Physical Education at High Arcal is valued as an integral part of life at the school. It is delivered throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 by specialist teachers whose experience and expertise ensure quality education. We have a range of facilities which include a gymnasium, newly refurbished fitness room, dance studio, extensive playing fields, six tennis courts, three netball courts and three outdoor basketball courts. All students receive 2 and a half hours of P.E. at key stage 3 and 1 hour 15 minutes at key stage 4 with GCSE PE and other qualification pathways being offered as an option choice.
KS3 Curriculum Overview We cover all the areas of the new National Curriculum as complete modules these are; Outwitting Opponents (OWO), Accurate Replication (AR), Performing at Maximum Levels (PML), Exploring and Communicating Ideas and Emotions (ECI) and Identifying and Solving Problems (ISP), in addition we also cover Exercising Safely and Effectively (ESE), so that students gain a better understanding of health and fitness and also to help give an insight into some of the theory aspects of G.C.S.E. P.E. The Curriculum at KS3 is taught in mixed gender groups (AR and ECI) otherwise lessons are taught single gender (OWO, PML, ISP and ESE). Within the Outwitting an Opponent module we offer: Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Basketball, Bat and Ball games i.e. Rounders, Cricket, Softball, Badminton and Tennis. Within Accurate Replication we offer gymnastics and athletics. We offer dance for Exploring and Communicating Ideas. We feel that this gives students a wide range of activities through which each student can develop and progress.
KS4 Curriculum Overview During KS4 each student is timetabled for 1 hour of core P.E per week. Students follow a modular P.E. programme, where they will have the option to choose a certain pathway that includes a range of sports and activities that they prefer. These options are derived from the same National Curriculum areas as in Key Stage 3 (i.e. Outwitting an Opponent etc.). Some students may choose to gain a qualification called the Junior Sports Leaders Award (JSLA), which is explained below. In addition some students will opt to follow a PE/Sports Studies Qualification during Key Stage 4 and they will receive a minimum of two additional lessons of Sport, both practically and theoretically.
GCSE PE This course is studied for two years. Marks are awarded for practical work (60%) and a theory examination (40%). Lessons are taught as either theory or practical sessions, the theoretical element takes its focus from securing the knowledge and understanding needed for the student to take responsibility for his/her own physical growth and development as part of a personal healthy active lifestyle. The practical aspect of the course encourages students to make informed choices about getting involved in healthy physical activities that meet their needs and develops knowledge and understanding of the roles that they can adopt and what constitutes effective performance in these different roles.
BTEC DANCE Btec Dance is a new course for September 2009, which is worth up to two GCSE’s equivalent. Students will cover two different dance modules, Jazz and Contemporary with a third module covering the dance performance. All work is backed up with theoretical components, which are also graded.
SPORT STUDIES Another pathway for students to follow PE and sport into Key Stage 4 is via the Btec Sport Studies Course, worth up to four GCSE’s. This is run in conjunction with Coseley Sports School and Dudley College. Students are allowed to attend the college once a week to gain this qualification.
JUNIOR SPORTS LEADERS AWARD This nationally recognised award is designed for the development of pupils' leadership skills at Key Stage 4. As well as covering elements of the National Curriculum for P.E this award complements many elements of the Citizenship and P.S.H.E National Curriculum.
Pupils cover the following units: • Planning, preparing and assisting a simple sporting activity> • Basic communication skills for leading a sporting activity • Principals/practice in delivering a basic health/fitness session • Understanding fair play in sport • Understanding the role of the sports official • Understanding the scope of local sport and recreation activities • Demonstration of leadership skills in sport The course is assessed by tutor observation on a pass/fail basis. Pupils must complete the following: • One hour of practical leadership experience • The course log book • A satisfactory level of attendance Pupils are selected for this course at the end of key stage three. Those selected are those students showing good standards of behaviour, kit and a positive attitude toward the subject throughout Key Stage 3.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES We run a wide extra curricular programme, which promotes both participation and excellence. Lunchtime activities provide students with the opportunity to participate in activities on a more recreational basis. After school activities are often more orientated towards matches and team practices, although everyone is welcome to attend. We enter teams into many of the Dudley schools leagues and have, over the years attained a great deal of success with students having gone on to attain success at school, club, county and national level. Extra curricular activities are offered in the following areas: - BOYS – Rugby, Football, Cricket, Gymnastics, Basketball, Athletics, Cross Country, Tennis, Table Tennis, Fitness and Golf GIRLS – Netball, Football, Rounders, Gymnastics, Basketball, Athletics, Cross Country, Tennis, Fitness, Table Tennis, Dance and Golf
