PE

Head of Department: Dave White

Deputy Head of Department: Tina Patel

Members of Department:

  • Jonathan Signore (Head of Chapman House
  • Laura Macaulay (Head of Pankhurst House)
  • Andy Cotterill (Year 11 Behaviour lead)
  • Quang Ngo
  • Anna Neves (Head Table Tennis Coach)

Morpeth School Physical Education staff teach within and beyond the framework laid down by the National Curriculum for PE.  Physical Education helps to change and improve the lives of young people. At Morpeth, we aim to develop a strong 'sporting culture' within school (teamwork, respect, discipline, creativity, enjoyment and sportsmanship) within which our pupils also develop personal qualities such as self-esteem and self-confidence. We are proud to teach a broad and balanced programme of physical activities where differentiated work is set as appropriate.  Pupils are challenged at their own level and progress is celebrated. Our pupils have an experience of different skills and concepts in a wide range of sports and exercise topics, to develop their knowledge as well as their practical performance. The idea that PE is not just about the ‘doing’ but also about the ‘thinking’ helps students enhance their oracy skills, when offering peer advice and feedback, gaining a greater understanding of  the benefits of maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.

Through learning different sets of physical and organisational skills, pupils will acquire essential social skills and work through many different emotions including the concept of ‘winning and losing’. The ability to offer and accept constructive criticism is emphasised. Maximum involvement and a high level of achievement is expected of every pupil.

We are strong believers that Physical Education develops young people far beyond just their physical abilities and skills. There are many ways in which we believe individuals can achieve in PE and our curriculum is designed to give individuals the qualities to be successful players, performers, coaches, officials and organisers. We find that by giving every student such a breadth of experience in each activity we bring the very best out of each individual and instil a love for sport, in whatever capacity, to the great majority of students. It is our aim that these skills are developed to inspire and empower them for life, creating an interest in sport and health that promotes future participation in physical activity beyond their school education, and a realisation of the importance and value of a healthy active lifestyle.

We are committed to providing qualifications of the highest quality for our students through GCSE PE. We also offer foundation pathway courses and the more vocational Sports Leadership programmes, at KS4. We strive to ensure that all examination candidates have the best conditions under which to complete practical and written work. It is our intention to set realistic goals and ensure positive feedback so that each pupil is aware of his/her own progress and gains the confidence to achieve at a higher level.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Curriculum and Enrichment Opportunities (Years 7-8)

  • All pupils are taught in mixed gender/ability classes in Year 7 and single sex classes in Year 8.
  • The department set realistic and challenging goals for all pupils and ensure positive feedback so that each pupil is aware of his/her own progress and gains the confidence to achieve a higher level.
  • In Year 7 pupils are taught a three week unit of Problem Solving skills as part of a baseline assessment unit. They are then taught 5 six week units including a mixture of: Invasion Games, Striking and Fielding Games, Gymnastics/Trampolining, Dance/HRF and Track and Field Athletics Events.
  • In Year 8 pupils are taught 5 six/seven week units including: Invasion Games, Net Games, Striking and Fielding Games, Gymnastics/Trampolining/Dance (Girls only), Health Related Fitness and Track and Field Athletics Events.
  • Competition weeks are included once a term.
  • Pupils are assessed practically at the end of each unit of work. In Key Stage 3 there is an end of year written test.
  • Health Related Fitness practical and theoretical activities are taught throughout Key Stage 3. Homework is set online every 2 weeks and students complete a self-assessment proforma at the end of each unit.
  • On site there is a fully equipped Sports Hall, Gymnastics Hall, Table Tennis Hall, Dance Studio, Fitness Suite and Multi Use Games Area.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

