A Level Physical Education - Invicta Grammar School

Applications Open: 14th November 2025

Applications Close: 13th March 2026

Entry Requirements: - Five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English, and the individual subject entry requirements.

How to Apply: Please apply via the Kent Choices website.

How many subjects can you choose: - You MUST choose 3 subjects (these can be mixture of A-level or BTEC's). Please DO NOT choose anymore than 5 subjects.

Please note that if you are intending to study a course at Invicta Grammar School as part of your course choices, you can only study one Invicta course (maximum) alongside two Valley Park courses.

If you wish to make any changes, you can do so via your application page or send us a message.

Your application will be acknowledged and conditional offer letters will be sent out after the closing date.

The A Level specification is a linear course where students will sit all their exams and their non-exam assessment at the end of the two year course. A Level PE involves two papers. Paper one is based on factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport and paper two is based on factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport. Both papers involve multiple choice, short answer questions and extended writing. Each paper is broken down into three units. The first unit that paper one comprises of is applied anatomy and physiology. During this topic, candidates will study the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, musculo-skeletal system and energy systems. The second unit is based on skill acquisition. During this topic, students will learn about principles of theories of learning and performance, use of guidance and feedback, and information processing. The final topic, sport and society, comprises of sub-topics relating to industrial and post-industrial sports and post-World War 2 sports. Paper two comprises of exercise physiology and biomechanics, sport psychology, such as personality, arousal, anxiety, motivation, goal setting and stress management. The final unit, sport and society and technology in sport, includes topics such as ethics in sport, drugs and violence in sport, and the impact of commercialisation on physical activity and sport. Students should note that the theoretical elements are worth 70% of the final grade. The practical element of the course is worth 30% of the A Level and involves students being assessed as a performer or coach in a full sided version of one activity. Students must also complete a written analysis of their performance. It is strongly recommended that students participate in a sport outside of school and play competitively at either club, district or regional level. Physical education offers students the ability to develop skills including leadership, team work and communication, which will transfer positively in higher education. In addition to careers associated with sport and teaching, this course might lead to such diverse careers as management and the medical field. One of the requirements to complete A Level PE is that the candidate participates in sport outside of school for a club and to a competent standard.

Students are required to achieve a grade 7 or above in GCSE PE. Students should also play in one sport at club, district or national level. Students studying PE BTEC courses are required to achieve a distinction star.

This course can be studied as part of the Valley Park Curriculum offer where students within the Valley Invicta Academy trust may avail of courses on offer in our partner schools across the trust.