Physical Education

Head of Department: Ms D Healey

Context

The PE department consists of four specialist teachers. The department has a large six badminton court sports hall, an astro-turf pitch, an outdoor pursuits centre and extensive field space all around the school. The department aims to provide the best possible sporting experiences for all young people across and beyond the curriculum.

Curriculum

Students at Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) have a physical education curriculum that provides students with the skills, attitudes, values, knowledge and understanding for lifelong participation in sport and society as a whole. It is inline with the national curriculum and its beliefs that "a high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness and that opportunities arise to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect" and instill the 3 pillars of progression, motor competence; rules, strategies and tactics; and healthy participation.

At KS4, in Year 10, PE and BTEC students will explore Leadership skills and will be role models that demonstrate integrity, creativity and imagination. In Year 11 Core PE and BTEC students will become active for life and will demonstrate a positive attitude and perceived competence in chosen physical activities and evaluate sociocultural barriers to physical activity involvement.

The carousel of sports activities throughout the year enable students from all year groups to use sports that offer a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents, develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports for example, athletics. Perform dance using advanced dance techniques within a range of dance styles and forms and take part in outdoor and adventurous activities, which present intellectual and physical challenges and encourage students to work in a team via our professionally mapped and designed orienteering courses. 

BTEC Tech Award Sport teaches additional sporting activities at KS4. Students in Year 10 can opt for BTEC sport, which is an engaging course linked to body systems, health and fitness, training and leadership skills of the sports industry. This course is ideal for students who are passionate and seek a future career in sport. There is a strong focus on developing practical skills and students will be assessed on their practical skills in lessons but also their academic skills when completing controlled written coursework and online exam preparation.

A whole school year group sports day takes place in the summer term with students taking part in inter tutor competitions in sports such as Dodgeball, Football, Rounders, Tchoukball and culminates in the afternoon year group athletic track finals.

For curriculum guides for PE, please visit our Curriculum by Year Group pages.

Learning Journey

Core PE assessment

Students receive ongoing formative targets for development and strengths during end of sport topic assessment each 6-8 lessons. At KS4 Core PE, attitudes to learning is essential and students receive verbal feedback on skills progress.

BTEC TECH Award in Sport

Students in Year 10 can opt to study a BTEC Tech Award in Sport, this course can help you take your first steps towards a career in sport and fitness. You'll learn essential skills such as training for personal fitness, encouraging sports participation, and organising and leading events and activities. The course comprises of two components that are NEA coursework and component 3 in Year 11 which is a written formal exam. 

Homework

The expectation for homework is that students will complete a minimum of one homework activity per week for KS4 BTEC classes. 

Afterschool Sessions

PE run an extensive range of intra and inter-school activities throughout the year. Clubs are updated each half term and offer a range of sports including boys/girls' football, trampolining, dance, cricket, netball, rugby, boxing and mountain biking.

Enrichment Opportunities

Throughout the year a variety of enrichment opportunities take place including year group and inter tutor competition. Longdendale regularly takes part in Tameside inter schools' events such as Tameside X Country Championships, Tameside Athletics, Tameside girls and boys league and cup football fixtures as well as other events throughout the school year. In recent years we have developed links with both Manchester City and Manchester United Football Academies and community work.