Morpeth School badge

Morpeth School

Physical Education

Head of Department: Dave White

The PE Department currently has 4 full time members of staff and 4 part time, all of whom teach within and beyond the framework laid down by the National Curriculum for PE. We teach a broad and balanced program of physical activities where differentiated work is set as appropriate. Pupils are challenged at their own level and relative success is recognised.

The current Physical Education department is strong, supportive and committed to working together as an effective team and is determined to build on recent successes and to develop other areas of the curriculum presently offered to Morpeth pupils. 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 a higher level. All pupils are assessed at the end of each practical six week unit of work and a coaching and written assessment is set twice a year.

Social and emotional skills

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 strive to ensure that all examination candidates have the best conditions under which to complete practical and written work.

All lessons are mixed gender/ability and all year groups receive one core lesson each week that lasts one hour and fifty minutes. The activities that are taught include:

New Fitness Suite cycling machine

New Fitness Suite cycling machine

These activities are carried out on site making use of the sports hall, an activities hall, a gymnasium and a large playing area, plus a new Fitness suite housed in the new Arts building. Health Related Fitness is a strand that is taught in year 8 and 9 and there is an expectation that pupils learn terminology connected with GCSE theory.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4 pupils currently follow a set program during year 10 that incorporates the Junior Sports Leadership Award.

All Year 10s study:

These activities are done on and off site and introduce the pupils to facilities available in the local community.

Year 11s participate in three 10 week programmes selecting from the above options as well as Trampolining, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Netball and Aerobics. The main emphasis is on participation and enjoyment.

There are two GCSE classes following the EDEXCEL course and since 2003 there has been a significant improvement in the results.

Extra-curricular activities

The department has developed an extensive extra-curricular program to meet the demands of the pupils. It 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. Over the last three years Morpeth‘s table tennis program has become almost 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.

We currently run clubs for girls and boys in the following activities:

The school also competed in the Panathlon multi sport event and regularly reached the London final, and in 2004 managed to reach the national final at Crystal Palace.

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 empower them for life, creating an interest in sport and health that promotes future participation in physical activity beyond their school education.