Physical Education

Unlock the Science of Sport 

Explore Performance, Coaching, and Human Potential 

The Technical Award in Sport and Physical Activity gives you the chance to understand what drives elite performance. You’ll explore how the body adapts to exercise, how athletes reach peak fitness, and what separates top performers from everyday individuals. This course also allows you to experience different roles in sport, from performing to coaching, helping you discover where your passion lies. 

The external PE exams take place in January of Year 13, which is advantageous as it allows students additional revision time on their other chosen subjects during the main summer examination period, ensuring a more balanced and manageable workload.

Course Overview

Course Type:	Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
Exam Board:	OCR
Assessment	58.4% Exam 41.6% Coursework

92% – The majority of our Physical Education students last year achieved a Distinction* or Distinction.

What you will learn about: 

How the human body responds and adapts to physical activity

The science behind elite athletic performance

Skills and techniques for coaching and supporting athletes

The physical, social, and psychological aspects of sport and exercise

Course Content & Assessment

Theoretical Units

Body Systems and the Effects of Physical Activity (25%)

Exam – 70 marks 1 hour 30 minutes

Learn how different systems in the body (like muscles, bones, and the heart) respond to exercise.
Explore the science behind improving physical performance.

Sports Organisation and Development (16.6%)

Exam – 60 marks 1 hour

Understand how sports are structured, from grassroots to elite level.
Learn about the organisations that support and develop sports worldwide.

Sport and Exercise Psychology (16.6%)

Coursework

Dive into the mental side of sport: motivation, confidence, focus, and team dynamics.
Learn how psychology impacts performance and how athletes can use it to their advantage.

Practical Units

Practical Skills in Sport and Physical Activities (16.6%)

Coursework

You will be assessed on your ability to perform in three areas:

Individual sport

Team sport

Outdoor adventurous activity

You will also be assessed as an official (e.g., referee or umpire). To succeed in this unit, it’s important to be regularly involved in sport outside of school.

Sports Coaching and Activity Leadership (25%)

Leading practical sessions and coursework assignment

Learn how to plan, deliver, and evaluate practical sessions as a coach or leader.

You will create your own sports sessions, run them, and then reflect on how they went, making improvements for next time.

Teaching

In this course, you will experience a blend of theory-based classroom learning and hands-on practical sessions. We’ll link your existing practical knowledge to the theoretical concepts we study, allowing you to see how they apply in real-life contexts. Occasionally, practical activities will be incorporated into theory lessons to help reinforce learning and give you a deeper understanding of key topics. This combination of learning styles will support you in mastering both the academic and practical aspects of the course. 

Your Future

The Physical Education course opens doors to a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Universities are increasingly offering courses related to PE, including popular options like Sports Science, PE Teaching, and Physiotherapy. There’s also growing interest in fields like Sports Psychology and Sports Development/Coaching. Beyond university, you could pursue a career in the sports industry, working as a fitness instructor, coach, or even with a National Governing Body. Whether you choose to continue your studies or enter the workforce, the skills and knowledge gained from this course will be invaluable. 

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