PE
If you love sport, one of the great advantages of being a pupil at Durham School is that you can do sport almost every day of the week! However, the Physical Education Department is a separate entity from the Durham School Sports Programme that runs every afternoon (apart from Thursdays). By Physical Education lessons we refer to lessons that are actually part of the timetabled lessons (one hour) that operate throughout the day. The Sports Programme has a separate 90-minute time slot in the afternoons. Physical Education is an integral part of the timetable for every pupil in Years 7-11; in addition to this, pupils can choose Physical Education as an examination subject at GCSE, AS and A2 levels. All Physical Education is taught by one of our specialist PE staff.
Physical Education
All pupils in Years 7-11 receive regular compulsory sessions of PE as part of their timetabled lessons. Pupils in Years 7 & 8 receive 3 one-hour lessons over the two-week timetable. Essentially their time is split between activities in the Sports Hall (such as basketball, badminton, 5-a-side football, gymnastics, squash etc.) and the swimming pool where we concentrate on stroke technique and water-polo. Pupils in year 9 receive two lessons of PE over the two-week timetable. Pupils in Years 10 & 11 receive one lesson over the two-week timetable.
Examination Physical Education
GCSE
GCSE Physical Education is taught as a two-year course to years 10 & 11. The course is 50% practically based and very strongly favours the all-round sportsperson that Durham School traditionally produces. Candidates have to choose four activities in which they are assessed. Many pupils receive very high marks in the practical assessment as a result of our strong Sports Programme that directly complements the requirements of the course.
The academic component of the GCSE syllabus covers three main areas: factors that affect participation and performance, the relationship between health, fitness and practical activity and risk assessment in physical activity.
The Department has a cumulative percentage over the last 5 years of 47% A-A*, and 81% A*-B.
The syallabus that we follow is ; GCSE Physical Education (& Games) - 1970, 1971. Parents need to be aware that the teaching specification for GCSE will change for first teaching in September 2009. For further information visit the OCR website ; www.ocr.org.uk
As part of the revision programme students are bought "Revise for PE GCSE OCR", by Galligan, Singleton & White, in the spring term of year 11.
AS/A2 Physical Education
A highly successful course that is very popular amongst the sporting fraternity of the school. 80% academic and 20% practical, it is well suited to the talented sportsperson.
The AS component covers three academic areas: Anatomy & Physiology, Contemporary Issues and Acquisition of Skill. The A2 component covers an additional three areas: Exercise Physiology, History of Sport and Psychology of Sport. The practical component involves the pupils in choosing two sports in which they are assessed in their ability to perform the sport in both competitive match situations (A2) and "contrived competitive situations" (AS).
The Dept. has a 100% A-E pass rate since A level was introduced in 1998. The A-B average over the last 5 years is 57.5%, it is 28% for A grades.
The course followed is ; Physical Education (3875,7875). The board is OCR. Parents should be aware that all AS & A2 specifications are changing for first teaching in September 2008. For the latest information about changes visit ; www.ocr.org.uk
As part of the revision programme for pupils the students are bought the "Revise for Advanced PE for OCR AS & A2" by Bonney, Ireland, Thomas & Van Wely. Revision booklets are ordered by the Head of Department and charged to the school-bill in the spring term.
The Physical Education Department Staff
Paul Gerrard (Head of Physical Education, Director of Sixth Form Studies)
Paul has been at Durham School for eleven years. He came to the school originally as Director of Sport and Head of Physical Education, but as the academic side of the subject grew (and the Department expanded) his original job has been divided up. He was educated at Carnegie College of Physical Education, has represented Cheshire RFU at all levels and played for British Polytechnics at rugby league. In 2006 and 2001 he took the 1st XV to the National U18 Daily Mail Cup Final at Twickenham. He also had a season playing cricket in Australia and runs the annual school ski trip. Mr Gerrard now also holds the position of Director of Sixth Form Studies.
Contact : p.gerrard@durhamschool.co.uk
Ben Mason (Director of Sport)
Ben came to Durham School after four years at Emmanuel College in Gateshead. He has represented Yorkshire, East Midlands and Durham counties at rugby and also played for North of England Students whilst at De Montfort University. At present he co-ordinates the diverse and complicated Durham School activities programme and teaches the Psychology module of the PE A level syllabus.
Contact : b.mason@durhamschool.co.uk
Kim Dougall (Head of Girls' Games)
Kim has been at Durham School for 13 years. She came to the school from St. Olave's in York. Her degree is an MA QTS from Warwick. She is an international modem pentathlete and fencer as well as having been the Senior National British Team Manager and Coach for the GB pentathlete team. She is also an OCR examiner for GCSE and A2 Physical Education.
Garry James
An NQT who joined Durham School in September 2004. He studied at the University of Glamorgan, South Wales and completed his PGCE at Bangor University. He has played rugby for Llandovery RFC in Wales. Before his PGCE year he spent two years living and working in Australia.
Glenda Connor
Glenda was educated at Nevilles Cross College. She was previously a School Sports Co-ordinator for Wear & Teesdale valley. Before that she had 5 years in special education. She has four children all of whom attended the school, the two girls are presently still pupils. She has played county hockey, but is an all-round sportswomen who still plays cricket for Durham City CC.
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