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Physical Education

PE: Intent and Aims for Learning

The aim of Physical Education (PE) at Sexey’s School is to encourage students to be physically active and to promote lifelong participation in sporting activities in both the competitive and recreational sectors.

Being physically active is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy active lifestyle; our aim is that Sexey’s students will be guided through a range of activity areas with the hope that they will choose to engage in at least one as part of our extra-curricular programme and we actively encourage students to join clubs outside of school.

Key Stage 3 PE: Years 7-9

Mass participation is key and students are encouraged to not only learn the basic skills required to play sporting activities but also the rules, coaching points and umpiring/refereeing.

All students in Years 7-9 have two hours of PE per week and follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Traditional games like football, rugby, netball, tennis, badminton, basketball and hockey are taught through games-related activities; conditioned games, small-sided games and ultimately in the full version so that students can understand the principles involved in competitive play.

Life skills such as communication, cooperation, problem solving and interpersonal skills are also fundamental to every lesson and students are encouraged to be involved in class discussions though evaluation and analysis of performance and appreciating their individual and peer strengths and areas for development.

Individual skills practices are included in preparation for the competitive aspects; swimming, athletics and fitness balance the curriculum so that the vital areas of speed, strength, stamina, flexibility and skill all have opportunities to develop. Aesthetic qualities are experienced through dance activities.

Classes are mixed ability and staff differentiate their lessons through task, feedback & equipment.

Assessment

Assessment is based on Bronze, Silver and Gold levels; students self-assess themselves in all disciplines. They will be able to do this using their knowledge acquired as well as teacher and peer feedback given throughout the lessons. Each unit will have an ‘assessment lesson’ where students will reflect on the skills, tactics and techniques learned, both in isolation, conditioned and competitive play and performances. Pupils will receive an effort grade from their teachers.

Core PE in Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11

You will have approximately three lessons of Core PE per fortnight.

The emphasis at Key Stage 4 (Year 10 & 11) is on participation, promoting a healthy active lifestyle and giving you the opportunity to exercise safely and promoting lifelong participation in sport and fitness. It is extremely important to use your PE lessons as a break away from academic study, these lessons are especially important in exam time.

Each class will study an activity for 6 weeks however our KS4 curriculum is extremely flexible and can alter depending on the cohort. Classes are based around competitive and recreational sport. Competitive pathways include traditional games and fixtures. All KS4 Sports Science students are expected to be in the competitive pathways.

The recreation pathways have an element of traditional games mixed with recreational activities. Pupils are welcome to suggest new activities providing we have the facilities and staff to provide them.

The PE department have the same expectations of KS4 students regarding kit and behaviour and all pupils must bring kit regardless of illness or injury as you will always be given a role within the lesson.

 

Sports Science (OCR – Cambridge National)

This is an optional subject starting Sept 24

Practical, accessible, fun and exciting to learn, it will inspire students to develop real-world skills to prepare them for their future. With a choice of optional NEA units and a re-submission opportunity for each NEA unit, we can design the course to suit our pupils needs.

Subject units

  • Reducing the risk of sports injuries and dealing with common medical conditions (Exam)
  • Applying the principles of training: fitness and how it affects skill performance (NEA)
  • Optional: The body’s response to physical activity and how technology informs this (NEA)
  • Optional : Nutrition and sports performance (NEA)

Students must complete 3 of the units above. One mandatory unit is assessed through an external examination. The others are coursework-based and will be completed from the start of Year 10 through to the end of Year 11. The coursework is completed in school time and is set by OCR but is marked by us. This is then moderated by the exam board.

Who would it suit?

Students are not assessed on their own practical ability is specific sports. It is an advantage if pupils have 2 sports that they know about and play regularly in order to use that knowledge in their NEA and exam. Therefore, this course is ideally to those who wish to pursue a career in the sport/health sector without being an athlete themselves i.e. physiotherapist, teacher, coach, performance lifestyle advisor, personal trainer, etc.

You may be interested in this if you want an engaging qualification where you will use your learning in practical, real-life situations, such as:

  • Understanding how to prevent and treat sporting injuries
  • Understanding how different medical conditions can affect sports performance
  • Applying the principles of training to fitness and skills development for sporting activities
  • Understanding how to apply knowledge of good nutrition to improve sporting performance
  • Understanding how the body systems change and develop in response to physical training
  • Understanding how technology can assist in measuring the changes in your body during physical training.

This will help you to develop independence and confidence in using skills that would be relevant to the Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport and Health sector.

 

Extra curricular Clubs and School Sport

We offer an extensive extra-curricular programme at Sexey’s School and all students are encouraged to attend training and play for school teams. We have clubs available Monday-Thursday.

Matches/fixtures are held after school. We enter our teams into the local leagues against other state schools as well as playing friendly matches against Millfield Prep, All Hallows, Millfield, Stonar, Dauntsey’s, Bruton School for Girls, Kings, Kings Taunton, Beechen Cliff and Marlborough College.

Students also have the opportunity to attend Badminton on Mondays 4-5pm or Netball on Friday 4-5pm. These sessions are run by external coaches and have a small fee attached to them.

As we are a small department we always welcome any parent volunteers to assist with coaching or officiating. If you have any coaching qualifications we would love to hear from you!

Special Educational Needs and Disability Opportunities/Support

  • High-quality teaching
    • Differentiated work and assessment
    • Specialist equipment
    • Groups
    • Exam Access Arrangements with extra time for KS4 and KS5
    • Additional intervention and support with TA
    • Seating plan for KS4
    • Somerset School Games access competitions

Staff List

  • Emily Chapman – Head of Department (PE)
  • Katie Johnstone
  • Ruth Dunford
  • David Bomani
  • John Moise
  • Chris Waring

 

Updated February 2026