to transfer skills they have learnt from one sport to another.
Football / Rugby / Table Tennis / Basketball / Cross Country / Netball / Gymnastics / Dance / Trampolining / Badminton
Tennis / Athletics / Rounders / Cricket / Softball

Year 10 and 11 core sports 

The Key Stage 4 curriculum is based around application of skills within games and competitions. Students will have the knowledge and experience to organise their own teams, training and tournaments. Students are given more of a choice to select the sports that they have enjoyed in years 7, 8 and 9.
Football / Rugby / Table Tennis / Basketball / Cross Country / Netball / Gymnastics / Dance / Trampolining / Badminton
Tennis / Athletics / Rounders / Cricket / Softball

GCSE Courses/Topics 

The GCSE course is both theory and practical based. Students learn about how the body works, how to train the body to improve performance, reasons for participation, factors that influence performance. The Practical is based on assessment of performance in four sports.

A level Courses/Topics 

Year 12 – Anatomy & Physiology, Development of skills, Socio-cultural Issues in sport
Year 13 - Exercise Physiology, History of sport, Sports Psychology

BTEC in Sport level 2 / Level 3 


The BTEC course is mainly non examination based. Students will be required to complete several different Units, producing a folder of evidence that demonstrate their skills in communication, analysis, reporting and investigating.

Why choose the subject? 

  • Develop communication / leadership / cooperation skills
  • Learn how to keep fit and eat healthier
  • Develop your fitness and general health
  • Try out new sports and experience different emotions
  • Develop your creative skills
  • Improve skills for sport and general life
  • Develop your confidence

Common Questions 

Q. When do I have PE?
A. Every year group has 3 or 4 PE lessons over the two week timetable.

Q. What sports will I play?
A. At Key Stage 3 you will play a range of different sports and physical activities. Winter CORE PE includes Football, Basketball, Netball, Badminton, Table tennis, Rugby, Trampolining, Dance, Gymnastics and Health Related Fitness. Summer CORE PE includes Rounder’s, Cricket, Athletics (track and field), Softball, Alternative Activities (OAA) and Short Tennis. At GCSE you will be assessed in three sports of your choice. At A-Level you will be assessed in one sport of your choice.

Q. What is the difference between BTEC Sport and GCSE?
A. BTEC Sport is 60% coursework including practical and theory. It then has 40% written exam. GCSE course is examinations based at the end of year 11. The course requires 3 practical sports (30%), coursework (10%), Paper 1 (36%) and Paper 2 (24%).

Q. Can I represent the school in fixtures?
A. Yes. You can play for the school team in Football, Basketball, Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Athletics, Trampolining and Cross Country. We compete at league, cup, county and national level.

Q. Who will teach me?
A. Miss Owen, Mr Bidwell, Mrs Dobney, Mr Huggins, Mrs Wray, Mr Roberts or Miss Porter.

Useful Links