Curriculum Aims- Sport& Healthy Lifestlyes
By the end of Key Stage 3:
At Key Stage 4:
Pupils are encouraged to develop leadership, teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship through structured participation and performance opportunities.
Curriculum Aims H&Sc
KS4
Outcomes
Beyond the exam
These qualities prepare pupils not only for further study, but for positive participation in society.
By the end of KS4, pupils will:
Be well-prepared for progression to Level 3 courses, apprenticeships or other relevant pathways.
Year 7
Introduction and skill-development in our target sports through high-quality lessons, extra-curricular provision and competition at all levels.
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Year 8
Development of our target sports with an increased focus on game-play through high-quality lessons, extra-curricular provision and competition at all levels.
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Year 9
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Year 10 &11 Core PE
In Year 10 & 11 students follow the Sports Education Model. Instead of short units where students learn individual skills, the Sports Education Model organises learning into a ‘sport season’, replicating the structure of community and competitive sport. Students become members of a team for the duration of the season, taking on a range of responsibilities beyond simply being performers.The model encourages every student to contribute to the success of their team through participation, leadership and organisation, ensuring that all learners have meaningful roles regardless of sporting ability.
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Year 10 – Edexcel GCSE PE
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Year 11 – Edexcel GCSE PE
The Year 11 GCSE Physical Education curriculum builds directly on the foundations established in Year 10, moving pupils towards mastery and confident application of their knowledge and skills across both theoretical and practical components of the Edexcel GCSE specification.
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
1. Examination Readiness and Assessment Literacy – Interpret examination papers efficiently and confidently, Identify command words and accurately interpret what each question requires, Apply effective time management strategies to maximise marks across the examination, Structure responses according to the mark allocation, Refine examination techniques through regular practice using past examination papers and examiner reports, Review common misconceptions and learn strategies to avoid frequent examination errors.
2. Higher-Order Thinking and Extended Response Skills – Analyse complex sporting scenarios, Construct balanced arguments, Justify decisions using evidence from theory and practice.
3. Academic Literacy and Subject-Specific Communication – Using Tier 2 academic vocabulary accurately (e.g. analyse, evaluate, justify, interpret), Applying Tier 3 subject-specific terminology fluently (e.g. proprioception, antagonistic pair, aerobic endurance, kinaesthetic awareness), Constructing coherent, well-organised written responses, Communicating scientific and sporting concepts clearly and precisely
4. Independent Revision and Retrieval Skills – Select appropriate revision strategies for different topics, Produce effective revision resources including flashcards, mind maps, Cornell notes and knowledge organisers, Self-assess understanding and identify knowledge gaps, Plan and organise revision schedules leading up to assessments, Use examination feedback to inform future revision priorities.
5. Planning and Evaluation Skills (PEP) – Students develop the ability to improve their own performance and fitness through structured planning.
6. Tactical skills – Make effective decisions, Solve tactical problems, Adapt to changing situations, Read the game, Anticipate opponents, Select appropriate skills
| Example Year 7 curriculum (Order of activities will vary for each class, Sports are delivered in 10-week blocks providing reasoning for overlap between ½ terms.) | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Table Tennis and Netball (Cross-Country and Level 1 Defibrillator Training) | Table Tennis/ Volleyball and Netball / Football Orienteering | Volleyball and Football | Trampolining and Dance (Orienteering) | Trampolining / Basketball and Dance / Athletics | Basketball and Athletics |
| Example Year 8 curriculum (Order of activities will vary for each class, Sports are delivered in 10-week blocks providing reasoning for overlap between ½ terms.) | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Table Tennis and Netball Cross-Country | Table Tennis / Volleyball and Netball / Football Orienteering | Volleyball and Football | Trampolining and Dance Orienteering | Trampolining / Basketball and Dance/Athletics | Basketball and Athletics |
| Year 9 curriculum – (Sports are delivered in 10-week blocks providing reasoning for overlap between ½ terms.) | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Football and Volleyball Cross-Country | Football / Basketball and Volleyball / Fitness Orienteering | Basketball and Fitness | Table Tennis and Badminton Orienteering | Table Tennis / Handball and Athletics | Handball / Striking and Fielding and Athletics |
