The PE Department comprises of eight members of staff and offers a broad, balanced, progressive, differentiated and relevant PE curriculum in both Key Stages.

Each year group has its own tailored Curriculum Map, which consists of a number of different activities set out over the course of the academic year. Each activity has its own scheme of work that takes into account the main objectives for each lesson in each activity with assessments taking place consistently throughout the block of work.

In Key Stage 3 pupils are taught in single sex classes, with a provision of three / four lessons per two-week period dependent on sets.

In Key Stage 4 core PE pupils are taught single sex classes, with a provision of three lessons per two-week period.

In Year 10, pupils have the option to opt for a number of sports courses; AQA GCSE or Sports Studies Cambridge National, Sports Science Cambridge National and AQA Technical Award in Dance.

Although the study of examination PE at GCSE is optional, Longfield is proud to have a cohort each year for all examination courses. Examination results for the department are consistently impressive with pupils often continuing their study at A-Level.

The PE teaching facilities consists of a state of the art 4-court badminton sized Sports Hall, a fitness suite, swimming pool, gymnasium, 5 floodlit tennis / netball courts and a floodlit full size football pitch. We also have an outdoor running track and multiple grass rugby and football pitches.

In addition to PE in curriculum time, pupils have the opportunity to participate in many extra-curricular clubs at lunchtimes and after school. The department is committed to providing pupils with real opportunities for using their talent across Intra and Inter Schools competitions, having great success in a range of sporting activities.

Learning Sequence Overview

Curriculum Plan

ear 6 to 7 Transition Stage 

When pupils arrive at Longfield they will take part in a series of baseline testing. They will complete a range of activities over a two week period; these will include swimming, games based activities, cross country, gymnastics and racket sports. After the two week period pupils will be set in ability groups.

The department will share the extra-curricular timetable with all pupils and they will be invited to attend the clubs and try out for any sports teams they may be interested in.

Rules & expectations

As a department we strive for high standards of behaviour and appearance in the pupils we teach. We recognise that as teachers we need to set and maintain the standards we expect pupils to follow. The department fully endorses and supports the whole school Code of Conduct.

Kit

All pupils should wear the correct PE kit that is specified in the school uniform policy and the pupil planner. Kit can only be bought from the school office. Kit comprises of a green and black polo shirt with Longfield School logo, black shorts, skort, leggings or tracksuit bottoms (all with Longfield Logo), black football socks and trainers/football boots. An optional Longfield long sleeved top may also be worn, in addition pupils will need black swim shorts / costume, goggles and a swim hat. Pupils must also have shinpads and a mouth guard as part of their PE kit.

If pupils arrive to lessons without part or all of their kit, this is recorded on ClassCharts, persistent offenders will be given detentions that will be arranged through the Pastoral Team and the PE Department at a time convenient to all parties.

If parents have financial difficulties in affording new kit then they should speak to Mrs Mason or Mr Lindsay who can investigate the possibility of financial aid. Pupils are not permitted to be excused for forgetting kit; they must be given kit from the spare kit boxes.

Jewellery

Pupils are not permitted to wear any jewellery in PE. They are reminded to take watches off before taking part in PE lessons. Due to health and safety reasons freshly pierced ears are not allowed to be covered by plasters, therefore, we recommend that if ears are to be pierced then they are done so at the start of the summer holidays, as stated in the school handbook. Pupils should not wear belly bars at any time.

Medical

All notes from parents should be taken seriously. Parents can communicate an illness or injury on paper or through the school planner. Any loose notes should be dated, with the pupil’s name written on and then stored by the teacher. If a member of staff doubts the legitimacy of a note they may contact the pupil’s parents to ask if a note has been given. We ask that if a pupil feels well enough to come to school that they bring their PE kit along as they may be able to participate in lessons as a coach or official.

Extra Curricular

The department offers a broad and balanced range of extra-curricular activities. By attending extra clubs pupils can join school teams or take part in activities to improve skill level, fitness and knowledge. Sessions are offered at lunch times and after school. We try to encourage as many pupils as possible to attend clubs and also encourage other members of staff to come and run clubs. Pupils who take part in clubs often have the chance to represent the Darlington town teams by attending trials. These clubs are often run by PE staff from various schools.

Lunch time clubs run from 12:20 – 12:50pm for all pupils. Pupils do not have to wear school PE kit for extra-curricular clubs, only when representing the school or they may be given a specific strip. As kit is expensive, they must be collected at the end of fixtures and is then washed in school. We also run a range of leadership qualifications and the Duke of Edinburgh Award on a lunchtime.

