Physical Education

Highgate Wood School has a very active, and a very successful, PE department.

The Physical Education Department seeks to develop student knowledge and understanding of the importance of leading a healthy and physically active lifestyle. The curriculum allows students to develop confidence and excel in a diverse range of physical activities. We explore and master different techniques and students are introduced to tactical, strategic and chorographical concepts to help improve their performance.

Students develop and master skills through a range of sporting activities that are played globally. They are taught to think analytically, and identify strengths and understand areas of weakness, implementing and carrying out plans for improvement. Students compete competitively and are challenged to think intellectually, when faced with a problem or opponent. By using competition students build confidence and resilience in the face of adversity, whilst imbedding values such as fairness and respect. PE also offers and encourages all students to participate in extra-curricular activities and to represent the school in local, regional and national competitions, all of which underpin what is taught in lessons.

By studying a diverse and inclusive PE curriculum students are provided with the fundamental skills and interest needed to continue their participation in physical activity after HWS. By challenging them to think critically and evaluate their own and peer performances, to work individually and in groups, students learn key skills in independence and how to work effectively as part of a team. By embedding in practise and challenging students on what it means to lead a healthy, active life, students will have the knowledge to complement their lives, realise their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life and make a productive contribution to their communities.

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School teams consistently perform exceptionally well in local and borough events and many of our students have gone on to succeed in careers in sport. There are many extra-curricular opportunities for students which has been extended even further due to the installation of our All Weather Pitch.
PE is taught to all students in Year 7, 8 and 9. In Year 9 students decide whether to follow a GCSE course in PE or to continue their experience of sport in core PE.

Whilst only some students will be studying GCSE PE, all students at Key Stage 4 take part in PE lessons, building on the foundations established at KS3 and developing their fitness, endurance, physical skills and
personal development. It is true what they say about a healthy body making a healthy mind and all students are encouraged to take their opportunities in PE seriously. There are also morning and afternoon sports clubs for Key Stage 4 students.

Broad and topical theory content that keeps students engaged, whilst also teaching about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. There is a vast choice of roles and activities for practical assessment catering for a wide variety of individual needs. There is lots of Sports Science content, so the course is not just about practical ability. A great way to gain a deep understanding of sport holistically, especially if you have a desire to study any career
path surrounding sport at university GCSE PE students have an additional 6 lessons of PE per fortnight on top of their core PE lessons. The course takes place over two years and consists of practical and theoretical components.

Practical Component

  • Students are assessed in three assessment activities. One must be a team activity, one an individual activity and the third assessment can be from either. For practical assessments, candidates will be assessed on a variety of criteria:
  • Acquiring and developing skills and techniques;
  • Evaluating and adapting their own performance;
  • Demonstrating an understanding and practical application of the rules/laws and conventions of the physical activity;
  • Demonstrating an understanding of health and safety issues and their practical application.

Not only will candidates develop and improve their skills, fitness and understanding within the sporting activities covered, they will also acquire vital life skills such as communication, cooperation, leadership and teamwork. You will be marked out of 10 for each practical sport you perform in.

Team activity list

Association football, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Dance, Gaelic football, Handball, Hockey, Hurling, Lacrosse, Netball, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union , Squash, Table tennis, Tennis, Volleyball.

Individual activity list

Amateur boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Canoeing/kayaking (slalom), Canoeing/kayaking (sprint), Cycling, Dance, Diving, Golf, Gymnastics (artistic), Equestrian, Rock climbing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Trampolining.

Course Assessment:

Theory: 60%
Practical: 40% (this includes one individual sport, one team sport and one more of either)

Our AS and A-level Physical Education qualifications allow students to play to their strengths and gain dynamic theoretical and practical skills for further education or work.  Applying anatomical, physiological and psychological theories to sporting activities, the course also explores what contributes to an active and healthy lifestyle and provides an insight into movement, behaviour and technology in relation to sport and play as well as providing lots of opportunities for students to optimise their own practical performance A Level PE leads onto many sports-related degrees and medical-related courses such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy. In addition, the variety of skills developed through PE are valuable for many other higher education pathways.

