Purpose and Aims of the Course
The Higher & AH PE course allows students to study a new subject and achieve an SQA accredited award.
The course aims to:
· develop a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills, and demonstrate them safely and effectively across a range of challenging contexts
· select and apply skills and make informed decisions to effectively perform in physical activities
· analyse mental, emotional, social, and physical factors that impact on performance
· understand how skills, techniques and strategies combine to produce an effective performance
· analyse and evaluate performance
It is strongly recommended that candidates are involved with a club/team for the school or externally to help raise their practical performance. If PE staff don’t have the required expertise to assess a practical activity, then an alternative choice will likely be required. S5 candidates that are finding the course demanding have the option of sitting a two year Higher.
Is Physical Education for me?
You will enjoy this subject if:
- you take part in sport and physical activity on a regular basis
- you enjoy working in teams
- you enjoying setting yourself targets and working hard to meet those targets
- you enjoy looking at the different factors that influence performance
‘For those with an interest in sport it is a great choice of subject. The practical side of the course allows you to experience different challenges from a normal academic subject and offers great variety. From my experience, the theory side of the course can be demanding, but with practice it can all fit into place.’
Lorne Leggat
Higher
Course Assessment. The PE course assessment is divided into two elements.
Component 1 — performance 60 marks (scaled to 50%)
Students will work towards demonstrating a comprehensive range of movements and performance skills in physical activities.
Two different activities are required at Higher level – Assessed on seven different criteria
Component 2 — 2 hour 30 minute question paper 50 marks (50%)
Total 110 marks (scaled to 100)
The Higher question paper has three mandatory sections and samples from these five broad areas:
· factors impacting on performance
· methods of collecting information to analyse factors impacting on performance
· key planning information
· performance development process
· recording, monitoring, and evaluating performance development
Project (70 marks)
The project assesses candidates’ ability to integrate and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of the factors that impact on performance. The project assesses candidates’ research and investigation skills, as well as their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to performance development. Candidates research a topic that has an impact on either their performance or the performance of another person, team, or group.
The project should be 4,000–5,000 words, excluding references, footnotes, and appendices. Candidates must submit the word count for the project, excluding appendices, footnotes, and references.
Due to the extensive research and writing involved in the project there will be limited practical lessons in the AHPE course.
Performance (30 marks)
The performance assesses candidates’ ability to carry out a single performance in one physical activity in a challenging, competitive and/or demanding context
Higher
Weekly, challenging homework tasks are issued to consolidate the work completed in class. It is essential that these tasks are completed in detail and on time to avoid students falling behind.
AHPE
The 5,000 word project will be competed continuously throughout the session. Sections will be submitted on a regular basis and candidates will be required to work independently.
- develop and improve your physical fitness
- learn how to plan a fitness programme
- learn how to analyses your own performance using software packages
- develop your team working skills
Influential Scottish Sporting Figures
Sir Andy Murray was the first British Wimbledon Men’s Singles Champion in over 70 years. He has won many other titles including Gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. He has battled back from injuries that have ended the careers of others and is an ambassador for equality in sport.
Laura Muir is a champion middle distance runner She is a record holder and has won Gold in the European Championships. Her mile run record puts her in the top 20 world all time fastest.Laura has achieved great things in her running and has also recently qualified as a Vet graduating from Glasgow University
Marc Austin is a former pupil of Jordanhill and he is a Commonwealth Games medallist winning Bronze in Triathlon at the Gold Coast games in 2018. Marc has trained with the British team and has trained with the Brownlee brothers as part of the British team. He trained for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow whilst also studying for his degree in Maths at Stirling University.
Jax Thoirs is a former Jordanhill pupil who specialises in the high jump. He has represented Scotland in this event.