Y10 &11 PE
| Example Year 10 curriculum (Order of activities will vary for each class, Sports are delivered in 7-week blocks providing reasoning for overlap between ½ terms.) | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Badminton Table Tennis Volleyball Fitness GCSE PE Football Netball | Fitness Table Tennis Volleyball Badminton GCSE PE Football Netball | Netball Basketball Handball Football GCSE PE Table Tennis Volleyball | Netball Handball Basketball Football GCSE PE Table Tennis Volleyball | Athletics Striking and Fielding GCSE PE Athletics Striking & Fielding | Athletics Striking and Fielding GCSE PE Athletics Striking & Fielding |
| Example Year 11 curriculum (Order of activities will vary for each class, Sports are delivered in 7-week blocks providing reasoning for overlap between ½ terms.) | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Badminton Table Tennis Volleyball Fitness GCSE PE Football Netball | Fitness Table Tennis Volleyball Badminton GCSE PE Volleyball Table Tennis | Netball Basketball Handball Football GCSE PE Moderation preparation | Netball Handball Basketball Football | ||
Edexcel GCSE PE
| Year 10 curriculum | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Health benefits of exercise Lifestyle Choices. Diet and Dietary Manipulation. Skeletal System Volleyball | Body Systems: Musculo-skeletal & Cardio-respiratory Volleyball Football Netball | Long term adaptations for body systems. Planes of movement & axis of rotation Lever systems Goal Setting Skill classification Practice Structure Football Netball Table Tennis | Health, Fitness & Exercise. Components of Fitness Fitness testing Table Tennis | SMART Targets Principles of Training Injuries and injury prevention PEP – Data collection Athletics | PEDs Sporting Behaviours Commercialisation of Sport Participation Rates. PEP (Coursework) Athletics |
| Year 11 curriculum | ||||||
| ½ term 1 | ½ term 2 | ½ term 3 | ½ term 4 | ½ term 5 | ½ term 6 | |
| Topic | Body Systems: Musculo-skeletal & Cardio-respiratory Short & long term effects of training PEP (Coursework) Football Netball | Health & Lifestyle Choices. Lever-systems Planes & Axis Diet and Dietary Manipulation PEP (Coursework) Football Netball Table Tennis Volleyball | Physical Training Components of Fitness Fitness Tests Principles of Training Table Tennis Volleyball | Classification of skills Practice structure. Types of Guidance and Feedback Methods of Training. Injury PEDs. Other individual sport assessments (Athletics, Boxing, Dance, Boccia) | Participation Rates. Sporting Behaviours. Commercialisation. Exam Preparation (paper 1 revision) | GCSE Exams |
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Students will develop KNOWLEDGE of:
Students will develop their SKILLS in:
Curriculum Overview
Year 10
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | |
| What will students learn | Component 1: Learning Aim A (Understand human growth and development across life stages and the factors that affect it) Understand the changing impact of factors (listed below) across different life stages and the impact on development | Component 1: Learning aim B (Investigate how individuals deal with life events) Component 1: Learning aim B Coping with change caused by life events | Component 2: Learning Aim A (The different types of Health and Social Care Services and barriers accessing them) |
| Topics covered | The process of growth and development across the following life stages: Infancy, Early Childhood, Adolescence, Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, Later Adulthood Factors explored Physical factors: Illness, injury and medical conditionsLifestyle choices (exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol and substance abuse)Social & cultural factors: Social factors – supportive and unsupportive relationships with others – friends, family, peers and colleagues, social inclusion and exclusion, bullying and discriminationEnvironmental factors: housing needs, conditions, location, home environment (abuse & parental conflict), exposure to pollution – air, noise and light. Cultural factors: Religion, gender roles and expectations, gender identity, sexual orientation, community participation and race. Economic factors: income, savings, inheritance and employment situation | Physical events, to include: accident/injury, ill health.Relationship changes, to include: entering into relationships, marriage, divorce, parenthood, bereavementLife circumstances, to include: moving house, school or job, exclusion from education, redundancy, imprisonment, retirement and changes to standards of livingThe importance of character traits (resilience, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, disposition) – that influence an individuals ability to cope with life eventsThe types of support essential in enabling individuals to cope with life events | A1:Learners will explore a range of healthcare conditions and how they can be managed by the individual and the different healthcare services that are available. Health conditions: o arthritis, cardiovascular conditions – coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes (type 2), dementia, obesity, respiratory conditions – asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) additional needs – sensory impairments, physical impairments, learning disability. ● Health services available: primary care – GP surgeries, dental care, out-of-hours services, telephone services, accident and emergency departments o secondary care – specialist medical care to include rheumatology, respiratory medicine, cardiology, endocrinology o tertiary care – specialist medical care to include oncology, transplant services o allied health professions – physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, dietetics multidisciplinary team working – how services work together, including referrals between services. A2 Social care services Learners will explore a range of social care needs and how these can be met by the social care services that are available. services for children and young people, e.g. foster care, residential care, youth workServices for adults or children with specific needs residential care, respite care, domiciliary care Services for older adults, e.g. residential care, domiciliary care A3 Barriers to accessing services Learners will explore barriers that can make it difficult to use these services and suggest how these barriers can be overcome. Physical barrierGeographical barrierSensory barrierIntellectual barrierSocial and cultural barrierFinancial barrier |
| Assessments | Pearson Set Assessment Component 1: Task 1&2 | Pearson Set Assessment: Component 1: 3a & 3b | Person Set Assessment Component 1 PSA deadline – 15th May Component 2: Task 1 |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | |
| What students will learn | Component 2: Learning outcome B Understand the skills, attributes and values required to give care | Component 3: Health and Wellbeing (External exam) | Component 3 – |
| Topics covered | B1 Skills and attributes in health and social care Skills: problem solving observation dealing with difficult situations organisation. Attributes: empathy patience trustworthiness honesty. B2 Values in health and social care The 6 Cs: Care compassion competence courage commitment B3 The obstacles individuals requiring care may face Learners will explore the personal obstacles that individuals requiring and receiving care may face Potential obstacles and their impact on the individual:emotional/psychological time constraints availability of resourcesunachievable targetslack of supportother factors specific to individual – ability/disability, health conditions, addiction. B4 The benefits to individuals of the skills, attributes and values in health and social care practice Learners will explore how skills, attributes and values benefit individuals when receiving care. During lesson 7, students will also interleave content and study the physiological indicators of health in preparation for the external exam Learners will explore how physiological indicators are used to measure health. ● Interpretation of physiological data according to published guidelines for the following below and also the significance of abnormal readings on current and future physical health Resting heart rateRecovery rateBody Mass Index (BMI)Blood pressure | A Factors that affect health and wellbeing A1 Factors affecting health and wellbeing Physical factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeingLifestyle factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeing Social factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeing Cultural factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeing Economic factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeing Environmental factors that can have positive or negative effects on health and wellbeing B Interpreting health indicators B1 Physiological indicators ● Interpretation of physiological data according to published guidelines for the following below and also the significance of abnormal readings on current and future physical health Resting heart rateRecovery rateBody Mass Index (BMI)Blood pressure B2 Lifestyle indicators Learners will explore how lifestyle choices determine physical health. ● Interpretation of lifestyle data according to published guidelines: nutrition – the Eatwell Guidephysical activity – UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelinessmoking – UK Chief Medical Officers’ Smoking Guidelines alcohol – UK Chief Medical Officers’ Alcohol Guidelinessubstance misuse C Person-centred approach to improving health and wellbeing The ways in which a person-centred approach takes into account an individual’s: needs – to reduce health riskswishes – their preferences and choices circumstances – to include age, ability, location, living conditions, support, physical and emotional health. The importance of a person-centred approach for individualsThe benefits of a person-centred approach for health and social care workers and services C2 Recommendations and actions to improve health and wellbeing Support available when following recommendations to improve health and wellbeing C3 Barriers and obstacles to following recommendations | Final revision recapping ALL topics with remaining students |
| Assessment | Component 2: Task 2, 3a,3b Pearson deadline: 15th December | PPE 2 | Component 3 external exam (5th May) |
Key Stage 3 P.E.
RSE and Health Education
The Key Stage 3 PE curriculum provides a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate programme that directly fulfils the Health Education Curriculum requirements across mental wellbeing, physical health, healthy lifestyles, personal safety and first aid. PE lessons emphasise enjoyment, teamwork and resilience, enabling pupils to recognise how movement, outdoor activity and social connection contribute to happiness and positive mental wellbeing.
The BeeWell Survey in Years 7 and 8 strengthens pupils’ emotional literacy and self‑reflection, supporting Health Education aims that pupils should understand what makes them feel happy or unhappy and recognise loneliness or low mood as normal experiences. This pastoral integration ensures PE contributes not only to physical development but also to mental wellbeing monitoring and early identification of support needs.
In the Sports and Healthy Lifestyles pastoral resources, KS3 pupils also receive teaching on emotional health, particularly how participation in physical activity improves mood, reduces anxiety and builds resilience. This mirrors Health Education guidance that pupils should learn coping strategies and understand how overcoming barriers to participation can reduce anxiety over time.
Personal safety and first aid are strongly embedded in Year 7 through CPR training facilitated by Stephanie Morris, where pupils learn life‑saving CPR. This meets Health Education criteria on basic first aid and emergency response, while also supporting expectations around managing risk, recognising unsafe situations and knowing how to seek help. These skills are reinforced through practical PE contexts where pupils learn to warm up safely, prevent injury and respond appropriately when accidents occur.
In Year 9, the Fitness Suite Module – Leading a Personal Exercise Programme (PEP) introduces pupils to structured exercise planning, safe training principles and lifestyle analysis. This aligns with Health Education content on understanding healthy lifestyles, evaluating wellbeing activities and recognising how physical activity contributes to an improvement in their Fitness, thus health also.
By integrating pastoral resources, wellbeing monitoring, structured physical activity, first aid training and lifestyle education, the Key Stage 3 PE curriculum fully meets the Health Education Curriculum criteria for Years 7, 8 and 9, providing a holistic foundation for pupils’ physical, mental and emotional development.
RSE and Health Education
Edexcel GCSE PE
The Edexcel GCSE PE specification strongly meets the Health Education curriculum by providing pupils with a deep, applied understanding of physical health, emotional wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, personal safety and first aid, all embedded within both theory and practical learning. Through repeated teaching of lifestyle choices, pupils learn how activity levels, diet, sleep, work/rest balance and recreational drug use influence physical and mental health, directly aligning with Health Education content on the importance of physical activity, sleep quality, and the risks associated with alcohol, nicotine and other substances. The specification’s focus on Lifestyle choices ensures pupils understand how physical activity supports emotional wellbeing, mirroring the Health Education requirement that pupils recognise the benefits of exercise, time outdoors and community participation for happiness and mental health. This is reinforced through the Fitness Suite Module and Personal Exercise Programme (PEP), where pupils evaluate their own wellbeing, analyse activity levels and learn to critically assess which behaviours contribute positively to their health—reflecting the Health Education expectation that pupils can “critically evaluate which activities will contribute to their overall wellbeing”.
The GCSE PE content on sedentary behaviour and its consequences directly supports Health Education teaching on the risks of inactivity, including cardiovascular ill‑health, unhealthy weight gain and reduced emotional resilience. Pupils learn how inactivity affects long‑term health, linking to Health Education strands on maintaining a healthy weight, preventing disease and understanding how lifestyle choices shape physical and mental wellbeing. The specification’s emphasis on energy balance, diet, nutrition and hydration further strengthens pupils’ understanding of healthy eating, mirroring Health Education content on the links between poor diet and risks such as tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. By teaching pupils how energy intake and expenditure affect weight and performance, GCSE PE meets the requirement that pupils understand how to maintain healthy eating habits and avoid unhealthy weight gain.
