Physical Education

Welcome to the PE Department

Here at St Ursula's, we in the Physical Education Department really try to promote having fun whilst learning some fundamental skills to improve the health and fitness of the students. This is emphasised during our lessons and extracurricular clubs. We have two full-time members of staff and have just employed another member of staff to boost the provision of Physical Education within the school.  

Within Key Stage Three they have two lessons a week and we aim for a broad and balanced curriculum with an emphasis on trying to expose the students to a variety of different activities for them to master the fundamental skills within a range of sports whilst working on their teamwork, communication and leadership skills. We presently are teaching fitness, netball, basketball and dance. In the summer we will cover sports such as tennis, rounders, cricket and athletics. One of the lessons a fortnight we have a theory lesson in which students cover some valuable topics such as diet, how to lead an active lifestyle, how the human body transforms through exercise and the benefits to their health and fitness.

 At Key Stage Four the students have one lesson a week and the aim of the curriculum is to continue with the process of mastering some fundamental skills in a variety of activities but the main emphasis is on having fun. They learn how to work with others, lead on different activities and improve their health and fitness. Activities that are covered at Key Stage Four are badminton, basketball, netball, fitness, table tennis, rounders and athletics.

 At Key Stage Four we also offer GCSE Physical Education which is a popular choice for the students. Within the GCSE you are assessed in three sports (30%) and have to complete a piece of coursework on your strongest activity (10%). Furthermore, there are two exams (60%) on applied anatomy and physiology, movement analysis, physical training, use of data, sport psychology, social-cultural influences, health fitness and well-being.

Since Easter St Ursula's has taken an active role in several tournaments. We had successful teams in the Cambridge Cup at Sutcliffe Park in which the current Year 9 finished second in Greenwich in Athletics. This term has also been involved in several football and netball fixtures with a range of results. The aim is to offer more students the opportunity to represent the school in these sports. For the first time in several years, we have a year 9/10 football team in the English School Football Association Cup.

I have been a Head of Department teaching for over 20 years. My main interest lies in the world of athletics and am still an active member of an athletic club that trains and competes when I can.  Erika Wright McCall has been teaching at St Ursula's for three years and comes from a coaching background and her main interest lies in cheerleading. The final member of the department is Helen Parrraga who is in the early stages of her teaching career and her main interests lie within football and basketball. 

 Ms K Clarke

Head of Physical Education