Physical Education

Applications Open: - Now

Applications Close: - Friday 13th February 2026 (This is the official deadline, when planning for the new timetable will begin; however, applications may still be accepted after this date.)

Entry Requirements: - 6 GCSE passes at Grade 5+, including a minimum of Grade 5 in Mathematics and English.

How to Apply: - Apply via KentChoices

Why study this subject?

This course will create confident, independent learners and decision makers who can work both independently and as part of a team. The course will appeal to those students who:

• Have a keen interest in sport and recreation

• Want to follow a course that develops the theoretical aspects through practical application

• Want to know more about how the body and mind functions and the effects of exercise

• Want to study the structure and history of sport in the UK and abroad

• Want to evaluate and improve their own sporting performance

• May want to move onto a related career or higher education course

Physical education combines with a range of A Level subjects including: business studies, psychology, history and maths. Taken with sciences, particularly with biology, it supports applications for a wide range of university courses including: Sports sciences, sports therapies, sport-specific coaching, recreational and leisure studies. It also provides an insight and depth into physiotherapy, osteopathy, occupational therapy and similar careers.

Some students choose to use their qualification to go straight into employment, rather than go on to higher education. Since A Level physical education develops the transferable skills and the key skills that employers are looking for, they can lead to a very wide range of employment opportunities. This can include further training in areas such as: armed forces, civil services, recreational management and various leisure activities.

Component 1: Physiological factors affecting performance

• Applied anatomy and physiology

• Exercise physiology

• Biomechanics.

Component 2: Psychological factors affecting performance

• Skill acquisition

• Sports psychology.

Component 3: Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

• Sport and society

• Contemporary issues in physical activity and sport.

Component 4: Performance in physical education

• • Performance or coaching of 1 activity taken from the approved lists - (see OCR AS and GCE Guide to NEA in Physical Education). This performance or coaching needs to be participated in on a regular basis. i.e. weekly training at the very least.

Evaluation and Analysis of Performance for Improvement (EAPI) – assessed by an oral presentation

Component 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

2 hours; 90 marks; 30% of the A Level qualification

Component 2: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance

1 hour; 60 marks; 20% of the A Level qualification

Component 3: Socio-cultural Issues in Physical Activity and Sport

1 hour; 60 marks; 20% of the A Level qualification

Component 4: Performance in Physical Education

Non-exam assessment (NEA): 60 marks; 30% of the A Level qualification

GCSE grade 5 in Physical Education and 5 in Biology, or 55 in Combined Science, or 5 in Biology, or 55 in Combined Science, along with evidence of sporting ability if not studied previously.

Please apply directly to our School or visit our website to download an application form.

admissions@srms.kent.sch.uk