Physical Education

In Physical Education we aim to provide students with a knowledge of both practical skills and essential theoretical content.

By the end of KS3 students will have developed their ability to demonstrate core skills, advanced skills and tactical play within the different sports we focus on. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of skills and tactics for sports such as Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Football, Rounders, Volleyball, Outdoor Education, Cricket and Dance, and will be able to identify key terminology for these sports as well. 

Within the Year 7 programme of study, learners will also develop knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems, as well as heart rate calculations and the components of an effective warm up and cool down. Year 8 learners will also develop knowledge and understanding of components of fitness, as well as fitness testing and training. We encourage our students to develop creativity in their showcasing of skills and develop our pupils as leaders by challenging them to take on the role of a captain or coach within varying practical contexts. This is integrated from Year 7 to Year 9 across the range of activities delivered.

By the end of KS4, Core PE students will develop their knowledge of the essential roles and responsibilities of officials and staff that are associated to the sports that they are learning about. Students will be challenged to undertake these roles and responsibilities within lessons and will be assessed on their effectiveness. Within certain sports they will be exposed to a range of positions and tactical play.

Within our KS4 Vocational Sport syllabus, pupils will be challenged to demonstrate their practical abilities within a team (Volleyball) and an individual sport (Badminton). They will be challenged to critically review their own performances within these sports. Students will focus on developing their physical competency within these sports while also developing their knowledge of how to perform specific skills with accuracy and fluency. The role of the officials within both sports will be covered in greater detail with specific focus on rules and regulations.

In addition to this, students will progress their understanding of how to perform specific training methods and will evaluate the different types of training that are associated with improving certain components of fitness. Pupils will be tasked with designing and creating their own training plans with a specific component of fitness and will analyse their own fitness over a six-week training programme by monitoring improvements against their planned goals and objectives.

Students will enhance their knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities of an effective sports leader, and will evaluate the skills, qualities and responsibilities that are synonymous with a competent leader. Pupils will be challenged with the task of planning and delivering their own coaching session, so will develop their understanding of the key components of an effective leadership session and how these components should be delivered to ensure the safety of participants.

We challenge our students to develop their physical competencies as well as developing their ability to problem-solve and analyse their own performances. Our aim is for our Physical Education students to leave Paignton Academy with a lifelong love for sport, as well as a deep understanding of how to live healthy, active lifestyles.