Curriculum

Physical Education is the part of the curriculum that can contribute most to the physical experiences and development of the pupil. It is unique because firstly, it provides opportunities for the development and refinement of motor skills, co-ordination, control, mobility and strength which need to be applied in many areas of curriculum and throughout everyday life. Secondly, it provides for an increasing awareness of the capabilities of the body and an understanding of the quality and purpose of movement and develops attitudes towards it. Lastly, Physical Education should provide a practical application of how the body works and the importance of a healthy and active life.

Physical Education shares the responsibility with other curriculum areas, to provide a style of teaching which develops lively and inquiring minds, gives satisfaction, pride, and enjoyment in doing tasks well, offer challenge appropriate to age and aptitude, and encourages imagination and power of reasoning and judgement. It also makes a significant contribution to the development of social, personal, emotional and moral skills necessary for an individual to be able to operate independently, or interact and work with others in a group.

To teach the acquisition of skills, development of spatial awareness and promotion of co-operation with others through a variety of activities. We aim to promote physical competence so that pupils are able to move efficiently, effectively and safely in order to continue participation in sport after leaving school.

Our core objectives are to:

• foster, individual physical development in the areas of mobility, strength, flexibility, and stamina and to promote health related fitness with a view to maintaining an active lifestyle
• develop a range of psycho-motor skills
• promote an awareness of safety in physical activities
• stimulate interest, enjoyment and enthusiasm in lessons that should carry through into the rest of their set life, encouraging involvement in events and activities outside school
• play an important part in the development of character and personality and to help build self-confidence when working individually or in groups
• develop critical thinking skills and a situation for creative thinking
• encourage an appreciation of the concept of fair play and sportsmanship
• contribute to the physical development of each pupil 
• motivate each pupil to maintain enjoyment and derive satisfaction and achievement through physical education
• promote physical fitness and an appreciation, understanding and a positive attitude and interest in maintaining physical fitness
• develop each pupils vocabulary of movement so enabling their understanding and mastery of a broad base of physical skills and activities
• encourage each pupil to take pride in the confident, controlled and skilful use of the body in a wide range of challenging physical activities
• allow ample opportunity for each pupil to be creative and inventive within the aesthetic aspects of the subject
• gain a pupil’s understanding and appreciation of good skilful in their selves and others
• help pupils to co-operate with each other, to manage the spirit of competition, and be sensitive to others and their safety
• equip individuals with the basis and means of making active, creative, and purposeful use of their leisure time.

At Moorside High School we have extensive playing fields and areas that are adaptable for a variety of activities.  In addition to this we have two multi-activity areas that include:

• outdoor basketball courts
• tennis courts
• netball courts
• hockey pitches
• five-a-side football pitches

For indoor activities we have a gym and the use of the school hall.

Good community links are being established through a variety of sports including cricket, rugby and football. Further links are hoping to be developed to broaden the sporting experiences for as many of our students as possible.

GCSE Physical Education is a popular course and has a strong uptake of students. Regular use of interactive whiteboards ensures lessons are interesting and challenging for our students. To maintain progress and development continued efforts are made to improve and update resources each year. Outcomes in GCSE Physical Education are above the national average each year.

We also offer a vocational Physical Education qualification (Coursework based) which has a strong uptake of students at Key Stage 4, and again outcomes for students are outstanding.

A full extra-curricular time table is updated half-termly and is extremely well attended by students. We offer lunch time and after school clubs on most days for different sports. As a school we enter every district sporting competition available to us and are successful in these.

Examples of clubs and fixtures available in the school year:

• Football
• Athletics
• Cricket
• Netball
• Cross-country
• Rounders
• Rugby
• Basketball
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Handball