Curriculum
Broad General Education
Pupils in S1-S3 will take part in a wide range of team and individual activities where they will develop transferable skills for lifelong learning and work.
Our focus in all of our activities is to develop the pupils Cognitive Skills, Physical Competencies, Personal Qualities and Physical Fitness. Young people will develop important life skills through cooperating, competing and evaluating theirs and others work in a friendly and inclusive environment. This makes Physical Education the perfect platform to build and develop resilience, confidence, communication and responsibility for themselves and others.
S1/2 Physical Education
Pupils will cover a large variety of activities in S1 and S2. These will include:
- Badminton
- Table Tennis
- Netball
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Hockey
- Football
- Social Dance
- Sumer Games
- Athletics
- Gymnastics
- Dance
S3 Physical Education
In S3, pupils will select 3 of their favourite activities that they covered in S1/2 and this will create their curriculum in which they will have double blocks. This year we have the following pathways:
- Netball, volleyball, hockey
- Table tennis, badminton,
- Basketball, hockey, badminton
- Football, table tennis,
- Volleyball, football,
In between each of these doubles, pupils will take party in single blocks based on their favourite activities as well as social dance and athletics.
National 5 Physical Education
The National 5 Physical Education course is divided into two sections:
- Portfolio
- Performance
Each section is marked out of 60 and contributes 50% to your overall award.
The Portfolio:
The Portfolio tests your knowledge and understanding of the theoretical components of the course. It revolves around four factors; Physical, Social, Mental and Emotional that can move through the cycle of analysis as you develop your performance in one activity.
Pupils will be given the opportunity to select the activity they carry out through their portfolio and will develop this performance for the first two terms.
This written element consists of three sections:
Section 1 (factors impacting performance) = 8 marks
Section 2 (gathering information and performance cevelop0ment) = 29 marks
Section 3 (monitoring and evaluating progress) = 23 marks
The Performance:
The Performance component of the course involves you being assessed in two different activities. Both of these are marked out of 30.
Both of these assessments are considered a ‘one-off’; you are assessed in a single performance event and how you perform on that day determines your score.
You will be assessed on different aspects of your performance such as:
- Repertoire of skills
- Decision making
- Tactics, composition and roles
- C9ontrol and fluency
- Control of emotions and knowledge of rules
National 5 and Higher Dance
Higher Dance is a great course that challenges and inspires pupils by giving them the opportunity to create and appreciate dance performance. Pupils use their knowledge and understanding of dance technique and choreographic skills to develop and evaluate their dance practice and theatre arts.
Pupils will learn to experiment with a range of dance styles and techniques and apply them to enhance their own and the performances of others. The course is made up of 3 components; Question paper, Choreography/review and solo performance.
Higher PE
Higher physical education consists of two components; factors impacting performance and performance.
Factors impacting performance – Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of mental, emotional, social and physical factors that impact on personal performance in physical activities. Through collecting information, they will consider how these factors can influence effectiveness in performance. They will develop knowledge and understanding of a range of approaches for enhancing performance. Candidates select and apply these approaches to factors that impact on their personal performance. This is 50 marks and equates to 50% of the overall grade.
Performance – Pupils will be assessed through two activities and should be able to demonstrate a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills through a range of physical activities. They will select, demonstrate, apply and adapt these skills, and use them to make informed decisions. Pupils should display consistency, precision, control and fluency of movement. Two activities are marked each out of 30 and equate to 50% of overall grade.
Higher PE will allow pupils to develop their performance skills in a variety of activities, their confidence, their drive and ambition to succeed as well as their teamwork and communication skills.
Learning Experiences
In Art and Design, pupils typically study a diverse range of artistic disciplines within the art studio. This includes drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design and digital media. They explore various materials and techniques, develop observational and conceptual skills and engage with art history and contemporary practices. The curriculum aims to encourage creative thinking, personal expression and an understanding of the cultural and social impact of art. Additionally, pupils may have opportunities for practical projects, collaborative work and exhibitions to showcase their artistic achievements.
Life and Work
Studying art and design in school can offer numerous benefits that extend beyond artistic skills. It can enhance your ability to think creatively and express ideas visually, fostering a unique and personal voice. It will allow you to develop critical thinking skills by analysing and interpreting visual information, both in historical and contemporary contexts. Sharpen your problem-solving skills through hands-on projects, finding innovative solutions to artistic challenges. Improve your ability to communicate visually, an essential skill in various fields and professions. You will gain a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and historical contexts through the study of art history and different artistic movements. Build on your existing versatile skill set, including proficiency in various artistic mediums and digital tools, enhancing your adaptability in a rapidly changing world. Foster self-discipline, patience, and resilience through the iterative process of creating and refining art projects, collaborating with peers on group projects, honing teamwork and interpersonal skills. You will create a portfolio of your work, valuable for college applications, job interviews, or pursuing further education and careers in the arts. Whether you pursue a career in the arts or another field, the skills and perspectives gained from studying art and design can be valuable in various aspects of your personal and professional life.
Resources
SQA Higher Physical Education – Links to past papers, understanding standards and course specifications can be found here: SQA Documentation
ACHIEVE – Here you can create an account to find study notes, past paper questions and questions for Higher PE: ACHIEVE Learning
BBC Bitesize – Links to study notes and past paper questions for both National 5 and Higher PE: National 5 PE and Higher PE
All booklets, power points, past paper questions and study notes can be found on your individual google classrooms.
