Physical Education Curriculum Overview

Welcome to the Physical Education department, below is an overview of what we offer at BHBS. If you require further information, please contact the school.

The Curriculum

Intent

Our Physical Education (PE) curriculum is designed to inspire all students to engage in lifelong physical activity and develop a passion for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We focus on providing a broad and balanced range of activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities while fostering personal growth, teamwork, and resilience.

Key Aims:

1. Physical competence: Equip students with the skills, techniques and knowledge needed to participate confidently in a variety of physical activities.
2. Health and well-being: Promote the importance of physical fitness, mental health and long-term benefits of active living.
3. Character development: Encourage attributes such as teamwork, leadership, perseverance, respect and BHBS core values through cooperative and competitive activities.
4. Inclusion and accessibility: Ensure every student feels supported and challenged regardless of ability, providing opportunities for success and enjoyment.
5. Active participation: Cultivating a positive attitude towards participating in physical activities both in and out of school; laying the foundation for lifelong involvement.

Through a combination of practical sessions and reflective learning, our curriculum strives to inspire students to embrace the values of sportsmanship, determination, and personal development.

Implementation

The PE curriculum is delivered through structured lessons, extra-curricular activities and cross curricular opportunities designed to engage, challenge, and motivate students. The focus is on providing a balanced and progressive curriculum that meets the diverse needs of all learners.

KS3

At KS3 we offer a broad curriculum allowing students to experience a wide range of sports and physical activity. Our aim is to inspire all students to engage in regular physical activity to promote a healthy active lifestyle.

KS4

Our KS4 curriculum builds on the foundations established at KS3. Here we look to further embed the knowledge, skills and values developed at KS3 focusing on promoting lifelong physical activity and personal well-being and enjoyment of exercise. It encourages students to take ownership of their physical fitness and equips them with the tools to lead a healthy and active, lifestyle beyond school.

Those who decide to further their knowledge and understanding of physical education at GCSE level are placed on one of the following two courses:

 

Edexcel GCSE PE:

This course provides students with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values they need to be able to develop and maintain their performance in physical activities. Students will also gain understanding of how physical activities benefit health, fitness, and wellbeing.

The course is split into 4 components:

1. Component 1: Fitness and Body Systems (36%)
2. Component 2: Health and Performance (24%)
3. Component 3: Practical Performance (students will be assessed in 3 practical sports) (30%)
4. Components 4: Personal Exercise Programme (PEP) (10%)

This course will be delivered over the two years will all assessments taking place in the final year.

 

OCR Cambridge National in Sport Studies:

This course encourages students to think for themselves about the study of sport and the application to real life practical sport, leadership and evaluation of the skills required there. They will study topics affecting sport through the contemporary issues unit, both play and lead sporting activities, as well as having the chance to either explore the world of outdoor sport or the media.

Students will complete 3 of the following 4 units of work:

1. Contemporary issues in sport (mandatory, assessment type = exam)
2. Performance and leadership in sports activities (mandatory, assessment type = NEA)
3. Sport and the media (mandatory, assessment type = NEA)
4. Increasing awareness of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (mandatory, assessment type = NEA)

This course will be assessed throughout the two year delivery plan with units of work being submitted at both January and May assessment points in Y10 and Y11.

 

Further information about both courses can be found by clicking on the links provided.

Edexcel:

1. Specification:https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Physical%20Education/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/GCSE-physical-education-2016-specification.pdf
2. Practical grading criteria: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Physical%20Education/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/9781446933794-gcse016-l2-pe-ppac-pdf.pdf

OCR Sport Studies:

1. https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/610953-specification-cambridge-nationals-sport-studies-j829.pdf

 

In summary, PE is not just about physical fitness – it is a holistic programme that nurtures the physical, emotional, mental and social well-being of individuals preparing them for healthier, more productive lives. Its impact extends beyond the individual to benefit schools, communities, and society as a whole.

 

Impact

The impact of PE extends beyond physical fitness, influencing students' overall development and future behaviours. Key impacts include:

1. Improved physical health: helps to establish habits that decrease the likelihood of chronic diseases
2. Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: participation in physical activities releases endorphins, which help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
3. Academic Performance: studies show that physical activity enhances brain function, improving focus, memory, and cognitive performance, which positively affects academic achievements.
4. Social Skills Development: encourages inclusivity and empathy by exposing students to diverse team dynamics
5. Lifelong Healthy Habits: instils a lifelong appreciation for fitness and well-being.

 

In conclusion, a well-rounded PE curriculum shapes not just physically active individuals but aids in the development of key characteristics required for future endeavours.

 

Extra-Curricular Sports

Here at BHBS we are very proud of the extensive extra-curricular sports programme we offer students throughout the year. BHBS has an exceptional sporting tradition established over many decades and team PE is committed to continuing this tradition by providing students with a diverse range of physical activities both before and after school.

Fixtures are offered in all core sports and throughout the year groups. Clubs are seasonal to allow us to cater for as many sports as possible. To view upcoming fixtures please visit our online school calendar:

The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School - Calendar

The reintroduction of a biennial sports tour truly extenuates our passions for sport and providing students with as many possibilities to be involved in physical activity. These tours are aimed at offering students the opportunity to compete in sport against other international schools as well as develop students’ cultural capital.

Sporting Success

We understand the importance of celebrating success and as part of our commitment to recognising the dedication, effort and time students invest in their sporting endeavours we celebrate success in an array of forms. This includes:

• Sports flashes: for those who show consistent commitment to a school-based club.
• Sport ties: for those who take their sporting interest beyond school level to represent at county and national levels.

Please note: to be awarded with a sports tie, students must submit evidence to sportsawards@bhbs.hereford.sch.uk. As a department we will review and decide if it meets the criteria for a half or full colours tie.

Each year the PE department hosts a Sports Awards Evening providing staff, parents, and students a platform to celebrate and recognise both individual and team successes. Sports ties are presented as part of this celebration.

 

Sports Leaders

Sports Leaders play a vital role in schools, clubs, and communities by organising, managing, and inspiring others to participate in physical activity and sports. They act as role models and facilitators, ensuring that activities are enjoyable, inclusive, and beneficial for all participants. Due to the specialist programme implemented here at BHBS we are often asked to support local sporting events including Here Girls Can, The School Games and the Values Games.

Our Year 9 students are provided with the opportunity to apply for the role of a ‘Sports Leader’ at the start of the academic year. Each year we experience an influx of applications with students understanding the key life skills that can be developed through this role.

 

PE Kit

The PE department emanates the same level of expectations regarding our PE kit as we do for the school uniform. Students PE kit is crucial to lessons and learning.

We understand that there will be occasions when a student is not able to take part in PE lessons due to illness or injury. Students are still expected to participate in a different capacity for example, taking on the role of a scorer, umpire, analyst, or coach. Therefore, students will be required to change into their PE kit and join in where possible unless physically unable to do so for example, in cast for a broken bone. Lessons are often outside, and students are consequently not getting their school uniform and school shoes dirty, they will have clean dry uniform to return to. Students arriving fully equipped and able to participate safely gives students the best chance of success at BHBS.