Physical Education A Level

Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)

Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)

How to apply:

- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)

- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.

- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.

- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.

Why choose PE?

Studying AS or A Level Physical Education will give you a fantastic insight into the amazing world of sports performance. Not only will you have the chance to perform or coach a sport through the non-exam assessment component, you will also develop a wide-ranging knowledge into the how and why of physical activity and sport.

PE is a subject that opens doors to a number of careers and life options. Sport, nutrition and health and huge topics of discussion in the world today, and as the fight against obesity and sedentary lifestyle issues continues, the knowledge you gain from a course such as this will only grow in importance and relevance.

Students will study six components that are both internally and externally assessed, these are:

AS-Level Units:

• Unit 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

• Unit 2: Psychological and Socio-cultural themes in PE

• Unit 3: Performance within Physical Education

A-Level Units:

• Unit 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

• Unit 2: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance

• Unit 3: Socio-cultural and Contemporary Issues

• Unit 4: Performance within Physical Education

AS Level

Physiological factors affecting performance

70 marks

1 hour 15 minute written paper

35% of total AS Level

Psychological and socio-cultural themes in physical education

70 marks

1 hour 15 minute written paper

35% of total AS level

Performance in physical education

60 marks

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

30% of total AS level

A Level

Physiological factors affecting performance

90 marks

2 hour written paper

30% of total A Level

Psychological factors affecting performance

60 marks

1 hour written paper

20% of total A Level

Socio-cultural issues in physical activity and sport

60 marks

1 hour written paper

20% of total A Level

Performance in physical education

60 marks

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

30 % of total A Level

A minimum of 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 5/BTEC Level 2 Pass or higher:

Including

• GCSE PE Grade 6.

• GCSE Mathematics Grade 5.

• GCSE English Language Grade 5.

• Students are also expected to play a sport to high club level or above.

The sport industry contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy. The industry employs more than 400,000 people and offers many career openings in a range of areas. Studying this qualification will allow you to progress to higher education and/or undertake any of the following sports specific careers:

• Fitness training
• Sports coaching
• Teaching physical education
• Sports physiotherapy
• Sports psychology
• Leisure management
• Sports development