A LEVEL
Physical Education
Physical Education combines practical performance with scientific understanding, exploring how movement, training and psychology work together to enhance achievement in sport.
Go beyond the practical side of sport to understand how the body functions, how performance develops, and how movement contributes to health, confidence and success in everyday life.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
Why Choose PE at St Paul’s?
At St Paul’s, Physical Education offers an engaging and dynamic experience that encourages every student to challenge themselves, stay active, and think critically about performance and health.
- Personalised guidance and feedback help you refine your technique, improve your fitness, and reach new goals.
- Highly qualified teachers bring lessons to life through practical activities, real-world examples, and expert insight.
- An inclusive and supportive environment ensures every student feels valued, whether you are competing, coaching, or studying the science behind sport.
- A broad and inspiring curriculum explores anatomy, physiology, psychology, and the impact of physical activity on wellbeing and society.
- Opportunities beyond the classroom include leadership roles, sports teams, trips, and enrichment activities that promote growth and confidence.
Where PE Can Take You
Our Physical Education students often progress to study sports science, physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychology at leading universities, or take on apprenticeships in coaching, fitness, and health-related fields where their leadership and teamwork skills set them apart.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
What You’ll Study
Factors Affecting Participation in Physical Activity and Sport:
- Understand how the body works: Explore anatomy, physiology, and how training improves performance.
- Master skill development: Learn how movement and technique are taught and refined.
- Explore sport in society: Discover how culture and opportunity influence participation.
Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and Sport:
- Uncover the science of performance: Study exercise physiology and biomechanics in action.
- Focus on the mind: Examine motivation, confidence, and psychological strategies for success.
- See how technology transforms sport: Analyse how innovation enhances performance and fairness.
Practical Performance:
- Demonstrate your ability: Be assessed as a performer or coach in your chosen sport.
- Reflect and improve: Analyse your performance through a written or verbal report.
Full details of the course can be found in the exam board’s official AQA specification.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
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Physical Education Exam Results
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PASS RATE
...
achieved
A* to C
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achieved
A* to B
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achieved
A* to A
Entry Requirements
In addition to our standard entry requirements, a number of our courses have specific entry requirements to ensure you are ready to thrive in the subject. For PE, you’ll need:
- Grade 6+ in Physical Education OR Grade 6+ in Double Science
These requirements are in place to help set you up for success and make sure you have the right foundation to enjoy the challenge of Sixth Form study.
I thought about leaving, but I realised no one else would care about me the way St Paul’s does. Here, I’m not starting over, I’m moving forward.
— Student Name
Hear From Our Students
This course is really well suited to those who want to be stretched both academically and practically – it’s not easy but I love it!
PE isn’t easy but it challenges me in a variety of different ways because the topics are so different.
I find the course really challenging but I love the fact that we back up what we learn with practical sessions — it suits me and the way we learn.
I really like the fact that the three units within PE are so different. They give you a chance to explore all the different aspects of PE and sport .
Mr T Cheesmur
SUBJECT LEADER FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Thank you for your interest in Physical Education at A Level. Our team of passionate and experienced PE specialists at St Paul’s are here to inspire you and help you reach your full potential both in and out of the classroom.
If you have any questions about studying Physical Education, or the exciting career pathways it can lead to, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Send me a message
We’d love to hear from you, whether you want to talk about subject choices, entry requirements, or your future career ideas.
Are you ready to push your limits, build resilience, and discover what your body and mind can achieve?
Begin your Physical Education journey at St Paul’s.
Whatever course you choose, you’ll be joining a community where every student is known and loved. Our mission is not just to help you succeed academically, but to help you grow as a person, supported and celebrated every step of the way.
Physical EducationCourse Content
This course teaches students a broad range of topics relating to physical education, from human physiology and psychology to the social and cultural impact sports has on society as a whole.
| PAPER 1Factors Affecting Participation in Physical Activity and Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEIGHT |
35% (105 marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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This component will assess:
- Section A: Applied anatomy and physiology
- Section B: Skill acquisition
- Section C: Sport and society
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Questions:
- Section A: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
- Section B: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
- Section C: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
| PAPER 2Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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WEIGHT |
35% (105 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2 Hours |
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This component will assess:
- Section A: Exercise physiology and biometrics
- Section B: Sport psychology
- Section C: Sport and society and technology in sport
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Questions:
- Section A: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
- Section B: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
- Section C: Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing (35 marks)
| NEAPractical Peformance in Physical Activity and Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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WEIGHT |
30% (90 Marks) |
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LENGTH |
2500 Words |
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What is assessed:
- Students will be assessed as a performer or coach in the full sided version of one activity
- Written/verbal analysis of performance
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