Physical Education Curriculum
KS3-4 Physical Education Curriculum
The EDClass Physical Education curriculum is designed to cultivate a holistic understanding of physical activity, encompassing both its practical application and theoretical foundations.
We strive to empower students to make informed choices about their health and well-being, promoting active lifestyles that extend beyond the classroom.
Our curriculum is structured to provide a seamless progression of learning and, by providing a comprehensive and engaging curriculum, EDClass aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.
Curriculum Content
Applied Anatomy and Physiology
This section delves into the structure and function of the human body, providing students with a crucial understanding of how the body moves and responds to exercise.
Circulatory System: Structure of the heart, blood vessels, and the pathway of blood circulation.
Components of Fitness: Developing a thorough understanding of the different components of fitness (e.g., cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility).
Fitness Testing and Data Collection: Learning how to conduct fitness tests, collect accurate data, and interpret results.
Joints: Types of synovial joints, their structure, and the range of movement they allow.
Lever Systems: Understanding how the body uses levers to generate force and movement.
Muscular System: Major muscle groups, muscle actions, and their role in creating movement.
Physiological Effects of Exercise: The short-term and long-term adaptations of the body to physical activity.
Respiratory System: The pathway of air, the mechanics of breathing, and the process of gas exchange in the alveoli.
Skeletal System: Bone structure, functions, and the role of the skeleton in support and movement.
Movement Analysis
This section focuses on the principles of biomechanics and how to analyse and improve movement performance.
Characteristics of Skilful Movement: Exploring the qualities of effective and efficient movement.
Classification of Skills: Categorising skills based on their characteristics (e.g. open/closed skills, gross/fine skills).
Types of Feedback: Examining the role of feedback in learning and improving performance (e.g., intrinsic/extrinsic feedback).
Types of Guidance: Understanding different methods of providing guidance to learners (e.g., visual, verbal, manual).
Use of Data
This section emphasises the importance of data analysis in physical education and sport.
Physical Training
This section covers the principles and methods of training to enhance performance and fitness.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise: Distinguishing between these energy systems and their relevance to different activities.
Frequency, Intensity, Type, Time (FITT): Applying the FITT principles to design effective training programs.
Preventing Injuries: Strategies for minimising the risk of injury during physical activity.
The SMART Principle of Goal Setting: Learning to set effective and achievable training goals.
Warming Up and Cooling Down: Understanding the importance and procedures for preparing the body for exercise and aiding recovery.
Principles of Training
Overload: The need to progressively increase training demands to stimulate adaptation.
Progression: The systematic increase in training load over time.
Reversibility: The loss of training adaptations when training is reduced or stopped.
Specificity: Understanding how training should be tailored to specific activities and goals.
Sports Psychology
This section explores the psychological factors that influence performance in sport and physical activity.
Mental Preparation: Techniques for managing anxiety, improving focus, and enhancing motivation.
Socio-cultural Influences
This section examines the broader social and cultural context of sport and physical activity.
Commercialisation of Physical Activity and Sport: The influence of commercial forces on sport and exercise.
Diet and Nutrition: The importance of a balanced diet for optimal health and performance.
Drugs in Sport: The use of performance-enhancing drugs and their ethical and health implications.
Ethics in Sport: Fair play, sportsmanship, and ethical decision-making.
The Media and the Commercialisation of Sport: The role of media in shaping perceptions of sport.
Sponsorship and the Commercialisation of Sport: Examining the impact of sponsorship on athletes and sports organisations, and the positive and negative effects of media and sponsorship.
Violence in Sport: The causes and consequences of violence in sport.
Health and Wellbeing
The benefits of physical activity and the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Understanding the impact of exercise on physical and mental health.
Health, Fitness, and Different Age Groups: Recognising the specific needs and considerations for various age groups.
Factors Affecting Participation in Physical Activity and Sport
Major Factors Affecting Participation: Exploring social, cultural, and economic influences.
Strategies to Improve Participation: Investigating methods to encourage greater involvement in sport and exercise.
Participation Case Study: Analysing a real-world example of factors influencing participation.
