Physical Education at Malvern
Physical Education is offered as both a practical and academic discipline at Malvern College. In the Foundation Year (year 9) during key stage 3, pupils follow a practical programme that ensures that they become more expert in skills and techniques and learn how to apply them in different activities. They start to understand what makes an effective performance and how to apply these principles to their own and others' work.
Academic P.E. begins in the Remove (year 10) when approximately half of the pupils opt to follow a course leading to GCSE Physical Education. The most able pupils practically are entered for the AQA Double Award leading to two GCSE's and the remainder are entered for the AQA Single Award. Both courses contain practical and theoretical components and are completed during years 10 and 11 (key stage 4). For those not taking GCSE our Core Physical Education Programme remains compulsory for all pupils.
In the Sixth Form, Physical Education is offered as an A-level course and is also available as part of the IB Diploma where pupils can study Sport & Exercise Science. The A-level syllabus is based on the interaction between the theory and practice of Physical Education with the Lower Sixth the AS-level forms 50% of the assessment weighting and the second year A2 completes the full A-level. The Sport & Exercise Science course can only currently be studied at standard level with higher level due to start in 2011. Both syllabuses provide an excellent foundation for students intending to apply to university or those who wish to pursue careers in professional sport, teaching and coaching, the leisure industry, recreational management and the health and fitness industry.