Standard Grade Physical Education

The two year Standard Grade course in Physical Education is offered at Credit/General/Foundation level.  It comprises a minimum of five elements of study taken from the following nine categories  :  Gymnastics, Dance, Water-Based Activities (Swimming), Outdoor Pursuits, Individual Activities : Directly Competitive (Badminton), Individual Activities : Indirectly Competitive, Team Games : Indoor (Basketball or Netball), Team Games :  Outdoor (Hockey and Softball).

The main aim of the course is to enable pupils to improve their performance in a range of physical activities and through critical and imaginative practice come to know and understand the principles involved and how they are applied in Physical Education.

The specific aims are to enable pupils :

To improve their physical performance -                     

by developing the abilities underlying those skills which are fundamental to physical activities and by practising and refining techniques.

Achievement of competence can be considered in three associated forms of movement :

1. Basic movement patterns e.g. running, throwing, jumping. 

2. Discrete physical skills for example, a "lay-up" shot in basketball.

3. Applied skills in context.                                                                        

To know and understand the principles involved.

by participating in a range of practical activities individually and with others, in ways which make various demands on them.

As a result of taking part in a Physical Education course, pupils should have acquired through first hand experience a body of knowledge about their ability to operate successfully in each.

1. The Body                                           

2. Skills

3. Activities               

To identify and distinguish different abilities.            

by evaluating their own performance and that of others.

The purpose of evaluating is to help pupils to produce a coherent description and thereafter to suggest ways in which a particular performance might be improved.

To enhance their affective development.

by sharing their ideas, communicating their decisions and coming to terms with their responses to various types of challenge.

ASSESSMENT                                                         

Pupils will be assessed in practical performance by members of the Physical Education staff.              

In the elements of Knowledge and Understanding and Evaluation, there is an externally set examination.

Throughout the course, which contains a considerable amount of theory work, pupils will be assessed in their theoretical work regularly.

The theory work is covered in a classroom period once per week to reinforce the learning that takes place in practical periods.  50% of the overall course grade is achieved through evaluation and knowledge and understanding assessment and therefore cannot be taken lightly.

Pupils should note that the course is best suited to those who are “serious about improving their performance” in a wide range of physical activities including swimming.  50% of the overall course grade is achieved through pupil’s performance as a P.E. student.  An extremely co-operative participation is necessary in all activities. Pupils who have not displayed the correct positive attitude and behaviour in S2 are advised not to choose this course option.

Where staffing and timetabling arrangements permit, a course designed for an all female class will be offered. This course will meet the necessary SQA criteria but will offer activities such as dance and netball. In the recent past selecting P.E. in column 8 has allowed us to make an arrangement for an all boys group and an all girls group.