The Physical Education Department provides a wide variety of activities and opportunities for pupils and former pupils, supported by a young, progressive teaching and coaching staff.
Pupils can follow several pathways through the Broad General Education (BGE), National Qualifications, coaching qualifications and leadership opportunities to develop their aspirations. Foreign and residential experiences are offered to pupils by the department including outdoor activities in both the summer and winter terms.
Our vision is:
- To provide an environment where pupils are provided with the highest quality of education and support in a climate where pupils are safe, valued and treated with dignity and respect.
- To ensure that the full potential of every pupil is developed while maintaining high and realistic expectations so that they maximise their attainment and achievement.
- To develop our youngsters into mature, health conscious, fit and well adjusted young people who are well equipped and with the skills and knowledge to enable them to take an active role in society.
- To develop the capabilities, attributes and capacities to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors in society.
- To ensure the highest quality of learning and teaching with equality of opportunity for all.
- To provide physical, intellectual, social and aesthetic challenges for pupils through a balanced physical education programme.
- To improve physical performance in terms of fitness, co-ordination skills and application of skills in a variety of contexts.
- To offer pupils a variety of courses: National 4/5, Higher,Advanced Higher, Skills for work, Exercise and Fitness Leadership, Sports Leadership, Heartstart, Schools of Sport in basketball, Rugby, Dance, Gymnastics and Football
- To encourage positive long term attitudes towards health and physical activity. To provide an awareness of the importance of exercise and diet in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
All pupils in S1 get 3 periods of core PE and 1 period of School of Excellence, an activity which they do for the whole year.
All pupils in S2 get 3 periods of core PE and 2 periods of Masterclass which is on a 12-week rotation between departments.
All pupils in S3 get 3 periods of core PE.
Breadth, Challenge and Enjoyment are important features of the BGE with pupils experiencing at least 10 different activities across S1 and S2. In S3 pupils continue to develop these activities but also study Health and Wellbeing at levels 4 and 5. In S4 Core PE pupils are given personalisation and choice in the activities they wish to study.
Physical Education National 5
Entry Requirements
Entry to this course is at the discretion of the school, however, learners would normally be expected to have attained the skills and knowledge required by the following:
- good academic record
- been accepted onto the National 4/5 English course is recommended
- Health and Wellbeing Physical Education CfE Level 4, or by negotiation with the Principal Teacher
Course Outline
The main purpose of the course is to develop, demonstrate and improve practical and performance skills through evaluation and analysis. There are three mandatory units:
Performance
This unit will focus on enhancing learner engagement and performance in physical activity by analysing, embedding and developing elements of performance including skills application, applied fitness, performance awareness and performance composition. The unit offers opportunities for personalisation and choice of activities e.g. gymnastics, dance and indoor and outdoor games.
Factors Impacting on Performance
This unit will explore factors which impact positively or negatively on engagement and performance in physical activities. Learners will examine and analyse the development of personal performance and there will be opportunities for personalisation and choice in selecting from a range of these factors.
Assessment
Practical performance: Worth 50% of total mark. Assessable through 2 activities.
Portfolio: Worth 50% of total mark. Assessable through external marking.
Skills Developed
The following provides a broad overview of the subject skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the course:
- demonstrating a comprehensive range of movement and performance skills safely
- understanding factors that impact on performance
- planning, developing and implementing approaches to enhance personal performance
- monitoring, recording and evaluating performance development
- decision-making and problem-solving
Progression Pathways
On successful completion of the Course, learners may wish to pursue further study e.g. Higher Physical Education and/or career options related to physical education, such as Higher National Diplomas in sports science, sports coaching or health and fitness, or degrees in areas such as physical education, physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, health and fitness and physiotherapy. Others may wish to engage in training or employment related to personal training or health promotion.
Physical Education Higher
Entry Requirements
A high level in practical ability has to be combined with strong linguistic skills to achieve a pass at this level. Students wishing to study this course should have the following:
- a good academic record, including National 5 English been accepted onto the Higher English course
- a pass at National 5 P.E.
