Sports Studies

Increased leisure time, the importance of sport within society and an increasing awareness of the relevance of exercise to health and fitness, make sport an interesting vocational area of study.

What is the study of sport and physical education?

This specification provides a course of study which expands on many of the ideas and concepts encountered during the Key Stage 3 and 4 physical education courses. It provides a transition for those intending to study related courses in higher education and for others it provides a balanced, broad based course, worthwhile in its own right. Candidates will further their knowledge and understanding of the importance of exercise and activity to their personal, social and mental health and well-being. They will develop a field of knowledge which derives its information from a variety of academic disciplines and related sources and in turn allows application to problems and issues in the contemporary world of sport.

What does it involve?

The aims of the course of study are that by learning in, about and through a range of physical activities candidates should be able to
• Develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the factors which influence the equality of performance
• Apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to a range of activities to improve performance
• Evaluate performance and plan for the improvement of it
• Develop an understanding of the socio-cultural, moral, global and contemporary factors in physical education, which affects participation in and provision for sport and physical activity

In the AS modules of learning candidates will be concerned with identifying the factors which affect the establishment and improvement of performance at the foundation level of participation.

The A2 modules of learning extend a candidate’s knowledge to enable them to identify the factors which lead to elite performance.

It is envisaged that the normal pattern of assessment will be for candidates to complete AS at the end of their first year of study and A2 at the end of their second year of study. However, modular assessment is available for both AS and A2.

Owing to the broad nature of the subject, a student will normally be expected to have obtained at least a grade B at GCSE in biology (or Dual Award Science) and maths. The demands of the examination also require students to write in a reasoned and well-structured manner.

We also require students to have a determined approach to physical activity through participation in school teams or through a sporting discipline outside of School.

Where might it lead?

The course is both wide-ranging and challenging: the variety of skills and knowledge gained is a most thorough preparation for sport-related courses, for example recreation and leisure management, PE teaching and the health-care industry. Recent students have gone on to study law, physiotherapy and business.

Sport and physical education is regarded as a qualification for university entrance in the same way as any other subject and in conjunction with perhaps more traditionally academic courses it would reflect favourably upon the candidate, indicating a whole breadth of interest and exercise.

For details of the A Level curriculum please visit www.aqa.org.uk