A Level PE Syllabus

EXAMINATION BOARD: AQA

Are you interested in learning more about how the body moves and responds to exercise, the effects of training and the importance of maintaining fitness?

Would you like to improve your personal performance in sport through psychological and scientific theories?

AIM:

A Level Physical Education provides a course of study that expands on many of the ideas and concepts already encountered by those who have studied GCSE Physical Education. It provides a transition for those intending to study related courses in Higher Education and for others who do not wish to go on to further study, it provides a balanced, broad based course, worthwhile in its own right.
The course aims to develop the students’ understanding of the factors influencing performance, the skills needed to analyse, evaluate and improve performance, and the capacity to think critically about the factors in performance.

The Physical Education course covers a broad spectrum of disciplines:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Skill Acquisition
• Sports Psychology
• Contemporary, Comparative and Historical Studies

Outline of Subject Content

Unit 1: Opportunities for and the effects of leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

Section A

• Applied exercise physiology
• health, exercise and fitness
• nutrition
• pulmonary function
• transport of blood gases
• cardiac function
• analysis of movement
• levers
• skill acquisition

- information processing

• Opportunities for participation
• concepts, categorisations and benefits of physical activities
• current provision for active leisure
• role of schools and national governing bodies
• barriers and solutions to participation

Section B:

• Applied exercise physiology in practical situations
• Skill acquisition in practical situations

Unit 2: Practical coursework

Section A: Perform effectively in two of the following: performer, official or leader

Activities

Candidates may choose to be assessed in their preferred roles from any of the activities listed below;

Scheme and Timing of Assessments

AS Examination

Unit 1 - Opportunities for and the effects of leading a healthy and active lifestyle

Written examination:

Candidates are required to answer six structured questions in section A and one question in section B on a practical scenario.

Unit 2 - Analysis and evaluation of physical activity as a performer and/or in an adopted role/s

Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform, analyse and evaluate the execution of core skills/techniques in isolation and in structured practice as either:

A player/performer and in an adopted role or in two adopted roles

Section A requires candidates to be assessed on their ability in two from a choice of three roles.

A2 Physical Education

The modules of learning at A Level progress from those at AS to develop the skills and understanding of the factors that optimise performance in the development of excellence.

The A2 comprises two teaching and learning modules including a practical assessment and provides candidates with the opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge, skills and understanding gained at AS to enable them to identify the factors which lead to the optimisation of their own and others’ performance.

Unit 3: Optimising performance and evaluating contemporary issues within sport

Section A: Energy systems

• aerobic energy system
• anaerobic energy system
• muscles
• preparation and training
• sports injuries
• mechanics of movement

Section B: Psychological aspects that optimise performance

• personality
• arousal
• controlling anxiety
• attitudes
• aggression
• confidence
• attribution theory
• group success
• leadership

Section C: Evaluating contemporary influences

• concepts and characteristics of World Games
• the Olympic Ideal and its place in society
• deviance in sport
• commercialisation of modern day sport

Unit 4 - Optimising practical performance in a competitive situation

Section A: Perform effectively in one of the following:

Performer, official or leader/coach

Section B: Observation, analysis and critical evaluation

• performer – analysis of their own performance
• leader/coach – analysis of a named performer
• official – analysis of their own performance

Section C: Application of knowledge and understanding to optimise performance

• identify the causes of the weaknesses
• suggest appropriate corrective measures

A2 Examination

Unit 3 - Optimising performance and evaluating contemporary issues within sport

Candidates are required to answer three questions, one from Section A, one from Section B and one from Section C.

Unit 4 - Optimising practical performance in a competitive situation

Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform, analyse and evaluate their own performance in a competitive/performance situation as either a player/performer or in an adopted role.

Then using their knowledge and understanding candidates identify their weaknesses; suggest the causes of these weaknesses and the appropriate corrective measures.

Recommended Prior Level of Attainment

This is a challenging, but rewarding specification that requires not only a great degree of theoretical understanding and application, but also a high level of personal practical performance. It is not necessary for pupils to have studied GCSE Physical Education, although it is desirable for pupils to have achieved Grades A-B in GCSE, or the equivalent, in English and Science.