- If no National P.E. course has been undertaken in S4, then pupils may be able to negotiate entry to the course with the Principal Teacher.
Course Outline
The main purpose of the course is to enable learners to develop, demonstrate and evaluate movement and performance skills for effective performance in a range of challenging contexts. Learners will use evaluation and analysis to develop and apply strategies, techniques and skills that will enable them to build on and enhance their performance. Pupils will complete the following units:
Performance
In this unit learners will develop a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills through a range of physical activities. The unit offers opportunity for personalisation and choice of activities e.g. aesthetic activities, indoor and outdoor games.
Factors Impacting on Performance
Learners will consider how mental, emotional, social and physical factors can influence effectiveness in performance. They will create development plans, modify these and justify decisions relating to future development needs.
Assessment
Practical performance: worth 50% of total mark. Assessable through 2 activities
External Assessment: worth 50% of total mark. A study of factors that impact on performance learned through a practical experience, textbook study and home assignments. Assessable through a written external exam paper.
Skills Developed
- planning, developing, implementing and evaluating performance
- selecting, demonstrating and safely applying a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills in challenging contexts
- decision making and problem solving in challenging contexts
- analysing factors that impact on performance
- explaining a range of approaches for developing performance
- creating and implementing a Personal Development Plan (PDP)
- analysing the recording, monitoring and evaluation of performance development
Progression Pathways
On successful completion of the Course, learners may wish to pursue further study and/or career options related to physical education, such as Higher National Diplomas in sports science, sports coaching or health and fitness, or degrees in areas such as physical education, physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, health and fitness and physiotherapy. Others may wish to engage in training or employment related to personal training or health promotion
Physical Education Advanced Higher
Entry Requirements
- A/B in Higher Physical Education.
- Currently high level performer which requires regular training and competition in sport or activity
Course Outline
Project
- demonstrating independent research and investigation skills
- investigating how factors impact on performance
- understanding and applying approaches to develop performance
- analysing and evaluating the process of performance development including future needs
Performance
- demonstrating a broad and comprehensive repertoire of complex skills
- demonstrating control and fluency of complex movement and performance skills
- demonstrating effective decision making and problem solving
- using and applying well-established composition, tactics and roles safely and effectively
- following rules and regulations and displaying etiquette (including working with others)
- controlling emotions on the day of the performance
Assessment
Learners will complete the following course assessments:
Component 1 — Performance
The purpose of the performance is to assess the learner’s ability to carry out a single, high level performance in one physical activity in a challenging, demanding and/or competitive context. It will be worth 30 marks (30% of the total marks available).
Component 2 — Project (5,000 words)
The purpose of the project is to assess the learner’s ability to integrate and apply skills, knowledge and understanding from across the Units. The project will have 70 marks (70% of the total marks available). The project is designed to assess learners’ research and investigation skills, as well as their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to performance development. This research could be into a topic which impacts either on the learner’s performance, or the performance of another person, team or group.
Skills Developed
- applying a range of complex movement and performance skills during a high-level single performance
- making decisions during a high-level single performance
- demonstrating independent research and investigation skills
- investigating how factors impact on performance
- understanding and applying approaches to develop performance
- analysing and evaluating the process of performance development
Progression Pathways
On successful completion of the Course, some learners may wish to pursue further study and/or career options related to physical education, such as Higher National Diplomas in sports science, sports coaching or health and fitness, or degrees in areas such as physical education, physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, health and fitness and physiotherapy. Others may wish to engage in training or employment related to personal training or health promotion.
Dance National 5
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have achieved the fourth curriculum level or the equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.
Course Outline
The National 5 Dance course has an integrated approach to learning that develops practical and evaluative skills, knowledge and understanding of technical dance and performance and choreographic skills.
Candidates learn how to evaluate their own work and the work of others and use this knowledge to inform and influence their own creative thinking and performance, experiment with a range of choreographic principles and consider the impact of theatre arts on performance, explore the origins of dance, evaluate the work of professional choreographers to help explore and develop their own choreographic ideas, learn specific dance techniques and use these to develop a range of technical skills as a dancer.
