Why We Study PE:

The department delivers physical activity, wellbeing and sport through the PESSPA curriculum in order to fulfil its vision of adding years to life and life to years.  So many aspects of our lives are benefited from by having a physically active life, not least our general wellbeing and academic achievement.  For our pupils, PESSPA is not just about learning the skills of sport but also the values, life skills, character and fitness that derive from the learning of, and taking part in physical activity.   

What We Study:

During KS3 and KS4 Core PE lessons pupils follow a YST My Personal Best curriculum model.   My Personal Best aims to develop life skills, leadership and employability skills in young people through core curriculum PE such as empathy, self-motivation, resilience, communication and collaboration.  This however does not come at the cost of teaching skills, tactics, strategies and rules, which are vital in producing future performers, coaches and officials.  PE lessons should be no less physically demanding.  Each half-term the department will focus on a couple of the character traits and use the activity as the vehicle to deliver this.  It is expected that pupils will receive a broad and balanced curriculum within the subject which will allow them to progress onto examination courses and/or life-long enjoyment of wellbeing.  Away from lesson time these traits and the School Games values are further learnt through pupils’ engagement in  additional curriculum activities, sports fixtures, the Duke of Edinburgh award, trips and leadership opportunities.  

How We Study It:

Pupils in KS3 are taught in mixed gender groups for the majority of their PE lessons and broadly single gender groups for Games lessons.  However we pride ourselves on having the flexibility to change our groupings to suit pupils’ needs and interests.  

Competition is a big part of life and we encourage all pupils to engage in events throughout their time in school and out of school, but always within the School Games values.  Events such as Games Day and Sports Day or Peninsula Partnership leagues or Cornwall School Games.  We offer numerous popular clubs for pupils to be physically active away from lessons and aspire to offer each pupil a place in such an activity.  In Year 9 pupils are able to take a leadership module and complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award; in Year 10 and 11 we offer a Level 2 Tech Award in Sport, Fitness and Physical Activity.

KS3 & 4 PE is assessed in accordance with the matrix below.  Some MyPB qualities are assessed throughout the year, whereas others are assessed once during the year following delivery over a term.  This continues to place physical activity and teamwork elements of the subject in the primacy.  The pupils initially self assess using Google Classroom a rubric and provide evidence, whilst their teacher also carries out an assessment using the same tool.  

PE Feedback Policy 

As a department our primary aim in regards to feedback is to help students move forward in their learning and therefore be able to make sustained progress. We aim to develop both their subject knowledge, physical literacy and My Personal Best qualities. Feedback informs teachers planning and develops the students’ learning journey.

The PE department recognises that feedback is a crucial factor of quality teaching, with it and as a result, we can help develop students’ confidence, independence and enthusiasm for the subject area. PE lessons provide a number of opportunities to provide feedback in a variety of ways and at timely intervals for both large, small groups and the individual.

Core PE lessons:

The implementation of feedback within core PE lessons will be demonstrated in a number of ways:

• Lessons driven by clear objectives and students will be made aware of these and the outcomes of the lesson
• The feedback provided will look at the knowledge acquired and how this has been applied in a physical and tactical sense.
• Students will be given time to work on the feedback.
• Staff will model the skills and techniques in order for students to understand the expectations.
• Staff will provide timely and relevant feedback that is tailored to the individual, large and small groups.
• Feedback will promote praise and how to progress via WWW (What, Went, Well) and EBI (Even Better If) policy.

Examination KS4

Every year we have healthy numbers of pupils who take an examination course in PE. Currently this is the TECH Award and involves practical work as well as written assignments and formal examination. Feedback is given in accordance with the generic Mullion School policy on written tasks. There is a greater emphasis on verbal feedback during practical lessons and peer assessment helps drive improvement in performance, especially in the sports leadership aspect. Students will continue to have lessons driven by clear objectives and students will be made aware of the outcomes. The success criteria will be clear for students and all students will be provided with assignment briefs that clearly outline the success criteria.