Subject content:

  • Applied anatomy and physiology
  • Skill acquisition
  • Sport and society
  • Exercise physiology
  • Biomechanical movement
  • Sport psychology
  • Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport
Key Stage 3

School teams consistently perform exceptionally well in local and borough events and many of our students have gone on to succeed in careers in sport. There are many extra-curricular opportunities for students which has been extended even further due to the installation of our All Weather Pitch.
PE is taught to all students in Year 7, 8 and 9. In Year 9 students decide whether to follow a GCSE course in PE or to continue their experience of sport in core PE.

Key Stage 4

Whilst only some students will be studying GCSE PE, all students at Key Stage 4 take part in PE lessons, building on the foundations established at KS3 and developing their fitness, endurance, physical skills and
personal development. It is true what they say about a healthy body making a healthy mind and all students are encouraged to take their opportunities in PE seriously. There are also morning and afternoon sports clubs for Key Stage 4 students.

Broad and topical theory content that keeps students engaged, whilst also teaching about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle. There is a vast choice of roles and activities for practical assessment catering for a wide variety of individual needs. There is lots of Sports Science content, so the course is not just about practical ability. A great way to gain a deep understanding of sport holistically, especially if you have a desire to study any career
path surrounding sport at university GCSE PE students have an additional 6 lessons of PE per fortnight on top of their core PE lessons. The course takes place over two years and consists of practical and theoretical components.

Practical Component

  • Students are assessed in three assessment activities. One must be a team activity, one an individual activity and the third assessment can be from either. For practical assessments, candidates will be assessed on a variety of criteria:
  • Acquiring and developing skills and techniques;
  • Evaluating and adapting their own performance;
  • Demonstrating an understanding and practical application of the rules/laws and conventions of the physical activity;
  • Demonstrating an understanding of health and safety issues and their practical application.

Not only will candidates develop and improve their skills, fitness and understanding within the sporting activities covered, they will also acquire vital life skills such as communication, cooperation, leadership and teamwork. You will be marked out of 10 for each practical sport you perform in.

Team activity list

Association football, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Dance, Gaelic football, Handball, Hockey, Hurling, Lacrosse, Netball, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union , Squash, Table tennis, Tennis, Volleyball.

Individual activity list

Amateur boxing, Athletics, Badminton, Canoeing/kayaking (slalom), Canoeing/kayaking (sprint), Cycling, Dance, Diving, Golf, Gymnastics (artistic), Equestrian, Rock climbing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Trampolining.

Course Assessment:

Theory: 60%
Practical: 40% (this includes one individual sport, one team sport and one more of either)

Key Stage 5

Our AS and A-level Physical Education qualifications allow students to play to their strengths and gain dynamic theoretical and practical skills for further education or work.  Applying anatomical, physiological and psychological theories to sporting activities, the course also explores what contributes to an active and healthy lifestyle and provides an insight into movement, behaviour and technology in relation to sport and play as well as providing lots of opportunities for students to optimise their own practical performance A Level PE leads onto many sports-related degrees and medical-related courses such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy. In addition, the variety of skills developed through PE are valuable for many other higher education pathways.

Subject content:

  • Applied anatomy and physiology
  • Skill acquisition
  • Sport and society
  • Exercise physiology
  • Biomechanical movement
  • Sport psychology
  • Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

Additional Information

School teams consistently perform exceptionally well in local and borough events and many of our students have gone on to succeed in careers in sport. There are many extra-curricular opportunities for students which has been extended even further due to the installation of our All Weather Pitch.

PE is taught to all students in Year 7, 8 and 9. In Year 9 students decide whether to follow a GCSE course in PE or to continue their experience of sport in core PE.

The department also offers PE at post-16 for those students who show a particular aptitude for the subject.