Curriculum Intent and Implementation

We believe the work we do in P.E. is central to all students' physical and mental well-being. Our intention in the P.E Department, therefore, is to ensure all students can engage in physical activity and sport, regardless of their needs or sporting abilities, and ensure all members of our school community have access to the knowledge and experiences they need to make sound choices about their own health, during and beyond their time at secondary school.

We aim to offer high-quality provision for all students in Key Stage Three and Four, and also for those who wish to pursue their sporting or fitness goals in Key Stage Five. We also seek to ensure theory teaching enables those students who wish to take GCSE or Advanced Level PE to challenge themselves practically and think theoretically, critically, and analytically, so that they can apply high-level knowledge in examinations, with confidence.

The curriculum is implemented by subject specialists, each who brings their own sporting expertise to lessons, which are pacey, challenging, and fun. We differentiate the teaching & learning, so that each student can set and improve on their own Personal Bests; and develop an enthusiasm for sport and an awareness of its importance locally, nationally, and globally.

Extra-curricular clubs and sports teams are very important to us at KGGS, and we work hard to ensure our students can represent the school in fixtures and competitions. To this end, we utilise external coaches to increase opportunities for extra-curricular activities in some sports, such as badminton and basketball. To name but a few, our students regularly represent the school in local, county, and regional netball, boccia, waterpolo, gymnastics, athletics and cross-country competitions. Our students are also regulars at local fixtures in football, volleyball, table tennis and golf.

Review our PE Curriculum Map for a detailed overview of the core knowledge and skills covered in Physical Education.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7, each student participates in five lessons per fortnight, honing their skills in basic core movement and developing an understanding of rules and tactics in a range of sports, as well as learning how choreograph to music. In Years 8 and 9, students take part in four lessons per fortnight, learning to develop more sophisticated sporting techniques and challenge themselves in new and familiar sports. The focus is on setting and achieving their own personal bests as well as improving strategy in team sports.

Whether they are experienced at sports or wanting to try out something new, we are keen that students in Key Stage Three get involved in extra-curricular opportunities, such as those offered at lunchtimes and in after school sports clubs, inter-form and inter-house competitions, and local and national fixtures.

Key Stage 4

Each student will participate in 1 hour of Core PE each week, making a choice at the end of Year 9 as to which route they wish to follow throughout KS4. Options for Core PE include Competitive Games, which allows the students to do activities such as netball, badminton, and summer sports such as athletics, cricket and rounders. Recreational Games is also offered to students looking for a less competitive environment where they will try out activities such as bench ball, dodgeball, and summer activities such as athletics, cricket and rounders. The third option is Fitness, enabling students to experience a variety of fitness-based activates along with summer activities.  

GCSE PE

We follow the Pearson Edexcel specification, which has two key elements: theory and practical skills. The course enables candidates to develop an appreciation of the relationship between physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, along with an understanding of and participation in a variety of activities. For the practical element of the course, you will undertake lessons in netball, badminton and athletics in school with the option of participating in a 3-day indoor climbing residential. If you participate in other sporting activities outside of school and they are on the specification these may also be used as evidence for your practical marks.

Key Stage 5

We follow the AQA specification for Advanced Level PE, where you will have the opportunity to really develop your passion for sports. The course builds on your experience from Key Stage 4 and GCSE to enhance your knowledge and increase your understanding of the factors that affect performance and participation in physical education. There are three academic sections in this specification: Section A covers topics such as Anatomy and Physiology; Section B, Psychological principles; and Section C, Sport & Society and the Role of Technology. There is an expectation that you participate and compete in a sport outside of school in order for you to gain your practical marks for the Advanced Level PE course.