Intent

Physical Education at Kettering Science Academy is a subject that is integral to the ethos of the school whilst being completely unique in its own design of practical teaching and assessment and the key life skills developed through high quality teaching. Physical education caters for 100% of the pupils at Kettering Science Academy, guiding the technically gifted to achieve excellence through continued development of areas of strength, school representation opportunities and opportunities for academic success in Physical Education subjects. KSA provides opportunities to experience new activities and developing a key understanding of a healthy active lifestyle ensuring that no pupil is left behind.

The curriculum is developed in a way that all pupils are catered for and can achieve progress over time regardless of technical and practical ability. Physical Education is a subject for everyone and adheres strictly to the academy mantra of Knowledge, Strength and Ambition.

Knowledge

By the time pupils leave Kettering Science Academy they will all have a developed understanding of the skills, tactics and rules of a wide range of physical sports. Along with the practical element of Physical Education pupils will also develop their understanding of the science of sport. The impact of participation in sports and physical activity on the body systems including; The muscular and skeletal systems; cardiovascular and respiratory systems and mental health and wellbeing. Pupils will develop a knowledge of key components of fitness, methods of training and form links to developing their own performance.

It is imperative that pupils develop the understanding of the importance of physical activity in leading a healthy and active lifestyle and, through teaching in Physical Education, how to go about doing this in a way that best suits them.

There are clear links between PE and Science at Kettering Science Academy. During PE lessons we will cover the anatomy and physiology of the human body, the names and locations of bones and muscles, the various body systems as well as the short and long term effects of exercise on the body.

Strength

Physical Education at Kettering Science Academy allows all pupils to work to their strengths. Providing opportunities to play in familiar sports and continuing to develop in these areas whilst introducing new and exciting opportunities where they can transfer already developed skills to broaden their physical portfolio. Pupils are guided and encouraged to seek further development and participation activities through the use of an extensive and inclusive co-curricular provision.

Pupils at Kettering Science Academy are given the opportunity to develop strengths in Physical Education through practical ability, academic ability and leadership skills. All pupils can achieve progress in PE through an inclusive assessment plan. 

Assessment in Physical Education is based upon a criteria set out whereby students are graded using one of the four following words - emerging, developing, securing or mastery. Across these four grades, students are assessed across different aspects of PE including core skill proficiency, decision making/tactics in a game situation, knowledge of sport rules and regulations and understanding theoretical content. Students are assessed termly in every sport that is delivered, receiving a grade based off the above criteria for each one. 

Ambition

All pupils at Kettering Science Academy are encouraged to be the best they can be regardless of practical ability. There is an expectation that all pupils will, by the time they leave KSA, will know the importance and how to live a healthy active lifestyle. Careers that can be accessed through Physical Education will be an important focus for each year group at KSA with termly careers events linked to the subject. These include first aid, becoming a personal trainer, and sports psychology. During first aid, students are made aware of how to respond to an individual who is in danger e.g., injured, or unconscious, how to put an individual in the recovery position as well as how to carry out CPR. Within our personal training event, we expose students to the life of a PT and what they would typically do with a client of theirs. Students lead mini sessions to their peers based upon what component of fitness their client wishes to improve. During sports psychology, students look into the psychology of what makes individuals successful in sport, what might act as a barrier for success, as well as participating in activities that look at different areas of psychology e.g., motivation, personality.

All pupils at Kettering Science Academy will make progress in PE regardless of their practical ability or sporting history.

At Kettering Science Academy we strive for success academically and competitively. Pupils will have opportunity to represent the school and numerous individual and team based sporting events. With the implementation of co-curricular activities we aim to develop pupils further in preparation for competitive performance at local and county level.

The Physical Education curriculum changes lives due to its inclusive nature and wide variety of activities, giving pupils opportunities they may never have had otherwise with staff who;

- Deliver high quality practical and theory lessons

- Have high expectations of all pupils at KSA

- Allow pupils the freedom to express themselves physically and verbally

- Develop the whole pupil and not just the practical element

- Are approachable, diligent and proactive

Pupils are motivated to be the best they can be by staff who deliver unique and exciting lessons and have a clear passion for the subject. We aim to deliver an inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of all students at Kettering Science Academy covering a range of activates and enabling Physical Literacy to be enhanced at all age groups.

Please see below for more information of the core content delivered in this subject at KS3:

At KS4, students will be in pathway groups based on their personality and their reasons for taking part in sport. The pathways include performance (competitive), recreation (take part for fun), health & wellbeing (wanting to improve/maintain fitness levels) and leadership (officiating, coaching, assessing). In these groups, students will be with peers of the same mentality participating in sports that match their personality characteristics.