PE: Physical Education GCSE
What is our curriculum intent?
GCSE PE aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the value of regular safe exercise, how the human body functions and its response to physical activity. We also aim to develop an understanding of the factors that may affect performance and a healthy active lifestyle, while promoting knowledge, skills and understanding in a range of practical activities.
How do we implement our curriculum?
The AQA GCSE-level PE qualification has a 60% theoretical component and 40% practical component.
The GCSE courses are suited to students who:
- have a current regular competitive involvement in at least one sport to a high level as a performer, or who are competent performers in a number of sports
- have an active involvement in the school’s ‘Sports X-tra’ programme
- perform well in science and English lessons
- want their own practical ability to be assessed as part of the qualification
- are considering studying AS PE in the sixth form
- have an interest in sports related topics such as diet and nutrition, sponsorship and the media.
GCSE PE Specification at a Glance
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.
Subject content
- Applied anatomy and physiology
- Movement analysis
- Physical training
- Use of data
- Sports psychology
- Socio-cultural influences
- Health, fitness and well-being
Assessment 1: 30% | Assessment 2: 30% | Practical Performance: 40% |
Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport
What's assessed? Applied anatomy and physiology Movement analysis Physical training Use of data
How it's assessed Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes 30% of GCSE | Paper 2: Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport
What's assessed? Sports psychology Socio-cultural influences Health, fitness and well-being Use of data
How it's assessed Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes 30% of GCSE | Non-exam assessment: Practical performance in physical activity and sport
What's assessed? Practical performance in 3 different physical activities in the role of player/performer (one in a team activity, one in an individual activity and a third in either a team or in an individual activity). Analysis and evaluation of performance to bring about improvement in one activity. How it's assessed Assessed by teachers Moderated by AQA 40% of GCSE |
How do we measure the impact of the course?
- The human body and movement in physical activity and sport
- Socio-cultural influences and well-being in physical activity and sport
Progress during the theoretical components of the course is assessed through end of unit tests and continued assessment of class work.
External assessment of the theoretical component occurs at the end of Year 11 and involves two written exams which when combined are worth 60% of the overall GCSE Grade.
Practical performance in physical activity and sport
Students’ practical performance is assessed in three different physical activities in the role of player/performer (one in a team activity, one in an individual activity and a third in either a team or in an individual activity). Students will also be required to complete a further coursework task to analyse and evaluate performance in order to bring about improvement in one activity.
What we teach when
Year 10
Year 11
What extra opportunities to learn are available?
We expect the GCSE PE students to make full use of our extensive ‘Sports X-tra’ programme and give students the opportunity to develop their skills and take part in competitive sport, therefore enhancing their practical GCSE PE scores.
What websites do we recommend?
Students looking to consolidate, enrich or extend their knowledge and understanding might start at:
The examination board specification can be found at: