Pupils explore a range of activities which include Dance, Gymnastics, Swimming, Health Related Fitness alongside the traditional games.
The core Physical Education curriculum is offered in the Foundation Year (Year 9) and covers a wide array of physical skills as well as theoretical content.
As one of the leading independent private schools offering an in-depth PE curriculum, pupils can explore a range of activities which may include dance, gymnastics, swimming, lifesaving, health related fitness, strength and conditioning as well as the more traditional activities.
The aims of the core curriculum are to develop competence in physical and technical skills; to understand safe and effective exercise; to understand the place of physical activity and sport within wellbeing and a healthy active lifestyle; and to understand and for pupils to be able to provide feedback on their own or a peer’s performance.
Academic Physical Education begins in the Remove (Year 10) when approximately half of the pupils opt to follow the OCR course leading to a GCSE in Physical Education.
In the Sixth Form, OCR Physical Education is offered as an A level in addition to the Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) choice within the International Baccalaureate. These courses are supported through educational visits such as attending a university human performance laboratory.
Our International Baccalaureate Physical Education programme (SEHS) gives pupils a global and scientific lens on sport and exercise, making it an ideal option for those seeking an IB PE independent school with a strong academic reputation.
These qualifications provide an excellent foundation for pupils intending to study a variety of courses at university such as Physiotherapy, Sport and Exercise Science, Sports Management as well as Health & Nutrition. Many pupils at Malvern have gone onto study at top universities such as the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University and the University of Exeter.
Physical Education is on offer to all pupils as an examined subject at GCSE. The OCR GCSE course offers pupils the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of factors that affect performance, and participation in their chosen sports and physical activity.
As a private school specialising in GCSE PE, Malvern College delivers a rich and structured programme designed to challenge and inspire. Our approach reflects the best of what GCSE Physical Education in an independent school can offer, specialist instruction, excellent facilities, and a strong co-curricular programme.
The course provides an excellent foundation for those considering studying Sports, Exercise, Health Science at IB, Physical Education at A level or BTEC Sport.
Malvern is recognised as a top-tier choice for families seeking a GCSE PE independent school that provides both academic strength and sporting opportunity.
The syllabus is broken down into three components:
Components 1 and 2 will be assessed in May/June of Year 11 and form 60% of the qualification. The assessment consists of multiple choice, short-answer, and extended writing questions.
Component 1: Physical factors affecting performance:
Written examination: 1 hour – 30% of the qualification
Component 2: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology
Written examination: 1 hour – 30% of the qualification
Component 3: Non-Exam Assessment
Non-examined assessment: internally marked and externally moderated: 40% of the qualification
Performance practical in three activities (equally weighted 20 marks each)
The assessment consists of students completing three physical activities from a set list.
One must be a team activity:
Acrobatic Gymnastics, Association Football, Badminton Doubles, Basketball, Camogie, Cricket, Blind Cricket, Gaelic Football, Handball, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Futsal, Goal Ball, Hurling, Ice Hockey, Inline Roller Hockey, Lacrosse, Netball, Powerchair Football, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Sailing, Sculling, Squash Doubles, Tennis Doubles, Table Tennis Doubles, Volleyball, Table Cricket, Water Polo, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby.
One must be an individual activity:
Amateur Boxing, Athletics, Badminton Singles, Boccia, Canoeing, Cross Country Running, Cycling (Track/ BMX/Road), Dance, Equestrian, Platform Diving, Golf,
Gymnastics, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Sculling, Skiing, Snowboarding, Squash Singles, Swimming, Table Tennis Singles, Tennis Singles, Trampolining, Windsurfing.
The final activity must be one from either the individual or team activity list. Some activities may not be taken in combination together for example singles tennis and doubles tennis.
Not all the above activities can be assessed at Malvern College and therefore pupils may be required to gather video evidence outside of school, for example, for skiing or equestrian events.
Analysing and Evaluating Performance (AEP)
In addition to three practical performances, learners are required to demonstrate their ability to:
If you’re passionate about sport and want to turn that passion into a career, this course is for you. At Malvern, we offer a dynamic and practical learning experience that goes beyond the classroom. You’ll develop real-world coaching skills, gain insight into the sport and leisure industry, and explore how sport can be used to improve lives and communities.
Our course is designed to prepare you for a wide range of exciting careers in sport, from coaching and fitness training to sport development and event management. You’ll benefit from expert teaching, access to excellent facilities, and opportunities to work with real participants in real coaching environments.
Whether you’re aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or direct employment, this course gives you the skills, confidence, and experience to take the next step.
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the sport and active leisure industry, with a particular focus on coaching and development. It is designed to equip learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to plan, deliver and evaluate effective coaching sessions. Alongside this, students will explore the broader role of sport in promoting health, wellbeing and social inclusion. The course also encourages the development of essential transferable skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork and self-management—skills that are highly valued in both higher education and the workplace. Ultimately, the course prepares students for a variety of progression routes, whether that be university, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the sports industry.
The course is structured around a series of engaging and career-focused units that blend theory with hands-on experience. Over two years, you will explore the following areas:
Unit A: Careers in Sport and Active Leisure
You’ll begin by exploring the structure of the sport and leisure industry, identifying key roles and career pathways. This unit helps you understand what employers are looking for and how to develop your own career plan.
Unit B: Health, Wellbeing and Sport
This unit examines the relationship between physical activity and overall wellbeing. You’ll learn how sport can be used to support physical and mental health across different age groups and communities, and how to promote healthy lifestyles through coaching and development programmes.
Unit C1: Developing Coaching Skills
Here, you’ll learn how to plan, deliver and review coaching sessions. You’ll explore different coaching styles, understand how to adapt sessions for different participants, and begin to build your own coaching philosophy.
Unit D1: Applied Coaching Skills
This unit takes your coaching to the next level. You’ll work with real participants—such as school groups or community clubs—applying your skills in live environments. You’ll receive feedback, reflect on your practice, and refine your approach to become a more confident and effective coach.
Unit 1: Sport Development
You’ll investigate how sport can be used as a tool for social change. This includes exploring initiatives that increase participation, reduce inequality, and engage underrepresented groups. You’ll also learn how to design and evaluate sport development programmes.
Unit 2: Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
This entrepreneurial unit introduces you to the business side of sport. You’ll learn how to set up and manage your own coaching or fitness business, covering topics such as marketing, finance, legal responsibilities, and customer service.
Optional Unit: Unit 14: Organisation of a Sporting Event
In this optional unit, you’ll take on the challenge of planning, promoting, and delivering a live sporting event. Working as part of a team, you’ll gain valuable experience in event management, logistics, budgeting, and communication. This unit is ideal for students interested in leadership roles or careers in sport event coordination and community engagement.
All units on this course are internally assessed, meaning there are no final written exams. Instead, you’ll be assessed through a variety of practical and coursework-based methods that reflect real-world coaching and sport development scenarios.
Assessment methods include:
This approach allows you to build a portfolio of evidence that showcases your skills, knowledge and readiness for the next stage of your career or education.
This qualification opens the door to a wide range of exciting opportunities, including:
A Level Physical Education (OCR) explores the science and theory behind sport and physical activity, focusing on the performer and their performance. Our A Level Physical Education course, offered at Malvern College as a leading independent school, develops a deep understanding of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology in sport.
It provides an excellent foundation for university study in Sport and Exercise Science, Physiotherapy, Sports Psychology, or careers in elite sport, coaching, and health industries.
The course is popular among pupils preparing for competitive sport-related degrees and reflects our private school’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence.
Pupils study both theoretical and practical elements of sport through four key components:
OCR A level Physical Education: H555