Physical Education

Physical Education is much more than movement and physical ‘play’. Physical Education promotes social connections, self-confidence and encourages pupils to push themselves both physically and cognitively beyond their own expectations in a way that promotes open mindedness and a growth mind-set. Being regularly active supports mental well-being, reducing stress, depression, anxiety and increasing self-belief. Exercise stimulates brain plasticity boosting our thinking and memory capacities. At University of Birmingham School, we are passionate about enhancing the well-roundedness of every child through Physical Education, amidst a broad, balanced and inspiring curriculum that aims to promote a lifelong love of being physically active.

At the forefront of Physical Education at University of School is the importance to develop pupils’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of sports and physical activities. By inspiring a positive approach to physical activity both in and out of school, Physical Education ultimately contributes to the pursuit of a healthy, active lifestyle, so that physical activity becomes a central part of all pupils’ lives.

The Physical Education curriculum at University of Birmingham School enables all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity and ultimately enrich their character through a journey that inspires all young people to become the best versions of themselves. We aim to achieve this by bolstering a growth mind-set attitude in all aspects of teaching and learning to ensure every individual feels valued and is indeed challenged within our subject.

Physical Education at University of Birmingham School guides pupils to develop personally and socially. They will work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness, empathy and of personal and social responsibility.

Pupils learn how to think in different ways across a wide variety of creative, competitive and challenging activities. Pupils always work vigorously enough physically to contribute to health and wellbeing and push themselves out of their comfort zone.

Pupils take on different roles and responsibilities, including analyst, leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that Physical Education offers, our young people learn how to be effective communicators, negotiators and drive ideas forward professionally, with empathy.

Through Physical Education lessons, our pupils are encouraged to discover what they like to do, what their aptitudes are and how and where to get involved in physical activity beyond school, to help them make informed choices about lifelong participation and aspiration in the sporting world. Importantly, all pupils reflect on their learning and link their experiences within Physical Education to life, and their daily responsibilities as good citizens, within a diverse and ever challenging world.

At Key Stage 3, pupil’s journey through three distinct themes that contribute towards their knowledge, skills and personal flourishing. The year 7 curriculum purposely steers pupils towards a widening awareness and knowledge of a range of sports and physical activities, to enhance their self-confidence, inspire an enjoyment of being active and unlock pupil potential.  The year 8 curriculum strengthens these foundations, across an equally broad sporting and physical activity range requiring pupils to unpick the detail of skills and techniques to enhance both practical and cognitive flourishing. Pupils learn to connect anatomy and physiology knowledge to sporting scenarios and develop an appreciation of the academic stature of the subject. Year 9 steers pupils towards an understanding of and skill development for personal and peer leadership. Pupils harness their communication, cooperation and appreciation of others as they learn how to make choices, commit to decisions and positively impact their own and others practical and cognitive development. Pupils widen their awareness of future options surrounding their involvement in sport and physical activity, in pursuit of a healthy active lifestyle that suites their interests and career aspirations. Subsequently, pupils opt into a route that matches their interests and aspirations and gain a sporting qualification aligned with this.

At Key Stage 4, for core Physical Education our focus shift towards grounding the reasoning for healthy active lifestyle habits, through a program offer of less mainstream forms of physical activity and sport. By widening awareness, appreciation and understanding of how to maintain personal health and well-being, the curriculum aims to continue to motivate and inspire pupils to remain physically active for personal health and well-being. Pupils apply their knowledge and learning from key stage 3 in order to make informed decisions that enable Physical Education and engagement in physical activity and sport to benefit their wider studies, promoting academic and personal flourishing. In year 11, we pursue healthy active lifestyle habits in our community. Physical Education lessons become a bridging opportunity between structured Physical Education lesson and community involvement, preparing our young people with the knowledge and confidence to retain active habits post-16.

There are two options for Key Stage 4 examination Physical Education. Purposefully, GCSE OCR PE and Cambridge National Sports Studies which complement each other to meet the interests, strengths and career aspirations of our pupils.

Sports Studies: This examination option is best suited to those pupils who enjoy leadership opportunities and thrive in continuous coursework based assessments. Pupils who typically select Sports Studies are those who enjoy sporting opportunities aligned with school, such as regularly attending after school clubs and fixtures. Please see the Key Stage 4 options pathways page here for more information.

GCSE Physical Education: This examination option is best suited to those pupils who enjoy the science behind sporting performance and thrive in a combination of examinations and ongoing practical assessment. Pupils who typically select GCSE PE are those who enjoy sporting opportunities outside of school, regularly attending weekly coaching and competing in local sporting leagues.  Please see the Key Stage 4 options pathways page here for more information.

Key Stage 5 Physical Education, sport and physical activity options endeavour to encourage students in sixth form to maintain positive habits. Using student voice as the vehicle to direct the curriculum offering, weekly opportunities within school encourage students to maintain healthy active lifestyle habits.