Interhouse

The department host and run various inter-house events throughout the year for Key Stage 3, aiming to involve as many pupils as possible. We encourage competition and pride between and within form classes. Tutors and other staff are encouraged to come along and help or support pupils. All points generated from the sporting Inter-house events contribute to the whole school inter-house points system and leagues

Sequence of Learning KS3 

Each year group has its own tailored Curriculum Map, which consists of a number of different activities set out over the course of the academic year. Each activity has its own scheme of work that takes into account the main objectives for each lesson in each activity. Schemes of work have differentiated learning objectives that link to the GCSE Specifications.

The Curriculum Maps and the accompanying scheme of work are designed to cater for a wide range of activity areas and differentiated approaches are used to aid pupil learning. Pupils are taught in single sex classes, with a provision of four / three lessons per two-week period. The scheme of work incorporates assessment opportunities including an end of activity core task that is assessed according to our in house grading system.

KS3 Intervention Programme 

Pupils will be encouraged to attend a range of extra – curricular clubs to improve their progress within PE. These may include:

1. Catch up swimming
2. Elite training
3. Specific sports teams
4. Fitness programmes

How can parents/carers help?

It is really important that pupils come prepared to all lessons with the appropriate kit and equipment. The department welcomes any support given to our pupils at any sporting fixture / events.

Sequence of Learning KS4

Pupils who have opted for GCSE PE will have 5 additional lessons of PE over the fortnight. These lessons will be predominately theory based lessons however practical lessons will be introduced where appropriate. Pupils will attain their practical marks during their core PE lessons. 

GCSE PE is taught in a number of topics, each topic has its own scheme of work. Schemes of work have differentiated learning objectives that link to the GCSE Specifications.

Pupils are taught in mixed classes, both theory and practically The Scheme of work incorporates assessment opportunities which use the GCSE grading criteria. Pupils may also be asked to attend some extra curricular activities for example, rock climbing.

KS4 Intervention Programme

Intervention will run on a specific lunchtime/after school session/during Core PE lessons. Pupils will be selected for these intervention session for the following reasons;

1. Missing coursework deadlines
2. Falling behind on coursework
3. G & T focussed intervention
4. 1:1 intervention based on individual pupils needs
5. Practical intervention

GCSE Specification

The department follows the AQA Specification which assesses pupils on both practical ability and theoretical knowledge. 40% of the course is a practical controlled assessment and pupils are assessed in one individual sport, one team sport and a third from either an individual or team sport. If pupils are to achieve their true potential in their chosen area, it is expected that students will be working on these areas outside of school hours, by attending clubs, training sessions and extra-curricular clubs. 10% of which is achieved by completing a ‘Performance Analysis Assessment’, a controlled assessment based on practical analysis. Pupils sit two external exams for the theory element of the course at the end of Year 11 representing 60% of the overall GCSE grade.

The syllabus is divided into 7 teaching blocks, each with its own block test. The blocks studied are as follows:

1. Anatomy
2. Physiology
3. Physical Training
4. Movement Analysis
5. Sports Psychology
6. Socio-Cultural Influences
7. Health, Fitness and Well-being

The department is becoming well-resourced to support pupils with their theoretical understanding and pupils are also encouraged to expand their sporting knowledge through various forms of media.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physical-education/gcse/physical-education-8582

Extra Information  

• GCSE 1-9 One Note
• GCSE Bite size PE
• BBC Sport

The following textbook would also benefit the pupils who have taken the course.

Pupils will be give homework on a fortnightly basis. This homework will be specific to the topic the pupils are working on. The homework could be an independent research based project which is set over a series of weeks to complete. 

How can parents/carers help? 

Pupils are encouraged to take up their sports outside of school to develop their practical ability.  It would be greatly appreciated if parents / careers could support the school in providing footage of their child competing in any external events.

Sequence of Learning KS4

Pupils who have opted for Sports Studies will have 5 additional lessons of PE over the fortnight. These lessons will be split into theory and practical lessons, usually a 3/2 split however this may vary throughout the course dependant on the classes needs. Pupils may attain some of their practical marks during their core PE lessons.

Sports Studies comprises of 4 units, each unit has its own scheme of work. Schemes of work have differentiated learning objectives that link to the Sports Studies Specifications.

Pupils are taught in mixed classes, both theory and practically. The Scheme of work incorporates assessment opportunities which use the Sports Studies grading criteria. Pupils may also be asked to attend some extra curricular activities, for example rock climbing.

KS4 Intervention Programme

Intervention will run on a specific lunchtime/after school session/during Core PE lessons. Pupils will be selected for these intervention session for the following reasons:

1. Missing coursework deadlines
2. Falling behind on coursework
3. Need additional support with exam preparation

GCSE Specification

The department follows the OCR Cambridge National Specification which assesses pupils on four units of work these consist of the following:

RO51: Contemporary issues in sport:  External unit which is assessed through an exam.

RO52: Practical Sport:  Pupils assessed on practical performance in one team, one individual, role of the official and a written piece of work on performance analysis.

RO53: Sports Leadership: Four tasks looking at roles associated with leadership, planning and leading a sports session and evaluating its effectiveness.

