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Lealands High School

Lealands High School

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Physical Education

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GCSE Physical Education

VCert Health and Fitness

Why choose this subject?

Opting to study Physical Education, Health and Fitness opens students' eyes to the amazing world of sports performance, allowing them to follow a pathway on either the GCSE Physical Education qualification or the VCERT Health and Fitness qualification.

Physical Education, Health and Fitness is learned about through a range of different contexts and the impact it has on our own and others’ everyday lives.

Both qualifications offer an interesting, enjoyable and challenging learning experience.  We introduce key sporting and health ideas and show how these interlink with practical performance.  Students will gain insights into the relationships they have with each other throughout the course.  The development of transferable skills include; decision making, psychological understanding of people, independent thinking, problem solving and analytical skills, as well as thinking, acting and reacting under pressure. 

Studying Physical Education, Health and Fitness opens up a range of possibilities for further study and also into careers associated with the subject.

Course content

GCSE Physical Education

The emphasis throughout the course is on introducing the concepts within Physical Education and relating these to performance whilst developing students’ knowledge, competence and confidence in a wide variety of skills that will enable them to confidently move forward in life. The theoretical side of the course is complemented by the practical element where students will get to put this newly learned theory into practice and improve and develop in their chosen activities.  The combination of physical performance and academic challenge provides an exciting opportunity for every student.   They can perform, and then through the academic study, learn how to improve their performance through application of the theory. 

Students will learn the reasons why we do things and why some people outperform others – mentally and physically. They also delve into the ethical considerations behind the use of drugs in sport and gain an understanding of the consequences of inactivity and poor diet.  GCSE Physical Education includes the study of: Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Training, Sports Psychology, Socio-cultural Influences and Health, Fitness and Wellbeing.  Alongside this are the skills of Physical Education, which are examined via the Non Exam Assessment (NEA) practical component.

VCERT Health and Fitness

VCert Technical Awards are a suite of high quality technical qualifications which are appropriate for Key Stage 4 learners. They are a technical alternative to GCSEs with equivalent levels of rigor and challenge. The Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Fitness is designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding of the applied study of good health and fitness practices and an understanding of working in the sector.  Throughout this qualification students will gain valuable knowledge of:

• the principles of training and FITT

• how physical activities affect the body in the short and long term

• how relevant fitness test can be used for specific health and skill components of fitness

• different lifestyle analysis tools and how to apply them

• creating a health and fitness programme.

Possible careers

Students who want to go on to AS or A Levels, higher education or any career for which an understanding of the human body or human behaviour is desirable.  It provides a suitable introduction to further study in social sciences, or as part of a course of general education. 

Possible career paths include; Physiotherapy, Physical Education Teacher, Health and Fitness Instructor, Sports Scientist, Sports Analyst, Leisure Management and Lifestyle Coaches.

For further information and questions, please contact Mr Harnett, Director of Sport at Lealands High School.