A Level Physical Education (PE)

The course is designed to equip learners with both an in depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical education. The course aims to create confident independent thinkers and effective decision makers who can operate as individuals or as part of a team – all skills that will enable learners to effectively promote themselves as they progress through life.

We offer a flipped learning approach to the curriculum which provides students with the opportunity to learn the basics of topics at home and consolidate learning in the classroom. Students are expected to be competing in their chosen sport on a regular basis and video evidence will be submitted for practical assessment and external moderation. Your teachers are experienced performers in the fields of swimming, gymnastics and football; Having represented their sports at the highest level, they can help improve your practical grade through regular coaching and participation in the NSCG sports teams. There is also opportunity to represent your sport at the British Colleges Sport National Championships. We also strongly recommend that all students purchase a relevant text book for the course.

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above including Maths & English Language, in subjects relevant to your A Level Programme. You will need to achieve GSCE Science (Biology) at grade 5 or above. You must also play at least one sport at representative level for the duration of this course.

All students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the two years. 

Paper 1: (2 hour written exam, external) 90 marks, Contributes to 30% of final grade.

• Physiological factors affecting performance:
• 1.1 Applied anatomy & physiology
• 1.2 Exercise Physiology
• 1.3 Biomechanics

Paper 2: (1 hour written exam, external) 60 marks. Contributes to 20% of final grade.

• Psychological factors affecting performance:
• 2.1 Skill Acquisition
• 2.2 Sports psychology

Paper 3: (1 hour written exam, external) 60 marks. Contributes to 20% of final grade.

• Socio-cultural factors affecting performance:
• 3.1 Sport & Society
• 3.2 Contemporary issues in physical activity & sport

Non-exam assessment (internal assessment, external moderation). Contributes to 30% of final grade.

• 4.1 Practical performance or coach in full-sided fully-competitive activity
• 4.2 Verbal analysis of a peer’s performance (EAPI)

If you wish to find out more you can contact Hannah Dale by emailing: hannah.dale@nscg.ac.uk.

Successful completion of the course gives you a qualification that is accepted for entry into Higher Education for studies in a variety of PE related fields including primary and secondary teaching, sports science, physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports psychology and physiology.

This course is free for anyone aged 16 – 18.

College Maintenance Allowance (CMA): Anyone with a gross household income under £30,000 can receive financial support to cover college related costs such as transport, meals, course equipment and uniform. Bursary support is based on individual circumstances and will be allocated to best suit your individual needs. A range of other financial support is available depending on your personal circumstances. For more details visit nscg.ac.uk/finance