Physical Education
Overview
The OCR A-Level in Physical Education consists of a range of question and answer, examination / past paper questions, homework, end of unit tests / assessments. The course is very tough BUT if you work hard in lessons and outside of lessons then you will be fine!
Topics studied in the syllabus include:
- Applied anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology and bio mechanics.
- Skill acquisition and sports psychology.
- Sport and society and contemporary issues in physical activity and sport.
- Performance or coaching and evaluation and analysis of performance for improvement.
Why choose this course?
If you’re a strong practical performer who enjoys pushing yourself to a high level, this course could be the perfect fit. It’s designed for students who are confident with exams, comfortable revising independently, and have a solid academic foundation—including at least grade 5s in English, Science, and PE.
You’ll combine your passion for sport with academic study, exploring the science behind performance and the theory that underpins physical excellence. This course is ideal for highly motivated students who are ready to work hard, think critically, and take their understanding of sport to the next level.
Potential future pathways:
PE Teacher, Physiotherapist, Sports Coach, Leisure Manager
Sports Psychologist, Sports Analyst, Sports Reporter, Police Force, Armed Forces, Science-related degree, Business degrees.
What sports can I select for the Non-Exam assessment?
- Acrobatic Gymnastics
- Amateur Boxing
- Association Football (cannot be 5-a-side)
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Blind Cricket
- BMX (racing only – not trick)
- Boccia
- Camogie
- Canoeing
- Cricket
- Cross Country Running
- Cycling (track or road cycling only)
- Dance
- Diving (platform diving)
- Equestrian
- Figure Skating
- Futsal
- Gaelic Football
- Goal Ball
- Golf
- Gymnastics (floor routines and apparatus only)
- Handball
- Hockey (must be field hockey)
- Hurling
- Ice Hockey
- Inline Roller Hockey
- Kayaking
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Polybat
- Powerchair Football
- Rock Climbing (indoor or outdoor)
- Rowing
- Rugby League (cannot be tag rugby)
- Rugby Union (can be assessed as 7’s or 15 a-side – cannot be tag rugby)
- Sailing *
- Sculling
- Skiing (must be on snow)
- Snowboarding (must be on snow)
- Squash
- Swimming (not synchronised swimming, personal survival or lifesaving)
- Table Cricket
- Table tennis
- Tennis
- Trampolining
- Triathlon (sprint only)
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Wheelchair Rugby
- Windsurfing (Royal Yachting Association windsurfing classifications only)