PE and SPORTS STUDIES

The OCR Specification is concerned with the study of Sport and Physical Education; it draws on the physical, life and social sciences as well as requiring an understanding of historical development and cultural context. It is a wide-ranging, yet specific, course that should appeal to anyone interested in sport. Wherever possible, theoretical work is supplemented by appropriate practical activities. The subject is recognised by Universities to satisfy entry requirements for any course and would be particularly relevant to anyone thinking of higher education courses in sport science, PE or related subjects, although it will sit well alongside a wide range of other courses.

Whilst it must be understood that there is a practical element to this course, candidates do not need to be “County” standard performers to take part. A small percentage of the mark for practical assessment is for effective personal performance; more important is the ability to demonstrate good technique and to be able to observe, analyse and understand the performance of others.

Candidates who wish to take this course should be under no illusions that it is going to be an easy option. The course has a strong scientific element, but this is balanced by the presence of the social, historical and cultural aspects of the syllabus. There will be a lot of background reading and preparation and candidates must also adjust to the idea that there is more to sport than learning and improving skills purely through active participation. A wide range of teaching strategies will be used including video analysis, group work, role-play etc. and students must be prepared to actively involve themselves. There is no pre-requirement for acceptance onto the course, but potential students should have a good set of GCSE grades, be prepared to work hard and have a real sense of motivation towards success.

Aims of the Course

The aims of the Advanced Subsidiary GCE and Advanced GCE specifications are to encourage candidates to:

• develop an understanding of the factors influencing performance and the ability to apply these to a range of physical activities;

• develop knowledge and skills of selected physical activities;

• develop the skills necessary to analyse, evaluate and improve performance;

• develop an appreciation of the social, moral and cultural issues which affect participation and performance in physical activity.

In addition, the Advanced GCE specification aims to encourage candidates to:

• develop the capacity to think critically about the relationships between the different factors influencing performance;

• develop a capacity to explain current provision for participation in physical activity in the context of social issues and global trends.

Assessment Objectives

Knowledge, understanding and skills are closely linked.  These specifications require candidates to demonstrate the following assessment objectives in the context of the content and skills prescribed.

Assessment objectives AO1 and AO2 apply to both Advanced Subsidiary GCE and Advanced GCE.  AO3 applies only to the A2 part of the Advanced GCE course.

AO1 Knowledge and Understanding

Candidates should be able to:

• evaluate aspects of practical performance and selected activities showing and understanding of the application of physical factors which underpin performance;

• describe and explain the ways in which skills are learned and applied in practice conditions to improve performance;

• interpret the effects of social, moral and cultural influences on participation and performance in physical activity;

• organise and present information, ideas, descriptions and arguments in a clear, logical and appropriate form, taking into account the use of specialist vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

AO2 Skills

Candidates should be able to:

• analyse and evaluate performance in selected practical activities;

• apply appropriate techniques and principles designed to develop an improvement in performance.

AO3 Knowledge

Candidates should be able to:

• analyse and explain the relationships between the physical and skill determinants of performance with contemporary influences on physical education and sport;

• critically evaluate and justify current provision for participation in physical activity in the context of social and cultural issues in the UK, Europe and other comparative cultures;

• analyse these trends through a consideration of global events that provide opportunity for international competition and reflect a country's policies, priorities and prejudices.

Outline Specification

First Year  AS Level

• Module 1
  Factors affecting performance – Applied Anatomy and Physiology.   Acquiring,Performing and Teaching Movement Skills

• Module 2
  Contemporary Studies in Physical Education and Sport

• Module 3
  Practical Activity Coursework assessment. (Demonstration of specified techniques, observation and analysis of techniques)

Practical activities

A range of taught practical activities selected from the different groups:

Athletic and Aquatic; Aesthetic; Combat; Outdoor and Adventurous; Invasion Games; Striking/Fielding games; Net/Wall Games.

Students will be expected to make their choice of activities (one individual and one game) that they will be offering for assessment. This will be guided by the teaching staff and will be related to school facilities, student abilities and staff expertise.

Second Year  A2 Level

• Module 4
  Historical Studies in PE; Psychology of Sport Performance

• Module 5
  Exercise Physiology (and synoptic assessment)

• Module 6
  Practical Activity Coursework assessment (Effective performance, Understanding Performance)

Practical activities

Students are expected to be preparing for assessment in the one Individual and one game activity that they have chosen.

Scheme of Assessment

The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full A level. AS can be taken as a stand-alone specification or as the first part of the full A Level course.

AS                     Candidates take Units 1,2,and3

A level                Candidates take Units 1,2,3,4,5 and 6

Specification Units

S.J. Hardman

R.S.

English Literature

History

Geography

Economics

Business Studies

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Latin

Classics

French

German

Art and Design

Design and Technology

Music and Music Technology

I.C.T.

PE and Sports Studies

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