In 2008 Usain Bolt ran the 100m faster than any human in history. How did he do it? Genetics, performance enhancing drugs, optimum arousal or was it all down to biomechanics?

Why has it taken Liverpool 30 years to win the Premier league title? A lack of motivation, poor target setting, problems with the group dynamics or not having the right data analyst?

Studying A level Sport will help you to answer these questions.  During the course you will learn about the wide range of factors that influence performance in sport.  Furthermore sport, fitness and performance is one of the fastest growing and largest employment sectors.  A level PE is the first step towards being a part of it.

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the physiological and mechanical demands of performance in sport, the psychological factors influencing behaviour in sport and the historical and cultural aspects of participation in sport.

This will contribute to student’s ability to analyse and evaluate performance and execute skills and tactics in one sport as either a performer or coach.

Loughborough University Sport Science Trip: Students will have the opportunity to have a tour of Loughborough University. They will also gain an insight into university life and what it means be an elite sports student. Pupils will experience the world class sporting facilities and unrivalled sporting opportunities on offer at Loughborough.

Students will be encouraged to take part in coaching and officiating courses to gain extra qualifications. They will also be given the opportunity to assist in the coaching of sports teams and delivery of inter-house competitions at Catmose College. This will gain competencies attractive to employers and university admissions linked to health, sport, industry and education.

Students wishing to pursue Sports Science to a higher level should combine this course with at least one science. This is also beneficial for a career in teaching, students also often choose Geography, Sociology or English. For those interested in sport or leisure industry, Psychology or Economics complement the Physical Education A level. A level Physical Education leads onto many sports-related degree courses and is also valuable for medical-related courses such as Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy. Its wide variety of skills will stand students in good stead for most university courses.

The sport industry is huge and offers a wide variety of career opportunities in areas such as sport science, sports studies, sports coaching and development, sports therapy, sports psychology, teaching, biomechanics, leisure management, sports technology or the Armed Forces.

Paper 1: Factors affecting participation in physical activity and sport
Applied anatomy and physiology, Skill acquisition, Sport and Society (2 hours) (35% of A level).

Paper 2: Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport
Exercise physiology and biomechanics, Sport Psychology, Sport, society and technology in sport (2 hours) (35% of A level)

Non exam assessment: Practical performance in the full competitive context of a sport in the role of either performer or coach in one activity. Students must also complete an extensive written analysis and evaluation of a performance in their chosen sport (30% of A level)

For admission to A level Physical Education, our usual minimum requirements are:

• Students will need to have achieved a grade 6 or above in Physical Education.