Physical & Outdoor Education

The Physical & Outdoor  Education Faculty

Faculty Ethos:

The Physical and Outdoor Education Faculty provides a broad and balanced programme of activities that students will find challenging, enjoyable and satisfying. Students of all abilities are encouraged to become fully involved and given the opportunity to develop physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively through sport and physical activity.

Curriculum overview:

• KS3 - 5 lessons per cycle
• KS4 - 5 lessons of core PE per cycle
• KS4 (options) - 7 lessons per cycle, plus additional revision sessions.

Options offered at KS4:

• GCSE Physical Education (AQA)
• BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Sport (Pearson)

Topics covered:

The National Curriculum requirements are met at both KS3 and KS4. Throughout the academic year all students will follow a balanced programme of activities chosen to provide enjoyment and satisfaction which encourages students to develop a positive attitude to Physical & Outdoor Education and Sport.

Students will follow courses in four areas of activity:

• Health Related Fitness.
• OAA.
• Athletics.
• Games (rounders, cricket, football, handball, badminton, basketball, table tennis and softball).

The aim for all students is to gain an understanding of and develop the techniques used in each activity through the process of planning, performing, officiating and evaluating.

The curriculum develops a range of subject specific skills and it also helps students develop their confidence, leadership skills, decision making, teamwork, and the motivation to try and excel as individuals.

KS3

At KS3 there are four areas of activity followed ranging from Orienteering to Table Tennis. For Orienteering there are over twenty control points placed around the school grounds to cater for different orienteering courses.

KS4

AT KS4 there are elements of choice, giving opportunities to develop new skills and build on existing skills. All students follow courses in Health Related Fitness and Athletics.

The Physical and Outdoor Education Faculty has maintained good links with local sports clubs and has visiting coaches from Manchester Futsal Club and Lancashire Cricket Club to enhance the curriculum. We have also established links with Burnage Rugby Club and use their facilities to offer alternative activities for pupils, such as rugby and foot-golf. These are offered to pupils in Years 9 and 10 over a six week period, encouraging pupils to take part in a sport or activity that they have never taken part in before.

Extra-curricular:

The faculty provides an extensive extra-curricular programme at lunch-times and at the end of each school day. There is a wide range of activities offered to the students which provides opportunities for achievement at high levels both for teams and individuals. Students in each year group take part in a programme of inter-house competitions throughout the academic year representing their respective forms/house.

There are clubs/teams in:

• Athletics
• Football
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Climbing
• Tennis
• Table Tennis
• Indoor Rowing
• Badminton.

School teams enter various competitions throughout the academic year through the Manchester PE Association and play intra-school fixtures after the school day has finished. Climbing sessions are held every Thursday after school on our purpose-built climbing wall by qualified members of staff, and pupils have the opportunity to take the National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes once they have developed their climbing skills and technique when climbing different graded routes.

Pupils in Years 9 and 10 have the opportunity to take part in the Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which is led by fully qualified staff. The school has established strong links with the Duke of Edinburgh Award team in Liverpool. Pupils in Year 8 have the opportunity to go on a two day residential at the school's outdoor centre in Buxworth, Derbyshire. They attend Rope Race in Marple, Stockport where they take part in Archery and Canoeing. They will also take part in a hike around Derbyshire and stay overnight.

 

Physical Education Staff:

Mr A Trainor - Head of PE

Mr P Johnson - Second in Faculty

Mr J Hylton - PE teacher/Outdoor Education Co-ordinator

Mr D Lingenfelter - Assistant Headteacher / Teacher of PE