Physical Education Department

Head of Department:

• Mr J Lowe BA (Hons) MSc PGCE

Teachers in Department:

• Mr S Snoddy BEd PGCE

• Miss E Parker BA  (Hons) PGCE

• Miss H Irvine BA  (Hons) PGCE

External Examinations:

• GCSE Physical Education (AQA)

• AS & A2 Physical Education (AQA)

Description of Department:

Curricular PE in the Larne Grammar School

This is what to expect each week in PE/Games in Years 8-12:   

• 2 periods of PE

• 2 periods of Games

This will include swimming, gymnastics, dance, basketball, netball, volleyball, trampolining, tennis, atheltics and badminton.  Also major team sports such as hockey, rugby, and cricket are taught.  The school has also a state of the art fitness suite which is extensively used for year 10-12.  The programme caters for all levels of ability and all year 8 pupils will represent the school in a series of differentiated competitive matches against other schools.

Land has been purchased in order to build an astro hockey pitch and Pavilion.

GCSE Physical Education

Pupils in Year 11 can choose to sit GCSE PE over two years.  Currently candidates must be assessed in four practical activities.  This amounts to 60% of the final mark.  The remaining 40% is theory based and includes study in anatomy and physiology, effects of exercise, diet, training methods and issues in sport such as sponsorship and politics.

There may also be the opportunity (depending on timetabling availability) to sit Double Award PE which would give candidates 2 GCSE’s in this area.

Last years results in GCSE were:

• A*      20%

• A        40%

• B        20%

• C        13%

AS/A2 Sport and Physical Education

Many candidates who have been successful at GCSE PE, opt for this course for their L6/U6 years.  As you might expect, the bias is 60%-40% for theory against practical.  This subject is of great assistance to those people wishing to study Sports Studies or Physiotherapy at University.  The Modules are:

• AS PHED 1 – Opportunities for and the effects of leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

• AS PHED 2 – Analysis and evaluation of physical activity as a performer (practical).

• A2 PHED 3 – Optimising performance and evaluating contemporary issues within sport.

• A2 PHED 4 – Optimising practical performance in a competitive situation (practical)

• AS – 1 written examination, 1 adopted role, 1 practical activity.

• A2 - 1 written examination, 1 practical activity including an analysis of others’ performance

To access the detailed AQA PE specification click:-

2009 results in A2 where:

• A - 10%

• B - 29%

• C - 43%

• D - 10%

Recent Successes in Larne Grammar Sport

Extra Curricular Sport

Extra curricular activities including sports play a major role in the daily life of a Larne Grammar School pupil.  The majority of the activities taught in PE can be practiced to a higher level after the school day finishes, in particular rugby for boys and hockey for girls.  This results in a full Saturday morning fixture list for all year groups with pupils expected to represent their school when selected.