Course full title: A Level PE
Exam Board: OCR
Specification Code: H555
Why study PE?
A Level PE is a fascinating and engaging course. Students will learn about a range of factors that affect sporting performance and learn to apply these into their own and other’s sporting performances. Additionally, students will explore an activity in detail as a performer or coach, chosen from a wide variety of sporting activities. Students will also critically analyse and evaluate performance in a chosen activity as part of their NEA.
Students of A Level PE will:
- Develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.
- Understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance.
- Understand the key socio-cultural factors that influence people’s involvement in physical activity and sport.
- Understand the role of technology in physical activity and sport.
- Refine their ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas.
- Develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance.
- Understand the contribution which physical activity makes to health and fitness.
- Improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds.
- Make connections with science, business, psychology, sociology and technology.
- Develop academic skills, including analysis and evaluation.
- Be able to make an informed decision about future careers.
What will I study over the two years?
A Level PE covers a wide range of subject content including:
H555/01 Physiological factors affecting performance
This component will assess:
- Applied anatomy and physiology
- Exercise physiology
- Biomechanics
H555/02 Psychological factors affecting performance
This component will assess:
- 2.1 Skill acquisition
- 2.2 Sports psychology
H555/03 Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport
This component will assess:
- 3.1 Sport and society
- 3.2 Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport
H555/05 Practical Performances
This component will assess either:
- core and advanced skills in performing one activity
or
- core and advanced skills in coaching one activity
H555/06 Evaluating and Analysing Performance for Improvement
This component draws upon the knowledge, understanding and skills a learner has learnt throughout the course and enables them to analyse and evaluate a peer’s performance in one activity.
What makes a good A Level PE student?
A good A Level PE student will be committed to achieving a high standard of sporting and academic performance. This will be combined with the interest and commitment necessary to explore the wide-ranging content associated with the world of physical education. A Level PE students will be already performing to a high level in at least one specification sport and have the desire to develop their own academic understanding further to help improve their own and other’s performances.
Where could A Level PE take me?
A Level PE will prepare students for the further study of PE or Sports Science courses as well as other related subject areas such as Psychology, Sociology and Biology. Students will also develop the transferable skills that are in demand by further education, Higher Education and employers in all sectors of industry.
A Level PE will create confident, independent thinkers and effective decision makers who can operate effectively as individuals or as part of a team – all skills that will enable them to stand out and effectively promote themselves as they progress through life.
How will I be assessed?
H555/01 Physiological factors affecting performance
Written paper:
2 hours – 30% of total A Level (90 marks)
This paper consists of a mixture of objective response, short and medium length answers, and extended response items. It may also include multiple choice questions.
H555/02 Psychological factors affecting performance
Written paper:
1 hour – 20% of total A Level (60 marks)
This paper consists of a mixture of objective response, short and medium length answers, and extended response items. It may also include multiple choice questions.
H555/03 Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport
Written paper:
1 hour – 20% of total A Level (60 marks)
This paper consists of a mixture of objective response, short and medium length answers, and extended response items. It may also include multiple choice questions.
H555/05 Practical Performances
Non-exam assessment (NEA) – 15% of total A Level (30 marks, weighted up to 45 marks)
This NEA will consist of one activity taken from the approved list. Learners can be assessed in the role of performer or coach.
H555/06 Evaluating and Analysing Performance for Improvement
Non-exam assessment (NEA) – 15% of total A Level (30 marks, weighted up to 45 marks)
This NEA will consist of observing a live or recorded performance by a peer and then providing an oral response analysing and critically evaluating the performance.
What are the entrance requirements?
- Grade 5 or above in GCSE PE
- Grade 5 or above in English Language
- Grade 5 5 in Combined Science or at least 2 grade 5s from individual sciences, preferably including Biology
- 5 or more grades 5-9; including equivalents across at least 5 subjects
- Maths Grade 4 or above
- Average GCSE GRADE of at least 4.0 (average of ALL GCSE full courses taken)