Assessment
Question paper
The question paper assesses candidates’ ability to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding.
Choreography
The choreography section assesses the candidate’s ability to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding.
Performance
The performance assesses the candidate’s ability to demonstrate the following:
- application of technique
- fluency and transitions within performance
- strength, stamina and
- flexibility timing and musicality
- application of performance skills as appropriate to the chosen style
- spatial awareness
- ability to control nerves, concentrate and focus
- quality and dynamics
Skills Developed
- exploring a range of dance skills and techniques
- exploring a range of performance skills as appropriate to a specific dance style
- using evaluative skills in relation to self and others
- demonstrating and applying knowledge and understanding of dance
- exploring choreographic principles, devices and structures using evaluative skills within the creative process through choreography
- responding to stimuli using imagination and creativity
- conveying thoughts, meaning and ideas through movement
- exploring the origins of a specific dance style
- gaining knowledge and understanding of safe dance practice
- exploring the impact of theatre arts in choreography
- exploring the origins of a specific dance style
Progression Pathways
The course provides opportunities for vertical and lateral progression to National Courses and other SQA qualifications in dance and related fields.
Dance Higher
Entry Requirements
Learners must have extensive previous dance experience. Learners must audition to gain a place on the course. Entry Requirements
Learners must have extensive previous dance experience. Learners must audition to gain a place on the course.
Course Outline
As candidates develop technical and choreographic skills, they learn to analyse the work of dance practitioners and how to use this knowledge to inform and influence their own creative thinking and performance.
Assessment
Question paper 40 marks
Candidates must answer all questions, which are sampled from the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’ section of this document.
The question paper has two sections:
- section 1: dance appreciation in context (24 marks)
- section 2: study of a professional choreography (16 marks)
The question paper has a total mark allocation of 40 marks. This is 30% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Practical activity 70 marks
This assesses candidates’ ability to apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, interpretation and refl ective practice. It has two sections:
- section 1: choreography (45 marks)
- section 2: choreography review (25 marks)
The practical activity has a total mark allocation of 70 marks. This is 30% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Performance 70 marks
Candidates perform two solos in contrasting dance styles. They are assessed on their ability to apply and combine technical and performance skills as appropriate to each. The performance is two tutor-choreographed technical solos in contrasting dance styles. Each piece must last a minimum of 1 minute and 30 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes. The performance has a total mark allocation of 70 marks. This is 40% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Skills Developed
Learners will have the opportunity to develop the following skills:
- develop a broad range of technical dance skills
- understand and apply knowledge of a range of choreographic skills to create a dance for a group
- work imaginatively and demonstrate creativity through problem solving, critical thinking, analysis and reflective practice
- co-operate, support and work with others
- consider how theatre arts can enhance a performance
- develop knowledge, understanding and appreciation of dance practice
- apply the principles of safe dance practice
- evaluate their own work and the work of others
Progression Pathways
The course provides opportunities for vertical and lateral progression to National Courses and other SQA qualifications in dance and related fields
Sports Leadership NPA
Entry Requirements
Learners must have an interest in sport or fitness and have previously demonstrated a strong commitment to Physical Education and Sport in terms of bringing kit, effort and behaviour. Learners must be prepared to lead groups of other pupils of various ages and stages in different sporting activities. Learners must research the rules and basic skills of the activities they lead.
Course Outline
To gain the award you must successfully complete:
- Leadership: An Introduction (Higher) (SCQF level 6) 20 hours
- Leadership in Practice (Higher) (SCQF level 6) 40 hours
Sports Leadership Awards
Learners will have the opportunity to gain various awards in activities such as; Cardio Tennis, Indoor Athletics, Cricket, Rugby, Disability Sports and First Aid. Primary School Placement Learners will visit a local primary school to deliver physical activity sessions to primary children. Learners will be required to complete a logbook of their activity.
Primary Events
Learners will plan, deliver and evaluate their role within large scale sporting events to primary children.