Emotional wellbeing is explicitly addressed through Emotional health, where pupils learn how participation in physical activity improves mood, reduces stress and supports positive mental health. This aligns directly with Health Education content stating that physical activity promotes wellbeing and combats stress, and that managing normal feelings such as worry or sadness can be supported through healthy routines. Practical PE delivery across Years 10 and 11 reinforces this by giving pupils regular opportunities to experience the emotional benefits of exercise, teamwork, achievement and social connection—mirroring Health Education teaching that happiness is linked to being connected to others and that participation in enjoyable activities can reduce anxiety over time.
Furthermore, the GCSE PE curriculum indirectly supports Health Education strands on mental health and substance use by teaching pupils how lifestyle choices, including alcohol and nicotine use, affect performance, recovery, sleep quality and long‑term health. This reinforces Health Education content on the bi‑directional relationship between substance use and mental health, the harms of smoking, and the risks associated with alcohol consumption. The pastoral resources used across all year groups complement this by promoting healthy lifestyles, emotional regulation and positive wellbeing habits.
Overall, the Edexcel GCSE PE specification provides a robust, practical and theoretically grounded framework that meets the Health Education curriculum criteria. It equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and habits needed to maintain physical and emotional wellbeing, make informed lifestyle choices, understand the consequences of inactivity and substance use, manage personal safety, and apply first aid confidently. Through its integration of physical activity, health science, emotional wellbeing and safety education, GCSE PE delivers a comprehensive contribution to statutory Health Education.
RSE and Health Education
Health and Social Care
The Health and Social Care curriculum makes a strong contribution to the statutory Health Education requirements by developing students’ understanding of human growth, development, health, wellbeing and healthcare provision across the lifespan. Through the study of human growth and development, students explore physical, intellectual, emotional and social changes from infancy through to older adulthood, helping them understand how development influences health and wellbeing at different life stages. This includes consideration of the factors that can positively and negatively affect development, such as genetics, environment, relationships and life experiences.
Students also develop an understanding of how lifestyle choices influence health and wellbeing. Through the exploration of lifestyle indicators, they examine the impact of diet, exercise, physical activity, substance use and other health-related behaviours on physical and mental health. This supports their understanding of healthy lifestyles, disease prevention and the importance of making informed choices that promote long-term wellbeing. The curriculum highlights the links between lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes, including conditions associated with poor diet, inactivity, smoking and alcohol use.
By studying human growth and development, learners explore the changing nature of relationships and families over time, including the impact of birth, ageing, illness, loss and other life transitions. This helps students recognise the importance of stable, supportive relationships and understand how family structures and personal circumstances can change throughout an individual’s life. The curriculum also develops awareness of the role of parents, carers and support networks in promoting healthy development, wellbeing and resilience.
Through Learning Aim B, students investigate how individuals deal with life events such as family changes, relationship breakdown, bereavement, illness, accident, disability and other significant experiences. This encourages learners to develop empathy and understanding of the emotional impact that life events can have on individuals and families. Students explore the support available to help people cope with change, adversity and loss, promoting awareness of positive relationships, support networks and help-seeking behaviours.
The curriculum further develops students’ knowledge of health promotion, prevention and healthcare services. Learners investigate a range of healthcare conditions and how they can be managed, as well as the different healthcare and social care services available to support individuals. This is integrated with statutory content on navigating the healthcare system, understanding the roles of GPs, A&E and pharmacies. They explore barriers that may prevent people from accessing services and consider how healthcare professionals work together to meet individual needs. This enables students to develop a broad understanding of the healthcare system and the importance of accessing appropriate support to maintain physical and mental health. In Year 11, pupils deepen their understanding through Component 3, exploring lifestyle indicators and how choices around diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking, alcohol and drugs affect physical health. This is strengthened by health education content on healthy eating, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer risk, alcohol safety, drug harms including synthetic drugs, the co‑occurrence of substance use and mental health problems, and the serious harms associated with smoking.
Overall, the Health and Social Care curriculum provides students with valuable knowledge and understanding of health, development and wellbeing across the lifespan. It supports the development of health literacy, encourages informed decision-making and helps students understand the role of individuals, communities and healthcare services in promoting and maintaining good health.