PE at Ampleforth

There are two categories of PE.

Academic PE: which includes GCSE (Edexcel), AS and A2 (OCR).

Curriculum PE: which is not examined and is taught to every student in Yrs 9 to 11.

The Physical Education curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced range of experiences for students, where all are given the opportunity to learn new activities as well as extend skills in previously learned activities. Good quality teaching, good planning and first class facilities inspire and encourage our students to become involved in the subject as a non-exam option and / or an academic option. The PE curriculum offers a range of practical and theoretical subject matter which appropriately challenges all students. Students have many opportunities to extend their performances. We ask much from the student’s strengths and support them in their weaknesses.

There are currently 5 members of staff who share the teaching responsibilities. All are allocated to the non-exam programme offering a range of skills and experiences. The academic programme is structured in such a way that individual qaulifications and strengths of staff are maximised. Specific teaching areas in the academic programme include: Scientific, Socio-Cultural and Historical.

The non-exam programme involves the introduction of 12 different sports over the 3 year period from Year 9 to 11. Structured lessons have schemes of work and formal assessment and reporting procedures. Each sport is covered for approximately 6 to 8 lessons and incorporates common elements of: warm-up, basic skill introduction and development, minor games, rules and regulations.

Physical Education in its current context is a relatively new subject in the curriculum and has experienced significant change in the past few years. Recent modifications and additions to curriculum structure, timetabling, subject content and the quality of teaching and learning have all contributed to rapid growth in the subject. In 2005/6 there were 2 academic classes while, 3 years later in 2008/9 there is most likely 8. The subject is receiving much positive feedback from staff, students and parents. There is plenty of optimism and enthusiasm for further developments and continued growth in both the academic and non-exam PE programmes at Ampleforth