Senior Phase (S4-6) Course Information 2017/18 Oban High School Vision and Values

Physical Education

In the senior school there are 3 routes for Physical Education. There is certificated PE in the form of National qualifications and Higher and there is our popular Sports Coaching course. The new National 4/5 qualifications are designed to provide students an opportunity to gain experiences in studying sport and the factors that impact on performance, while helping them to improve their personal performance.

Sports Coaching

Students taking this course will gain sports coaching certificates from national Governing Bodies over the course of the year. At the same time, they will develop leadership skills through working with primary aged and then younger secondary students in a sporting context. Students will organise a series of events including clan clashes, primary festivals and secondary tournaments. They will also perform in the school dance show and help to run a number of charity events.

National 3

The National 3 course is wholly internally assessed and focuses on 2 units of study; Practical Performance and Factors impacting on Performance. In this Course, and its component Units, there will be an emphasis on skills development and the application of those skills. Assessment approaches will be proportionate, fit for purpose and will promote best practice, enabling learners to achieve the highest standards they can.

National 5

Aims to enhance the performance of students and encourage them to develop skills in monitoring and evaluating. They will study performance and factors impacting on performance. The added value unit requires students to complete a unit portfolio. The main aims of the Course are to enable the learner to:

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  develop the ability to safely perform a comprehensive range of movement and performance skills
  
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  understand factors that impact on personal performance in physical activities
  
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  build capacity to perform effectively
  
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  develop approaches to enhance personal performance
  
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  monitor, record and evaluate performance development
  

The National 5 course is internally assessed with no exam. However students must submit a portfolio to be assessed by the SQA. Students must achieve the National standard in at least 2 activities and be assessed on a one off performance.

Higher

The Course is suitable for learners who have an interest in and enthusiasm for developing movement and performance skills. It will broaden their learning experience and contribute to their own health and wellbeing. The Course is also suitable for learners progressing from the National 5 Physical Education Course, because it will give them the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to pursue further study or a career in Physical Education.

Learners will develop the ability to use strategies to make appropriate decisions for effective performance. They will also analyse a performance, understand what is required to develop it and then apply this knowledge to their own performance.

The main aims of the Course are to enable the learner to:

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  develop a broad and comprehensive range of complex movement and performance skills, and demonstrate them safely and effectively across a range of challenging contexts
  
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  select and apply skills and make informed decisions to effectively perform in physical activities
  
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  analyse factors that impact on performance
  
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  understand how skills, techniques and strategies combine to produce an effective performance
  
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  analyse and evaluate performance to enhance personal effectiveness.
  

The Higher exam lasts for 1.5 hours and is a mix of essay style answers and applying knowledge to scenarios. 60% of the course is based on the student’s practical performance which also has a written element. Students must be at a higher national standard for a minimum of 2 practical activities.