  • Pupils are taught in single sex classes in Year 9, mixed gender classes in Year 10 and a combination of single sex and mixed classes in Year 11.
  • In Year 9 pupils are taught 5 six/seven week units including: Invasion Games, Net Games, Striking and Fielding Games, Trampolining/Health Related Fitness and Track and Field Athletics Events.
  • In Year 10 pupils are taught 6 six week units including: Invasion Games, Badminton, Table Tennis, Mini Games, Summer Sports and Health Related Fitness.
  • Pupils in Year 9 and 10 can opt to take a GCSE foundation pathway course.
  • All pupils are entered on an equivalent Level 1 Sports Leadership Award course in Year 10.
  • Pupils in Year 10 and 11 can opt to take a Full GCSE Edexcel PE course. All students taking accredited course are expected to complete online homework through Google Classroom.
  • In Year 11 Pupils follow 3 eight week units where they can opt from a wide range of sports in core PE lessons. This choice includes: Football, Basketball, Trampolining, Health Related Fitness/Weight Training, Badminton, Table Tennis and Mini Games.
  • Pupils have access to a fully equipped Fitness Suite. Pupils have the opportunity to enhance their practical skills and personal fitness levels.

Other Important Things to Know

  • Lunchtimes and afterschool fixtures are organised against local schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney in many sports.
  • Inter-tutor competitions are offered throughout the year.
  • A Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Sports Day is run, with every pupil involved in an event at Mile End Athletics Stadium in June.
  • The school has a Table Tennis Centre of Excellence and our pupils regularly compete in the National Finals. Pupils have represented England in International competitions, including the 2016 and 2021 Paralympics.

Curriculum overview

The aim of Physical Education is to provide appropriate opportunities and experiences for individuals to achieve their optimum potential in the subject. Physical Education is primarily concerned with physical capabilities but the associated aspects of knowledge and understanding are also vital components for all children. Additionally the development of personal skills within a social setting can be enhanced by participating in an appropriate and sensitively designed Physical Education programme.

It is to be acknowledged that the aim of Physical Education is to encompass enjoyment and satisfaction and thereby encourage a lifelong commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle. The whole department works to raise the profile of sport both within the school and the wider community.

 Fundamental Aims of the Department:

•To encourage and motivate all students to develop their full potential through a range of purposeful, yet enjoyable activities within a challenging environment.

•To encourage students to plan their own responses to set tasks.

•To develop an understanding of the benefits of participation in physical activity now and in later life.

•To enable students to be familiar with a body of knowledge, principles and vocabulary related to P.E.

•To develop an appreciation of skilful and creative performances in a variety of sports activities.

•To employ teaching methods and resources that allow all students (irrespective of their gender, ethnic origin, academic ability, etc.) to have equal access to P.E, and to experience success and enjoyment in their P.E. work.

•To show equality in developing opportunities for all students and foster the culture of inclusion.

•To promote the development of interpersonal skills (organisation, co-operation, initiative and responsibility) and to heighten self-esteem, whilst encouraging tolerance of and respect for other groups and individuals.

•To provide the necessary stimuli to encourage the development of decision making, imaginative thinking and problem solving.

•To encourage students to develop personal qualities of commitment, fairness and enthusiasm and an appreciation of honest competition and good sportsmanship.

•To allow students to develop informed opinions and to be able to support them by reasonable arguments.

•To provide students with the opportunities to work with others in the wider community.

•To make students aware of local community sports clubs where they can build upon skills learnt in at Morpeth and further develop their social skills.

In general terms our aim is to equip all pupils at Morpeth with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to participate in and enjoy sport. It is our aim that these skills are developed to inspire and empower them for life, creating an interest in sport and health that promotes future participation in physical activity beyond their school education, and a realisation of the importance and value of a healthy active lifestyle.

Key Aspects of Teaching

•           Individual and group work which demands varying degrees of competition/collaboration

•           Encouraging an appreciation of movement, form of balance and environment

•           Developing a sense of performance

•           Sharing in the values of sport as participants, organisers, officials and spectators

•           Encouraging an interest in sport which will continue into adult life with a sense of enjoyment, satisfaction, achievement and sharing

•           Fostering links with the community through primary schools, local sports clubs, Tower Hamlets Sports Development Team and Sport England.

