Physical Education
Physical Education makes a unique contribution to a young person's education, as it is the only area of the curriculum which is concerned with the development of gross motor skills, movement competence and learning through movement.
Physical Education is education through physical activity, it is essentially a practical subject. Together with other subjects this ensures education of the whole person.
"The physical education programme is where general and specific skills are acquired, where knowledge and understanding develop and where positive attitudes and personal and social attributes are encouraged. Physical Education's most significant contribution to the education process is its focus on the body and the development of the pupils' understanding and enjoyment of and competence in the physical area of learning and experience. Physical Education aims to develop control, co-ordination and mastery of the body". Denzil Flanagan HMI staff Inspector for P.E and Dance 1988
The Department currently has six full time members of staff offering a range of activities and specialisms. Sports are offered in all major games: rugby, hockey, netball, football, basketball, cricket, rounders and tennis. Athletics and cross-country have always been strong and the College boasts many county athletes. We have won county titles in rugby, hockey and football with area cricket, netball, football and athletics all strong. The department was assessed by OFSTED as a "strength of the College" and the curriculum is delivered by experts in outstanding facilities which include:
- A full size Sports Hall
- Activity Hall
- Gymnasium
- Fitness suite
- 4 squash courts
- Lecture room
- 6 Floodlit tennis/netball court
- Floodlit Astroturf
- 2 Artificial Cricket wickets
- Cricket nets
- A good range of grass pitches and practice areas (rugby and football)
- 400-metre grass running track /jumping and throwing areas
All students should experience a Physical Education curriculum, which continually stresses the true value of sporting involvement and physical activity.
We aim to provide a happy, safe and secure environment whereby all students are fully encouraged to reach their full potential. As educationalists we are concerned with setting high personal standards for all students to emulate.
We aim to demonstrate healthy lifestyles and communicate a strong enthusiasm for out subject.
The Team has a number of clear commitments:
- To encourage an intrinsic enjoyment of the arts, sport and physical activity.
- To strive to raise the standard of physical education for all our students.
- To develop positive attitudes, encouraging a sense of responsibility to oneself and others as individuals, whilst generating a sense of fairness, honest involvement and excellent behaviour.
- To promote healthy and positive lifestyles through artistic expression and physical activity, this being of equal importance at all levels of ability.
- To continually extend both our team and teaching to benefit students and the wider community.
- To work collaboratively with our primary and middle schools and enhance their work.
- To increase participation and attainment in physical education within the whole spectrum of curricular and extra curricular activities.
- Finally, to help today’s young people develop into adults with a lifetime commitment to sport and physical activity.
- High quality teaching
- High expectations of achievement levels and behaviour
- Good curriculum organization and planning
- Well defined system of assessment, recording and reporting which is shared with students
- An extensive extra curricular programme giving equality of opportunity
KEY STAGE 3
Two hours a week across eight different activities (ten-week blocks). Groups are generally taught in single sex classes apart from the low ability groups which are mixed for certain activities.
Each group will have the same teacher for all of the following - hockey, football, gymnastics/outdoor education, health related fitness, badminton, athletics and rounders. Netball will be included for girls and rugby for boys.
Attainments – above the national averages for KS3.
KEY STAGE 4
Physical Education: GCSE
Two hours a week. Students get four games options across the year in ten-week blocks. Options such as expedition training, dance, rugby, badminton, squash, swimming, rounders, tennis, volleyball and many more are offered throughout the year. Students also have a core PE lesson every week where they cover skill acquisition, team building and health related fitness in set blocks.
The Team has been highly successful in recent years and last year the pass rate was 98.5% A*-C with 80 students taking either the full or short course exam.
We currently follow the Edexcel syllabus in both courses and students get five hour -long lessons every fortnight.
We also offer students the opportunity to take a BTEC Sport and Leisure course and this has proved to be a great success.
SIXTH FORM
KEY STAGE 5
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Advanced Level
One hour per week enrichment programme. Activities offered include: Sports Leaders Award, BiLA Award; canoeing, sailing, fitness, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, football amongst others.
We have also been very successful in AS/A2 examinations, with last year’s A2 gaining 100% A-D.
We follow Edexcel at this level to ensure continuity.
Extra Curricular Activities
The Team prides itself on the rich and diverse programme of extra curricular activities that it offers. All students have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of competitive and non-competitive sports.
The College has developed an excellent reputation for sport at both district and county levels. On the sports field we have experienced success at county and district levels in football, rugby, hockey, netball, cross-country, squash athletics, cricket, horse riding and swimming. We often win fixtures against local rivals including sports colleges in Taunton and Bridgwater as well as independent schools such as Millfield and Kings College. This year our Sixth Form Football Team won the County Cup for the fourth year running and four of our Hockey Teams are County Champions.
Finally, our success is due to the excellent team spirit and dedication of both staff and students.