Volunteering
Learners will be required to choose a role related to sports development and volunteer on at least ten separate occasions to fulfil this role. Learners must keep a log of their participation in this role
Assessment
You will do this by completing assessment activities which could include:
- researching the principles skills, styles, qualities of leadership and the effectiveness of different leaders
- producing a report based on your research
- evaluating your own potential for leadership
- leading the planning and carrying out of an activity role play
- drawing conclusions about your own effectiveness as a leader
Skills Developed
Learners will have the opportunity to develop a variety of essential skills during this course, including;
- Communication
- Working with others
- Organisation
- Numeracy
- ICT
Progression Pathways
On successful completion of the course, some learners may wish to pursue further study and/or career options related to physical education, such as Higher National Diplomas in sports science, sports coaching or health and fitness, or degrees in areas such as physical education, physical activity and health, sport and exercise science, health and fitness, physiotherapy and primary education.
Exercise and Fitness Leadership NPA
Entry Requirements
The National Progression Award in Exercise and Fitness (SCQF level 6) is designed to support candidates who have a strong interest in the area of Exercise and Fitness.
Course Outline
The NPA will have 5 Units and 3 must be completed for the Group award The Units are as follows:
- Exercise and Fitness: Cardiovascular Training
- Exercise and Fitness: Fixed Weight Training
- Exercise and Fitness: Free Weight Training
- Exercise and Fitness: Circuit Training
- Exercise and Fitness: Exercise to Music
Assessment
All Units will be carried out in a sport or fitness environment and assessments will reflect the practical nature where possible and the knowledge will be that which relates to sport and fitness.
For some of the Units, team working will be involved but ALL candidates will need to play a full part as it will be your own work and contribution which will be assessed.
Skills Developed
- Develop the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of current practices, thinking and philosophies of sport and fitness and their impact on specific aspects of industry.
- Develop the candidate’s knowledge and skills in planning, implementing and evaluating aspects of the Sport and Fitness Industry.
- Develop study skills and skills in investigating aspects of the industry which are specific to their interests and needs.
- Offer opportunities to develop core skills in a setting relevant to the industry.
- Allow candidates to acquire some of the basic skills and knowledge required by the industry.
Progression Pathways
National Progression award is designed to improve your skills and knowledge in the Sport and Fitness Industries. They are designed to allow progression to the HNC/D programmes in:
- Sport Coaching with Sport Development.
- Fitness Health and Exercise.
- Sport and Recreation Management
- Sports Therapy
- Applied Sports Science
- Other SQA awards and SVQs are also real possibilities.
SFA Refereeing SCQF Level 7
Entry Requirements
- Available to S6 pupils only
- Interest in Football
Course Outline
This qualification covers areas such as understanding of SFA refereeing, concentrating on knowledge and understanding of the Laws of the Game of football.
It also includes learning about formal controls, misconduct, match reports and fitness standards for referees. This knowledge is drawn together by refereeing a football match.
Assessment
Unit 1 - Scottish FA: Laws of the Game
This unit is mostly theoretical in nature and comprises of the following Outcomes:
Identify and interpret the Laws of the Game. This outcome is all theory based and culminates in a written exam. The pass mark for the exam is 80%.
Demonstrate the practical skills required to implement the Laws of the Game.
Unit 2 - Scottish FA: Practical Refereeing
This unit is mostly practical in nature and comprises of the following Outcomes:
Identify and analyse the formal controls and procedures used in a football match.
Produce misconduct and match reports in both formal letter and pro forma styles.
Achieve the fitness standard required by the Scottish Football Association.
Referee a football match using formal controls and procedures as defined in the Laws of the Game.
Skills Developed
- Communication and people skills
- Patience and self-control
- The ability to take on large amounts of information
- Decision-making ability
- A willingness to work on and maintain a decent level of physical fitness
- Observational skills
Progression Pathways
On successful completion of the course, candidates will be qualified to referee football matches at youth level.
In addition, it also allows candidates an opportunity to progress to further academic and/or professional qualifications. This includes possible routes to:
- other PDAs in Sport at SCQF level 7 and level 8
- other SQA awards which incorporate higher level units, eg HNC/D (SCQF levels 7/8)
- SFA refereeing structure
