All pupils follow a progressive curriculum, which concentrates on building skills and techniques in a range of sports and encourages pupils to participate in sport for life long enjoyment.
Our This Girl Can curriculum aims to develop physically literate young women by building the confidence, competence, knowledge and motivation needed to enjoy and engage in physical activity throughout life. Through a broad and balanced curriculum, we create an environment where girls feel confident, comfortable and motivated to be active, regardless of their perceived ability, appearance, confidence or previous experience. We believe that being active is for everybody, and our curriculum encourages all students to develop positive attitudes towards movement, wellbeing and lifelong participation in physical activity.
Our lessons are built around the principles of ASK:
- Attitude – developing confidence, resilience, teamwork and a willingness to participate.
- Skill – developing competence and physical literacy across a range of activities.
- Knowledge – understanding how and why physical activity benefits health, fitness and wellbeing.
In year 7, students study and develop team building and communication skills, OAA, dance, core skills in outwitting an opponent, gymnastics, netball and athletics, as well as knowledge of warming up, including identification of muscles and the stages of the warm-up.
In year 8, students study fitness, basketball, trampolining, pickleball, rounders and athletics as well as developing knowledge of the components of fitness across the year.
In year 9, students study dance, trampolining, badminton, football, rounders, athletics as well as having option lessons where students take ownership of their journey with sport and exercise. They also develop key knowledge in the benefits of exercise, including the benefits to mental health.
All students learn first aid and water safety as part of the PE curriculum and year 7 non-swimmers are offered weekly swimming lessons at the local leisure centre.
At key stage 4 students are encouraged to have more autonomy over their relationship with sport and exercise through option lessons as well as structured lessons in new team games like handball and uni-hoc and also an individual block of activity which includes archery and gymnastics. Students also learn about inclusive activities like boccia and goal ball and take part in the summer activities of rounders and athletics.
Our curriculum is supported by our extensive PE clubs programme, as well as the competitive opportunities pupils have to represent the school in football, netball, athletics and dance. Our curriculum ethos also culminates in our ‘This Girl Can Sports Day’ as well as our Race For Life events which are a big part of school life.
BTEC Technical Award in Sport
The BTEC Tech Award in Sport provides students with the opportunity to develop their practical sporting ability alongside their knowledge and understanding of sport, physical activity and fitness. Through a combination of internally assessed coursework and an externally assessed examination, students explore participation in sport, analyse and improve performance, and develop an understanding of how fitness can enhance sporting achievement. The qualification develops transferable skills such as communication, leadership, organisation, evaluation and independent learning, preparing students for further study and careers within the sport and physical activity sector.
| Year | Component | Key Areas of Study |
| Year 10 | Component 1: Preparing Participants to Take Part in Sport and Physical Activity | Types of participation, barriers to participation, promoting participation, participant needs, sports technology and equipment, preparing participants for activity, leadership and planning physical activity. |
| Introduction to Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity | Components of fitness, fitness testing and the links between fitness and sporting performance. | |
| Year 11 | Component 2: Taking Part and Improving Other Participants’ Sporting Performance | Practical performance, application of skills, tactics and strategies, performance analysis, reflection and planning for improvement. |
| Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity | Components of fitness, fitness testing, principles of training, methods of training, fitness programme design, interpreting data and examination preparation. |
BTEC Technical Award in Performing Arts (Dance)
Pupils in KS4 also have the option to study a BTEC Technical Award in Performing Arts (Dance), a national qualification governed by Edexcel (Pearson). This is an equivalent to GCSE at Level 2 and focuses on the key aspects of dance. Pupils study three components:
Component 1, Exploring the Performing Arts, pupils explore performance styles, creative intentions and purpose, investigate how practitioners create and influence what’s performed and discover performance roles, skills, techniques and processes.
Component 2, Developing Skills and Techniques, pupils take part in workshops, classes and rehearsals, gain physical, interpretative and rehearsal skills and reflect on their progress, their performance and how they could improve.
Component 3, Performing to a Brief, pupils use the brief and previous learnings to come up with ideas, build on their skills in classes, workshops and rehearsals and review the process using an ideas and skills log. They will also perform a piece to their chosen audience and reflect on their performance in an evaluation report.
