Open each section to read the full curriculum outline for that key stage.
At JFS, Key Stage 3 Physical Education provides pupils with a dynamic and inclusive experience designed to build confidence, competence, and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity. Pupils take part in a wide range of sports and physical activities, including team games, individual sports, fitness training, dance, and athletics. The curriculum is carefully structured to develop key physical skills, tactical understanding, and personal and social responsibility. PE lessons foster resilience, teamwork, and communication through purposeful challenges and competitive situations. Our programme highlights the importance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Pupils are introduced to health-related fitness and encouraged to make informed lifestyle choices. They are also empowered to take ownership of their learning by tracking their own progress using PE Passports. Assessment focuses on practical performance, leadership, analytical thinking, and the ability to evaluate and improve. A particular emphasis is placed on cross-curricular learning, with pupils making links to subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Geography, PSHE, and English through topics including anatomy and physiology, data analysis, nutrition, performance evaluation, and communication. Pupils are also introduced to the wide range of career opportunities within the sport, health, fitness, leisure, and education sectors, helping them understand how the skills developed in PE can support future pathways. All pupils have the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular clubs and represent the school in sporting competitions. The KS3 curriculum provides strong foundations for further study in PE and Dance at GCSE level and beyond.
Note – Students may only choose one PE-based course i.e. GCSE PE or Cambridge National Certificate in PE or GCSE Dance.
Course Breakdown
60% Theory + 30% Practical + 10% Coursework
Students who apply to take a GCSE in Physical Education will undertake a range of practical activities, offering three for assessment, comprising of one team activity, one individual activity and one free choice. They will be required to show advanced skills within the context of the activity and demonstrate their abilities in increasingly challenging situations. They will also undertake a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP). Students will be expected to apply the theoretical aspects of exercise and training to their class activities. All GCSE students are expected to be involved in extra-curricular activities in order to improve their practical grades.
Course Content and Assessments
The course consists of both theory and practical aspects. There are five timetabled GCSE P.E. lessons, in addition to two core P.E. lessons per fortnight.
Two written papers totalling 60% - The Theory section of the course covers the following:
A Level Physical Education equips our students with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of physical education. The course will:
• develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical
activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance
• understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance
• understand the key socio-cultural factors that influence people's involvement in physical activity and sport
• understand the role of technology in physical activity and sport
• refine their ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques and
selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas
• develop their ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance
• understand the contribution which physical activity makes to health and fitness
• improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds.
This course provides an excellent preparation for careers within the sport and fitness industries and can support entry into higher education. It is a vocationally delivered course and therefore develops the skills and knowledge students will need to thrive in a professional sports and fitness environment. Students are assessed through written exams, project practical assessments and assignments based upon real-life sporting scenarios. JFS has a thriving sport department with outstanding facilities. This course is equivalent to one A level.