“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” – Michael Jordan

We aim to enrich our students' by teaching life skills through the exciting and ever changing world of sport ensuring that they leave the Academy with the knowledge of how to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

The PE Department has created a structured and monitored programme of exercise that integrates physical education with the overall Academy approach to health, knowledge of hygiene and diet and the appreciation of the value of physical activity and how it contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Our vision is that Walthamstow Academy values will be brought to life through high quality physical education, sport and health-promoting physical activity so that every young person is:

• Ambitious – to excel: to be the best they can be in and through PE and sport;
• Confident – to participate, perform and lead;
• Creative – in their decision-making and in finding solutions to increasingly complex challenges;
• Respectful – of themselves, all of their peers and all adults involved in their sporting life, whether they be teachers, coaches, officials, medical staff etc;
• Enthusiastic – about engaging in physical activity and sport in school, out of school and beyond school life;
• Determined – to persist in overcoming obstacles, to lead healthy lifestyles and to achieve their best.

In the PE and Health curriculum, pupils will also develop their character, their leadership skills and be given opportunities to show their creative flair. The PE and Health curriculum will support and improve pupils’ physical and mental well-being as it prepares pupils for a life of health-enhancing physical activity through our core values. This curriculum also helps to develop empathy in young people for their peers with disabilities.

The curriculum is based on the United Learning model for PE and Health curriculum.

The students develop these skills through a varied curriculum covering Invasion Games, Dance, Trampolining, Fitness through Invasion Games, Athletics, Tracking and Fielding. Students are assessed through the use of the newly develop KPI’s which embody the United Learning and Walthamstow Academy PE departments ethos and aims for the curriculum. 

PE will offer you the opportunity to develop your skills in a wide range of activities and help you to improve your performance. You will be taught about exercise, how your body works to help you exercise, and then through training, how your performance can be improved.

The course is 40% practically based, 60% theory based and involves participating in a range of practical activities, as well as developing the knowledge to improve your own abilities in these areas. 10% of the practical allocation is designated to the development of an Analysis and Evaluation Plan.

The PE department ideally aims for two practical’s and three theory lessons over the two week. For those who enjoy sport and do well in it, this will therefore be a very enjoyable course. The theory units are intensive and Is heavily science based, there is also a lot of coursework to be completed throughout the two years.

You will already have been taught a wide range of different activities in your KS3 PE lessons, due to the new intellectualised curriculum. This course will help you build upon these basic skills. You will develop the analytical skills necessary to look at and improve your own and others’ performance.

Physical Education allows you to develop a wide range of personal skills through the involvement in physical activity, and there is a cross-curricular link with Science, English and Maths.

Assessment

There are two theory examinations at the end of the course that will test your knowledge and understanding of the human body and sociocultural influences. The examinations will be 1 hour and 15 minutes long, and involves short and long questions that enable you to apply your understanding of the factors affecting participation.

The written examination is worth 60% of the total mark. There are two practical examinations – one observed by a visiting moderator. These count for 40% of the total marks awarded.

Progression

A very good grade at GCSE will help you to move onto any AS, Advanced GCE or Advanced VCE course. If you enjoy your GCSE Physical Education, you may want to continue with the subject onto an Advanced Level Physical Education Course.

The BTEC National in Sport (Level 3) or Alevel PE will be a natural extension in the sixth form. You could go on to study Physiotherapy and Sport Science courses at university – see UCAS website for more information on other courses that can be studied.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider a more vocational related course, such as Leisure and Recreation, or even coaching sports. Employment opportunities where your skills will be particularly valued include the sport and leisure industry, travel and tourism and teaching.

Course Outline: Entry Requirements

A proven interest in the study of Physical Education and Sport and a commitment to developing your Sport Leadership skills.

The BTEC First in Sports has been designed to build on learning from Key Stage 3 for those that may wish to explore vocational route throughout Key Stage 4 and in post-16 education.

It introduces you to the world of employment in Sport and provides a good basis to go on to a more advanced work-related qualification. This is a Level 2 course and is the equivalent of two GCSE’s at Grades A-C.

Students will complete 4 units throughout the course:

• Fitness for Sport and Exercise
• Practical Performance in Sport
• Applying the Principles of Personal Training
• Leading Sports Activities

If you enjoy the BTEC First in Sport Certificate, you may want to continue with the subject onto the Advanced Level Physical Education Course. The BTEC National Sport – Level 3 – will be a natural extension in the sixth form.

You could go on to study Physiotherapy and Sport Science courses at university – see UCAS website for more information on other courses that can be studied.

After sitting the GCSE PE qualification you may decide to progress onto the A Level Physical Education course with us in the sixth form. This course is a natural step up from the KS4 qualification as it builds on knowledge and develops wider thinking of a broader range of topics.

The course is made up of a 70% theory element, which consists of two exams and 30% practical, which assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate performance as well as show off your practical sporting skills in a sport of your choice. This practical element can be assessed as a performer or a coach.

Students will receive 10 lessons over the two weeks and this will consist of three lessons on Anatomy and Physiology, three lessons on Psychology, three lessons on Sociology and one lesson covering the practical aspect.

The two separate exams are split based on sporting ability. The first paper looks at the factors that affect novice performers whereas the second paper is focussed on factors that can impact an elite performer. The content covered provided multiple cross curricular opportunities with biology, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology and history.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider a more vocational related course, such as Leisure and Recreation, or even coaching sports courses which can be taken after you have completed your sixth form studies.

Employment opportunities where your skills will be particularly valued include the sport and leisure industry, travel and tourism and teaching. You may wish to follow this course for its own sake, or because you are interested in fitness and health and enjoy physical activity.

• Walthamstow Academy PE t-shirt
• Walthamstow Academy PE shorts
• Navy blue tracksuit bottoms
• Navy blue socks
• Trainers/running shoes

Walthamstow Academy PE kit can be purchased from Speedstitch.

• East Side Eagles: See extracurricular timetable for training sessions
• Cricket for Change: Donovan Miller TBC for summer term
• Waltham Forest Hockey Club: Waltham Forest HC is based at Walthamstow Academy and offers first class training to our students
• Saracens Rugby Club: See extracurricular timetable for training sessions
• And there is more to come...

Walthamstow Academy PE department strives to create and all inclusive supportive environment for every student to achieve their best in sport. We focus on the holistic student providing them with the opportunity to become physically, socially and morally literate individuals.

• Mr Ruel Gibson – Head of PE 
• Ms Emily Farley – Head of Year 8
• Mr Kris Pennock – Head of Year 11
• Mr James Parker – Assistant Principal
• Mr Aristo Jackson
• Ms Hayley Burns