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Physical Education

Key Stage 3

Intent:

At Brayton, we recognise the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, which is promoted through a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum. Physical exercise is fundamental, enabling students to perform everyday tasks and improve their quality of life and life expectancy. Through PE, students are taught to access higher-level skills and apply them in competitive situations with confidence. We aim to instil core values such as resilience (growth mindset) and mutual respect, as well as offering students the opportunity to participate in competitive sports through our extensive extracurricular program and sporting academy pathways.

Our Physical Education program not only promotes a healthy, active lifestyle but also opens doors to a variety of career opportunities, such as Sports Scientist, Professional Athlete, Coach, Events Manager, Sports Psychologist, or Teacher.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of all students, with its core aims being:

  • Offering a wide range of activities that challenge and stretch pupils’ abilities.
  • Encouraging students to use tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in competitive situations.
  • Developing leadership and independence through student-led activities.
  • Introducing students to the theory of PE, including Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Sociocultural Influences, and Sports Psychology.

At Brayton, talented students can progress into our Netball and Rugby academies. Here, they receive expert coaching, focused on mastering skills and enhancing their technical and tactical understanding. Our academy sessions instil values like hard work, commitment, respect, and sportsmanship, ensuring our students are well-prepared to perform optimally and foster a lifelong love of learning and development.

Key Stage 3:

In Key Stage 3, students begin by learning basic skills in Year 7. As they progress into Years 8 and 9, they recap these fundamental skills and start applying them in small-sided games and competitive situations. The focus then shifts to enhancing tactical awareness and developing the ability to outwit opponents. Throughout these years, students also receive an introduction to the anatomy, physiology, and psychology that underpin sports performance, offering them a foundation of knowledge that is further developed in GCSE PE.

Students at Brayton are guided by the "Head, Heart, Hands" model of self-assessment, which promotes holistic development in PE:

  • Head: Knowledge and decision-making in sports.
  • Heart: Attitude, resilience, and teamwork.
  • Hands: Physical skills and execution of techniques.

This model ensures that all students can make progress, regardless of their starting point, by focusing on intellectual understanding, emotional engagement, and physical proficiency.

As part of this approach, students in Key Stage 3 complete a self-assessment for each sport they participate in. At the beginning of each term, they evaluate themselves against specific sporting level descriptors and set personal targets to work toward. The self-assessment is built around the "Head, Heart, Hands" model, encouraging students to reflect on their cognitive understanding of the sport (Head), their attitude and teamwork (Heart), and their physical skills (Hands).

This comprehensive framework not only helps students take ownership of their learning but also ensures they see measurable progress, fostering growth in all aspects of their development—mental, emotional, and physical—throughout the term.

GCSE Pre-Option

Intent:

At Brayton, our GCSE Pre-Option PE course is designed to give Year 9 students a taste of the full GCSE PE curriculum while developing both their practical and theoretical understanding of physical education. Students engage in two lessons per week—one theory lesson and one practical.

In practical lessons, students focus on improving their performance in various sports, aligning their skills with the GCSE specification. They work on core and advanced techniques, aiming for accuracy, control, and fluency. The students also apply theoretical knowledge learned in class to real-life sports situations, enhancing their decision-making, tactical awareness, and ability to implement strategies during competitive games.

The theory lessons introduce students to key concepts covered in the full GCSE PE course, such as anatomy, physiology, and sociocultural influences on sport. This balanced approach ensures that students are well-prepared for further study, while also enjoying their practical experiences.

This pre-option course serves as a foundation for students considering GCSE PE in Years 10 and 11, helping them build the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the full course.

Key Stage 4

Intent:

At Brayton, we recognise the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, which is promoted through a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum. Physical exercise is fundamental, enabling students to perform everyday tasks and improve their quality of life and life expectancy. Through PE, students are taught to access higher-level skills and apply them in competitive situations with confidence. We aim to instil core values such as resilience (growth mindset) and mutual respect, as well as offering students the opportunity to participate in competitive sports through our extensive extracurricular program and sporting academy pathways.

Our Physical Education program not only promotes a healthy, active lifestyle but also opens doors to a variety of career opportunities, such as Sports Scientist, Professional Athlete, Coach, Events Manager, Sports Psychologist, or Teacher.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of all students, with its core aims being:

  • Offering a wide range of activities that challenge and stretch pupils’ abilities.
  • Encouraging students to use tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in competitive situations.
  • Developing leadership and independence through student-led activities.

Introducing students to the theory of PE, including Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Sociocultural Influences, and Sports Psychology.

Key Stage 4 PE

In Years 10 and 11, students have the option to take GCSE PE, following the OCR specification. The course spans one academic year and consists of six lessons per week, divided into the following areas:

  • Theory Lessons:
    • Two lessons focus on Physical Factors Affecting Performance, covering applied anatomy and physiology.
    • Two lessons cover Socio-cultural Issues and Sports Psychology, exploring the wider impact of sport on society and understanding mental processes related to athletic performance.
  • Practical Lessons:
    • Two lessons are dedicated to refining practical skills in sports from the GCSE specification. Students focus on mastering both core and advanced techniques, performing with accuracy, control, and fluency. They also develop decision-making and tactical awareness to elevate their performance in competitive situations.

Core PE in Year 10

In addition to the GCSE course, Year 10 core PE is designed to cater to all students, whether or not they are pursuing GCSE PE. Core PE is divided into three strands:

  • GCSE Sport:
    This strand is for students currently enrolled in or preparing for GCSE PE in Year 11. They focus on sports from the GCSE specification, developing advanced skills and refining their performance. Decision-making and tactical application are also emphasized, ensuring students are well-prepared for competitive assessments.
  • Elective Sports Strands:
    Students who are not taking GCSE PE are offered a choice between two sports strands each term, which they complete on a four-week cycle. This includes traditional sports like rugby, football, and badminton, as well as alternative options like lacrosse, hockey, and Zumba. This flexible approach is designed to boost student engagement and ensure that all students stay active and motivated.

By offering a wide range of options, Brayton ensures that all students remain engaged, active, and motivated in physical education, while also preparing them for further qualifications or lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.

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