Range and Content at KS 3 and Year 9

All lessons in Year 7 are mixed gender/ability and they receive one core lesson each week that lasts one hour and fifty minutes. In Year 8 and Year 9 pupils are taught in single sex groups, the exception being one gifted and talented mixed gender group due to cohort numbers.

•           Outwitting Opponents (Football, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Table-Tennis, Rounders, Hockey)

•           Accurate Replication (Gymnastics, Dance, Athletics, Trampolining, HRF, Sub-routines in games activities)

•           Exploring and communicating ideas (Dance, Gymnastics, Leadership, Team challenges)

•           Performing at Maximum levels (Athletics, HRF,)

•           Identifying and Solving Problems (Team challenges, Orienteering)

•           Exercising Safely and Effectively (HRF)

The activities that are taught include:

•           Athletics

•           Net games – Badminton or Table Tennis

•           Dance

•           Invasion Games - Football, Netball, Hockey or Basketball

•           Gymnastics or Trampolining

•           Health Related Fitness

•           Striking and Fielding Games – Rounders or Cricket

These activities are mainly carried out on site making use of the reasonably new sports hall, a gymnasium, a dance studio, a purpose built Table Tennis hall and a Multi fitness weights room. We also have our own theory classroom. We also have a floodlit outdoor AstroTurf MUGA (Multi Use Games Area).

Health Related Fitness is a strand that is taught in KS3 and yr9 and there is an expectation that pupils learn terminology connected with GCSE theory.

KS4 Physical Education:

At Key Stage 4 pupils currently follow a set program during year 10 that incorporates an equivalent alternative Sports Leadership Award Level 1. All year 10’s study:

  • Role of the official and fair play - Badminton
  • Outdoor and adventurous activities - Rock Climbing (temporarily unavailable due to Covid-19 restrictions)
  • Use of tactics and strategies -Invasion Games,
  • Role of a coach delivering a planned session -Mini Games and Table Tennis
  • Evaluating performance and developing personal fitness technique – HRF
  • Accurate Replication of skills, data recording and data comparison -Athletics, Summer Sports

These activities are done on and off site and introduce the pupils to facilities available in the local community. Year 11’s participate in three 8 week programs selecting from the above options. The main emphasis is on participation and enjoyment and opportunities to continue to take part regularly in competitive and non-competitive sports and activities.

There is a PE GCSE class following the EDEXCEL course and in 2022 there was a significant improvement in the results, culminating in 74% of pupils achieving level 5-9.  This year we also offered GCSE Dance following the AQA course as an option for Key Stage 4, culminating in 100% of pupils achieving level 4-9. There is also a PE GCSE foundation pathway class in Key stage 4 which mirrors elements of the GCSE PE course with a combination of knowledge from theory paper 1 and paper 2 and elements of the written coursework (in the form of a Personal Exercise Plan) and practical topics.

The Extended Curriculum:

The ethos of the department is epitomised by the dedication of the staff within it.  Staff are consistently willing to commit their own time to extend the opportunities for students beyond the curriculum.  The department has developed an extensive extra-curricular program to meet the demands of the pupils. Examples of extra-curricular opportunities ran by the PE department staff throughout the year include:

  • Table Tennis
  • Fitness & Weight Training
  • Inclusive sports
  • Rugby/Tag Rugby
  • Climbing (GCSE Students- temporarily unavailable due to Covid-19 restrictions
  • Indoor Cricket

The department offers a wide range of activities and is actively involved in most events run by Tower Hamlets. Fixtures are arranged with many of the local schools and extra-curricular activities receive support not only in a physical sense but also financially. Morpeth has strong links with Tower Hamlets Sports Council and provides students to represent the borough in a variety of sports in the London Youth Games. Over the last ten years Morpeth table tennis program has become a centre of excellence with the school reaching the English Schools finals regularly. Many of the pupils on the program are highly ranked in London, Essex and England. Our Girls U16 team has twice been selected to represent England at the World Schools Championships. Former student Ashley Facey-Thomson is a two time Paralympian Table Tennis player class 9.

 

Assessment Plan

Click here for the PE Assessment Plan