Subject Title: Sport

Lead Teacher: Mr P Lamb

Examining Body: Edexcel 1827/3827

Level: GCSE

Why should I study this subject?
If you are interested in a career in sport – athlete, professional footballer, coach, physiotherapist, dancer, sports journalist, leisure centre employee or manager, PE teacher, sports leader or youth worker – this course is for you.
If you are keen on sport and want to improve your performances above and beyond what can be achieved in your PE lesson alone, this course will give you the opportunity to understand how to train smarter, perform better and develop your confidence in helping others to improve.

What use will a qualification in this subject be to me when I leave school?
The Health & Fitness Industry is one of the largest growing industries in the country. Being an informed practitioner or spectator, who not only knows what it is like to produce a top quality performance but can also explain how that performance is achieved, is the key to being an effective coach or activity leader.
Both Yorkshire Coast College and 6th Form College run Level 2 Sports Leader Award or Armed Services Award courses that can be followed in conjunction with other options. GCSE Sport students will already possess a large knowledge base to support their work on these courses.

How will this subject be taught and what will be expected from me?
This is a challenging course that requires you to be physically talented, to be passionate about sport and physical activity and expects you to develop an understanding of how your body operates and the ways in which you can improve your own or others’ performances.
You will be expected to perform advanced skills consistently well across a range of activities and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of how the body reacts to exercise and training, through completion of a Personal Exercise Plan and in answering questions on a written exam paper.
The majority of teaching is done through the practical performances but some classroom-based lessons are required to expand upon and record key information. Every six weeks, all students will be expected to prepare, undertake, monitor and evaluate a Personal Exercise Plan that they should also refer to when undertaking their Performance Analysis.
Regular activity in the practical lessons, demonstrating due regard for Health and Safety at all times, is paramount. Students are also expected to be committed to and fully engaged in the school’s extra curricular programme, as well as regularly participating in sports in the wider community.
Students complete the Short Course in Yr 10, extending this to the Full Course in Yr 11.

How will the work be marked and assessed?

• 25% Practical Assessment through on-going assessment of your performance in the units of work. (Lesson by lesson observations and assessment.)
• 10% Performance Analysis – where you complete a written project, watch, analyse and evaluate a performance giving diagnostic advice about how that performance can be improved.
• 25% Final Practical Assessment – a moderated performance judged by the staff and a visiting assessor. (Exam condition practical assessments in April 2008.)
• 40% Written Theory Paper (3827 – Short Course Multiple choice; 1827 – Full Course extended answer question paper.)
• Short Course (3827) = Practical Assessment in TWO activities from two areas of activity.
• Full Course (1827) = Practical Assessment in FOUR activities from two areas of activity.

Students will undertake some Level 1 Sports Leaders Award training but will be expected to contribute to the cost of their log books and BST affiliation, if they go forward to the assessments.