RO53: Sport and the Media:  Four written tasks investigating how sport is portrayed in the media.

The first unit is an externally examined unit works 25% of the overall grade, the following 3 units are worth 25% each and are coursework based. The overall grade is calculated on a points scheme based on the total over all 4 units.

Pupils receive a provision of five lessons per two-week period, the theory / practical split is very much determined by the unit being studied at various points of the year.

The grade boundaries for this course are as followed;

Extra Information

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/sport-studies-level-1-2-j803-j813/

https://www.sportsleaders.org/

The following textbook would also benefit the pupils who have taken the course.

How can parents/carers help?

Pupils will be give homework on a fortnightly basis. This homework will be specific to the unit the pupils are working on. The homework could be to research information for their coursework, complete coursework or exam questions for the exam unit.

Parents/carers can actively help pupils with their coursework by helping them come up with specific relevant sporting examples which they can use for their coursework.   Coursework can be reviewed and discussed at home.

Sequence of Learning KS4

Pupils who have opted for Sports Science will have 5 additional lessons of PE over the fortnight. These lessons will be split into theory and practical lessons, usually a 3/2 split however this may vary throughout the course dependant on the classes needs. 

Sports Science comprises of 4 units, each unit has its own scheme of work. Schemes of work have differentiated learning objectives that link to the Sports Science Specifications.

Pupils are taught in mixed classes, both theory and practically. The Scheme of work incorporates assessment opportunities which use the Sports Science grading criteria.

KS4 Intervention Programme 

Intervention will run on a specific lunchtime/after school session/during Core PE lessons. Pupils will be selected for these intervention session for the following reasons:

1. Missing coursework deadlines
2. Falling behind on coursework
3. Need for additional support with exam preparation (this will be identified through in class assessment and standard of work in lessons)

GCSE Specification  

The department follows the OCR Cambridge National Specification which assesses pupils on four units of work these consist of the following:

R041 – Sports injuries

R042 – Applying principles of training

R045 – Nutrition in Sport

R046 – Sport technology

The first unit is an externally examined unit works 25% of the overall grade, the following 3 units are worth 25% each and are coursework based. The overall grade is calculated on a points scheme based on the total over all 4 units.

The grade boundaries for this course are as followed;

Pupils receive a provision of five lessons per two-week period, the theory / practical split is very much determined by the unit being studied at various points of the year.

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-nationals/sport-science-level-1-2-j802-j812/

Extra Information

RO41: Reducing the risk of sport injuries

• sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses/courses-for-the-general-public/sports-first-aid.aspx
• Youtube.com

RO42: Applying Principles of training

• • https://www.brianmac.co.uk/eval.htm

The following textbook would also benefit the pupils who have taken the course.

How can parents/carers help?

Pupils will be give homework on a fortnightly basis. This homework will be specific to the unit the pupils are working on. The homework could be to research information for their coursework, complete coursework or exam style questions for the exam unit.

For all the coursework units pupils will be working on OneNote which can be accessed from home; parents will be able to see how their child is progressing.

Sequence of Learning KS4

Pupils who have opted for Dance will have 5 additional lessons of PE over the fortnight. These lessons will be split into theory and practical lessons, usually a 3/2 split however this may vary throughout the course dependant on the classes needs. 

Dance comprises of 3 units, each unit has its own scheme of work. Schemes of work have differentiated learning objectives that link to the AQA Technical Award in Performing Arts Specification.

Pupils are taught in mixed classes, both theory and practically. The Scheme of work incorporates assessment opportunities which use the Performing Arts grading criteria. Pupils may also be asked to attend some extra curricular activities, for example Longfield Live and Darlington Dance Festival.

KS4 Intervention Programme 

Intervention will run on a specific lunchtime/after school session/during Core PE lessons. Pupils will be selected for these intervention session for the following reasons;

1. Missing coursework deadlines
2. Falling behind on coursework
3. Need for additional support with exam preparation (this will be identified through in class assessment and standard of work in lessons)

GCSE Specification  

The department follows the AQA Technical Award in Performing Arts which assesses pupils over three units of work these consist of the following:

Unit 1 – Unlocking Creativity

Unit 2 – Performance and Production

Unit 3 – The performing Arts Experience (externally assessed)

The first unit is an externally examined unit works 50% of the overall grade, the following 2 units are worth 25% each and are coursework based. The overall grade is calculated on a points scheme based on the total over all 3 units.

Pupils receive a provision of five lessons per two-week period, the theory / practical split is very much determined by the unit being studied at various points of the year.

Extra Information

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/performing-arts/technical-award/performing-arts-3745

https://www.dancecity.co.uk/

How can parents/carers help?

Parents can actively help pupils with their coursework by helping them come up with specific relevant sporting examples which they can use for their coursework.   Coursework can be reviewed and discussed at home.