Physical Education Staff Ms Heiskanen (Head of Department) Ms Kennedy Ms Shaw Ms Cadzow Ms Clohesy Mr Powell The school is regarded as one of the leading schools for promoting and developing the Physical Education (PE) curriculum and has held the prestigious Sportsmark Award since 1998. All girls benefit from a broad and balanced PE curriculum which is progressive, stimulating and challenging. The PE department has a vast number of extra curricular activities for all year groups which take place over lunchtime and after school. The department holds national team awards and several England representatives amongst its students. Girls learn to be committed and responsible and to work together for shared and personal goals.  PE - EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Click here to download the timetable of extra curricular activities run by the PE department. Key Stage 3 PE In Years 7-9, students will have two single lessons of PE per week. Each lesson ensures that pupils are taught to acquire and develop skills, improve performance and understand fitness and health. This is done through activities such as: • Games – Cricket, Netball, Basketball, Badminton • Dance • Gymnastics • Athletics Key Stage 4 PE Key Stage 4 is unique at The Grey Coat Hospital. We offer a variety of activities on and off site. There are a range of activities that the girls can develop their skills in including athletics, squash, badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball, dance and fencing. Girls will learn how to make informed choices about what role they want to take in each activity, judge how good their performance is, take decisions to improve and develop leadership skills. Students gain further understanding of the importance of exercise and activity to personal, social and mental health well being. GCSE PE We have a fantastic record of achievement as far as GCSE PE is concerned, with 100% of students obtaining an A* - C grade in the subject since 1999. GCSE PE gives candidates the opportunities to: • develop and apply their knowledge, skills, and understanding of physical education through selected practical games activities; • understand the role of rules and conventions in selected games activities; • promote their understanding of the health benefits and risks associated with taking part in physical activity; • develop the skills necessary to analyse and improve performance; • support their personal and social development through adopting different roles in selected games activities when working with others. GCSE PE is split into two parts; theory and practical. Whilst students will have three lessons per week in which to learn the theory (covering course units that look at factors affecting participation and performance in PE; the relationship between health, fitness and PE; and the risks associated to PE) they must commit their own time to learn the practical part of the course. The practical side of the course involves commitment to at least four activities from a selection of at least two category areas: games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, adventure, swimming and fitness. However students can use their core PE lessons as part of this and there are plenty of activities and clubs during lunch times and after school to help them along the way. BTEC PE in Years 10-11 Girls can also choose to take a BTEC in PE in Years 10 and 11 – this is equivalent to 2 GCSE’s A*-C. It is ideal for those seeking a career in the sports sector. BTEC in PE course subjects:  Core Optional The Body in Sport Health, safety and injury in sport The Sports Industry Preparation for Sport Planning and Leading Sport Activity Practical Sport Study Practical Outdoor and Adventurous Activity Sport Leaders At KS4, girls can choose to become Sports Leaders. Sports Leaders play a big part in the school community: initially they help with organising events such as the Gym and Dance Display or the Swimming Gala. They plan and run inter-form competitions during lunchtime and also teach Year 7fitness. After this initial experience, they will teach primary school children from local schools. They plan six lessons based around the Pentahlete Award. They are responsible for planning and setting up the lessons, as well as the health and safety of all pupils. As Sport Leaders they take a professional role, motivating the primary school pupils, encouraging them to do better, ensuring full participation and providing a fun and exciting experience. Our Sports Leaders gain an award and the feedback from the primary schools involved is always excellent. Dance Leaders Following on from the success of our Sports Leaders, the Dance Leaders award was introduced in January 2006, focusing on leadership through Dance. Here girls work with children from local primary schools to produce a small dance show to finalise the course and gain their award. Dance is a big favourite at The Grey Coat Hospital and this course will continue to grow as we develop it through feedback from the pupils. Advanced Level BTEC – National Certificate in Sport (Sports Development and Fitness) Ideal for those who hope to work in the Sports sector, this qualification is equivalent to two A Levels. Made up of twelve extended assignments, the course is completed over two years in the Sixth Form at Grey Coat and covers areas such as sport in society, the body in action, sporting ethics and values, health and safety, nutrition and weight management, fitness, working with children and principles of coaching.