Our high-quality Physical Education curriculum inspires all students to succeed and provides an opportunity to compete in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. We provide opportunities for students to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. We encourage students to compete in sport and participate in physical activity to maintain healthy lifestyle habits for life. 

As a department we intend to give all our students the knowledge and skills necessary to live an active, healthy life now and into their future.  

We will do this by: 

  • Providing a wide range of experiences in sports and activities including; team and individual games, swimming, performance-based sports, dance and OAA
  • Making sure all our PE lessons have high levels of physical activity. We want our students to experience the short-term effects of exercise in our lessons and reassure them this is a normal, good response
  • Develop students foundational movement patterns throughout their school career 
  • Provide students with the experience of competitive sport through a range of House competitions, inter school competitions both local and national

In PE, students learn increasingly intelligent movement and important knowledge that can reduce barriers to participation and inform their own healthy, active lifestyle choices. PE provides a gateway into the world of sport and physical activity 

Our focus on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to lead an active, healthy life both now and into the student's future has come as a response to the local statistics on overweight and obesity. According to the Child Health Profile for our area, 45.2% of 11-year-olds are overweight or obese, this rises to over 75% in adulthood. 

As a result, students in Year 10 and 11 opting to study academic PE now complete a course in Health and Fitness and our curriculum core PE curriculum is sequenced to cover this theoretical content from Year 7. Students undertake up to 12 activities a year offering a vast breadth of experiences for all so that every student, regardless of their starting point can have the best possible opportunity at finding a physical activity they enjoy taking part in and can continue to undertake for the rest of their life.  

In a high quality PE lesson you will see the lesson start with a warmup to encourage students to raise their heart rate. You will see the teacher model the skill and adapt the tasks for all student's ability levels.  

Throughout KS3 students complete up to 12 different activities a year. At the end of each half term the students are assessed on the two sports they have completed during that half term by using the Heads, Hands and Hearts model. This model has been adapted to fit the context of Alsop High School and allows all students, regardless of their practical ability, to be able to gain progress and success.  

  • Heads – How well do you understand how to perform and improve skills? How well do you use your creativity and problem-solving skills? 
  • Heart - How well do you work and lead other students? Are you well motivated and able to overcome challenges? Can you motivate others? 
  • Hands - How healthy are you? Are you fit enough to participate in a range of physical activities? How effective are you in competitive game situations? How well are you able to perform skills? 

 

The assessments are specific to the activity they’re completing to give the students a clear understanding of how they can develop.  

Students are encouraged to attend extracurricular activities that are on offer at lunchtimes and after school every day. The extracurricular timetable is shared with students regularly and changes based on pupil voice and the seasons sports.  

In addition, we give our students the opportunities to experience competitive sport through the house system and LSSP events.  

We also enter governing body competitions like the PlayStation National Cup for boys and girls football teams.  

To further enrich our students experiences we also use targeted interventions to ensure we give every student the opportunity to learn how to swim and how to ride a bicycle. Nationally, there is a rapid increase in the amount of young people leaving KS2 not meeting the minimum requirement for swimming, so we offer these students the opportunity to learn through our intervention. We also focus on the importance of Water Safety to ensure they have the key LifeSkills to survive if they ever fell into water. 

Annually, we run an international ski trip to take the learning beyond the classroom. The trip fosters social connections, responsibility, and independence and provides an opportunity to explore nature, learn about the environment and appreciate different cultures.

Studying Physical Education (PE) in high school opens a variety of career paths, both directly related to fitness and sports as well as in broader fields that value physical health and wellness. Here are some career options you can pursue after studying Physical Education: 

1. Sports and Fitness Careers 

  • Sports Coach: Coaching at the school, collegiate, or professional level, specializing in a particular sport (e.g., football, basketball, soccer, tennis). 
  • Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor: Helping individuals or groups improve their fitness through personalised training plans, often in gyms, private studios or even remotely. 
  • Athletic Trainer: Working with athletes to prevent, diagnose and treat sports-related injuries. 
  • Sports Psychologist: Specialising in mental health and motivation for athletes, helping them improve focus, performance, and mental resilience. 
  • Sports Nutritionist/Dietitian: Advising athletes on diet and nutrition to enhance performance and promote overall health. 
  • Exercise Physiologist: Studying how exercise affects the human body, helping individuals with chronic conditions, injuries or in rehabilitation settings. 

2. Health and Wellness Careers 

  • Health Educator: Promoting wellness and healthy lifestyle choices in schools, communities, or healthcare settings through educational programs and campaigns. 
  • Public Health Professional: Working on initiatives that promote physical activity, reduce sedentary lifestyles and improve health at the population level. 
  • Rehabilitation Specialist/Physical Therapist: Assisting patients with recovery from injuries or surgeries through exercise, stretching and other treatments to improve movement and strength. 
  • Occupational Therapist: Helping people regain or develop skills needed for daily activities, often after injury or illness, focusing on physical function and movement. 

3. Sport Management and Administration 

  • Sport Manager/Administrator: Managing sports teams, facilities, or organizations, including overseeing operations, budgets, and programs for community, college or professional sports. 
  • Event Coordinator: Organizing and coordinating sports events, competitions, or tournaments, ensuring logistics, scheduling and promotion are in place. 
  • Facility Manager: Overseeing the management of sports complexes, gyms, or recreation centres, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction. 

4. Education and Teaching 

  • Physical Education Teacher: Teaching PE in schools, from elementary to high school levels, and guiding students in physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles. 
  • Sports Education Instructor: Teaching specialized courses on coaching, sports science, or fitness management at the college or university level. 
  • Recreation Director: Organizing physical activities, sports leagues, and recreational programs in schools, parks and community centres. 

5. Outdoor and Adventure Careers 

  • Outdoor Recreation Guide: Leading outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing, and ensuring participants' safety and enjoyment. 
  • Park Ranger: Working in national or state parks to manage outdoor spaces, educate the public, and protect natural environments. 
  • Adventure Program Director: Organizing and leading adventure-based programs that promote teamwork, physical activity and personal growth. 

6. Sports Media and Journalism 

  • Sports Journalist: Writing or broadcasting about sports events, teams, and athletes for news outlets, magazines, or online platforms. 
  • Sports Commentator/Analyst: Providing live commentary or analysis for sports events on television, radio or digital media. 

7. Specialised Careers 

  • Kinesiologist: Studying human movement and applying this knowledge to help people improve their mobility, prevent injuries or recover from health issues. 
  • Biomechanics Specialist: Analysing the mechanics of body movement, often working with athletes or in rehabilitation settings to optimize performance or prevent injury. 

8. Entrepreneurial Careers 

  • Gym Owner: Opening and managing a fitness facility, offering personal training, group classes or wellness programs. 
  • Sports Equipment Retailer: Running a business that sells sporting goods or fitness equipment.