Physical Education
At Burlington House Senior School, PE is all about fun, adventure, and trying new things! Our pupils get to explore a wide variety of sports and activities, discovering the joy of movement while building skills that last a lifetime. Every game, challenge, and playful activity is designed to keep them active, happy, and healthy.
Lessons are planned hand-in-hand with our on-site occupational therapy team, making sure every pupil can join in and shine. Whenever we can, we take the fun beyond the classroom to specialised venues, giving everyone the chance to try something new and exciting.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 Physical Education makes up three hours of each pupil’s weekly timetable. The curriculum is designed to inspire independent motivation to exercise, often taking advantage of offsite facilities to provide new and exciting experiences.
Our program also encourages pupils to develop social skills and work collaboratively outside the traditional classroom environment while completing their GCSE studies.
Termly Curriculum:
- Autumn Term: Large ball games, striking & fielding, fitness, and para sports
- Spring & Summer Terms: Gym sessions with health club access and bouldering
Lessons are carefully planned alongside the Occupational Therapy team to support pupils in developing coordination and movement skills tailored to their needs.
All pupils also take part in a wellbeing-focused session, Mindful Movement, which includes gentle activities such as ‘walk and talk’ in the local park, yoga, meditation, and other calming exercises. This session helps pupils connect mind and body, promoting positive strategies for both physical and mental regulation.
BTEC PE – Sport & Coaching Principles
Pupils are able to choose Physical Education as a BTEC option in Year 10.
The BTEC PE WJEC Specification is divided into 3 components which are assessed internally and externally:
- Unit 1: Fitness For Sport (Exam) Externally assessed (40%)
- Unit 2: Improving Sporting Performance (Coursework) – Internally assessed (25%)
- Unit 3: Coaching Principles (Written Plan & Filmed Practical) – Internally assessed (35%)
Due to the nature of the WJEC Sport and Coaching Principles Level 1/2 syllabus being 70% theory-based, the four weekly lessons will primarily focus on developing content knowledge and preparing pupils for assessment. This ensures learners build a strong understanding of the key concepts such as the skills and responsibilities of a coach, the coaching process, and reviewing performance.
However, to ensure engagement and practical application, theory content will be regularly reinforced through practical demonstrations, scenario-based tasks, and short applied coaching activities. This blended approach allows pupils to not only recall theoretical knowledge but also apply it in realistic sporting situations, supporting both AO1 (knowledge/recall) and AO2 (application) demands of the course.
The course is particularly suitable for pupils who:
- Have a strong interest in sport, fitness, and physical activity.
- Enjoy linking theory to practice (e.g., analysing how coaching skills work in different sports).
- Can work independently and take responsibility for their own learning, especially when revising theoretical content.
- Are considering progression into BTEC Sport, A-Level PE, or vocational pathways in sport and coaching.
Termly Curriculum:
Y10
- Autumn Term: Unit 3 – Coaching Principles.
- Spring & Summer Term: Unit 2 – Improving Sporting Performance
Y11
- Autumn – Summer Term: Unit 1 – Fitness for Sport
By structuring the lessons with a clear focus on theory while embedding practical examples, pupils will be well prepared to succeed in both the internally assessed assignments and the externally assessed exam paper, reflecting the demands of the WJEC specification.
