PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OVERALL AIM

The optimum physical development of the individual through the acquisition of techniques and skills in a range of individual and team activities, along with an understanding and appreciation of human movement and a positive to health and fitness through participation in physical activity.

 Aims of the P.E. Department. 

1. To assist pupils in the acquisition, development and application of techniques and skills in a variety of physical activities.

2. To promote an understanding of human performance during physical activity.

3. To promote an understanding of the relationship between physical activity and general good health and an awareness of safety within physical education.

4. To encourage and allow pupils to participate at their own level of performance, whilst allowing some to compete at a high level in a range of activities.

5. To develop an enjoyment in taking part in physical activity and to encourage continued participation during leisure time and adult life.

6. To develop an awareness of the aesthetic, creative and expressive nature of movement.

7. To foster habits of responsibility and self-discipline and to promote initiative and co-operation through participation in physical activity.

8. To promote physical education as an enjoyable and valuable activity, that pupils of a wide range of backgrounds and abilities can participate regularly.

9. To enable pupils to acquire a suitable basis for further study, experience or a career in physical education, sport or leisure.

10. To prepare pupils for entry into external exams by enhancing their thinking skills and personal capabilities within the theory of education, by making pupils recognise the skills of managing information, working with others, thinking, problem solving, decision making, self management and being creative.

Department structure and organisation

Structure

         (A)   The nature of the Department

The P.E. Department consists of five full time P.E. specialists, one fitness suite staff, other members of Staff and some outside helpers who help during double period games lessons. The staff have access to a variety of on site and off site facilities of a high standard through which they implement a well-structured programme of physical education.

The work of the physical education department is designed to support, contribute to and complement the overall aims of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

The department aims to provide an enjoyable, satisfying and balanced program with opportunities for every pupil to develop physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially.

A comprehensive and balanced range of activities and experiences will endeavour to meet the needs of all the pupils and encourage active involvement inside and outside school. These activities are well structured through schemes of work, which provide for continuity, progression, challenge, a sense of achievement and enjoyment. These schemes are under constant evaluation and will be linked to detailed pupil profiling and reporting system. The teaching approaches allow for individual, group and team work, and encourage decision-making by the pupil, high levels of activity and a safe working environment.

The development of confidence, tolerance, fair play and the appreciation of personal and other people's strengths and weaknesses are also considered to be important within the learning process.

Finally it is hoped that the program offered, along with knowledge of local leisure and sporting opportunities within the local community, will develop in the pupils the knowledge, skills and attitudes conductive to learning an active and healthy lifestyle.

Curriculum, timetable and staffing. 

Physical education is compulsory for all pupils in R.B.A.I. from years 8 through to year 12. A varied program of activities is provided for each year and these are in accordance with the requirements outlined for P.E. in the Education Reform (N.I.) 1989 and the revised curriculum 2007.(Subject to the facilities available in the school.)

PE is also offered as a examination subject at GCSE, AS and A2 level.

Curriculum time for practical classes

All pupils receive at least three periods of P.E. per week.

The breakdown by year is as follows: -

Year 8.  4 periods, 1 double for P.E.

                                                       1 double for games.

Year 9.  4 periods, 1 double for P.E.

                                                       1 double for games.

Year 10.  4 periods, 1 double for P.E.

                                                       1 double for games.

Year 11. 3 periods, 1 single for P.E.

                                                       1 double for games.

Year 12.  1 period, 1 single for P.E.

                                                       1 double for games optional.

(In years 11 and 12 some classes receive an extra PE period due to their GCSE Timetable)

P.E. operates in years 13 and 14 on an optional basis as part of the Schools General Studies Programme and a full programme is available for pupils.

Periods are normally 35 minutes in length although games classes operate on a different time scale due to travelling to off site facilities and the length of the session is determined by the member of staff in charge of the particular group.

Programmes of study for Key Stage 3

Athletics.

Skill Development

Gymnastics

Swimming and Life Saving.

Basketball

Health-Related Fitness

Games Activities

Programmes of Study for Key Stage 4

Health Related PE

Volleyball

Basketball

Water polo

Soccer

Athletics

Examination Physical Education, GCSE, AS and A2

Health Related Fitness PE

Games

Examination Physical Education 

Year 11 GCSE            Theory 2 single periods

                                    Practical 1 double period

Year 12 GCSE            Theory 2 single periods

                                    Practical 1 double period

Year 13 AS                 8 periods per week

Year 14 A2                 8 periods per week

Examination results 2009. 

GCSE – 45 candidates 100% A*- B

                                                24 A*

                                                13 A

                                                  8 B

AS –    16 candidates               6 A

                                                6 B

                                                1 C

                                                2 D

A2  -   21 candidates                100% A-E

2 A

                                                4 B

                                                7 C

                                                6 D

                                                2 E

Large Gymnasium

Contains all equipment necessary for the teaching of gymnastics in relation to our Programme of Study in this area. It also has provision for basketball, fitness/circuit training and has a climbing wall for the use of the Mountaineering Club.

Sports Hall

This fantastic facility contains all the necessary equipment for us to follow our Programmes of Study for Skill Development, Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball and Soccer. It is also equipped with a tennis court, indoor cricket nets and a netball court.

Leisure/Fitness Suite

This facility allows us to offer a quality Health Related PE Programme and contains a variety of modern and hi-tech cardio-vascular, resistance and free weights equipment. The fitness suite is due to be extended and refurbished during summer 2008. This facility is staffed by a suitably trained fitness instructor.

Swimming Pool

This is a 25m pool with all the equipment necessary to follow our Programmes of Study for Swimming, Life Saving and Water Polo.

Changing facilities available at school.

A) Large gym - 1 changing room and showering facilities (Needs refurbished).

B) Sports hall / leisure suite - 2 changing rooms with showering facilities, disabled facilities and staff changing.

C) Swimming pool - 2 changing rooms and showering facilities.

  1.    Outdoor Facilities 

A) School playground, Front Lawn and long jump pit - used for soccer, athletics, basketball, health related fitness softball and Year 8 Rugby.

B) Osborne Park - pavilion with 1 staff changing room and 8 pupil changing rooms, 2 shower areas, a kitchen and reception room and toilet facilities.

3 full size rugby pitches, 2 other pitches, 2 training areas (1 of which is floodlit)

3 tennis courts.

An International standard cricket square.

2 artificial cricket mats and 6 nets for practice.

Canada verses Uganda in an ICC World Cup qualifying match at Osborne

Canada verses Uganda in an ICC World Cup qualifying match at Osborne

C) Bladon Park- opened in 2007, new changing and showering facilities for up to 8 teams.

2 full size rugby pitches.

1 full size shale hockey pitches

1 full size football pitch

1 full size cricket pitch (artificial wicket)

D) Shaws Bridge Playing Fields – an international standard, water-based Astroturf hockey pitch.