Physical Education

Ethos & Values

• To educate students in all areas of the Physical Education curriculum.
• To improve communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills through working with others.
• Encourage students to reach their potential by offering challenging targets and guidance in every lesson.
• Enhance self-esteem by encouraging students to take additional responsibility in lesson for coaching and officiating their peers.
• Use our excellent resources to stimulate student development by offering a range of activities.

The Physical Education Curriculum Area strives to enhance the development of students at Waltham Toll Bar Academy by 'educating through the physical'. We encourage students to express themselves both individually and collectively in a variety of sporting activities. Students are not only taught about physical development, but develop inter-personal skills and their ability to work alongside others.

Knowledge & Skills

Students who chose an examination-based qualification in Physical Education will acquire and develop knowledge of various issues which influence sporting performance.

Students will:

• Be encouraged to link together skills and ideas.
• Perform skills with accuracy and consistency.
• Understand how to prepare the body for exercise.
• Work with others to achieve a common goal.
• Develop knowledge of tactics and strategies in a variety of sports.
• Improve performance of others.

Those who choose GCSE Physical Education will also acquire knowledge in the following areas:

• Applied anatomy and physiology.
• Movement analysis.
• Physical training.
• Use of data.
• Sports psychology.
• Socio-cultural influences.
• Health, fitness and well-being.

For those students who choose BTEC Sport they will acquire knowledge of the following:

• Health and fitness.
• Principles of training.
• The effects of exercise.
• Planning a fitness programme.

Resources & Facilities

Waltham Toll Bar Academy is extremely well equipped to comprehensively meet the Curriculum Area demands of Physical Education. The facilities we offer are the envy of other establishments and allow students to be taught a range of activities. Currently we have a large sports hall which holds 5 badminton courts and a full-size basketball court alongside 2 multi-purpose gymnasiums which allow activities such as aerobics, table tennis, gymnastics and dance to be taught on the curriculum.

In November 2011 British Olympian Dean Macey opened the Academy's state of the art fitness suite. At a cost of £250,000, the facility enables students to understand the benefits of exercise in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The fitness suite caters for all users, allowing students to carry out their own personal fitness programme - whatever their gender, sporting background or fitness goals. The suite has 10 cross-trainers and 8 rowing machines allowing users to develop aerobic fitness throughout the year. Those looking to develop muscular strength or improve muscle tone have a variety of weight machines to work all areas of the body. There is also a comprehensive collection of free weights and toning weights as well as a floor area where students can develop core strength.

Our outdoor facilities are also of a high standard and allow students to experience all areas of the curriculum. One such facility is the team-building area which allows outdoor and adventure-based activities to be taught in an innovative and stimulating environment. The various obstacles and challenges within this facility allow students to work in groups to develop their inter-personal skills.

• 2 high quality football pitches with box goals.
• 2 full-size football pitches.
• 1 full-size rugby pitch.
• 2 outdoor basketball courts.
• 8 tennis courts.
• Team-building area.
• 2 cricket squares.

With plans to further improve the sporting facilities available at Waltham Toll Bar Academy, it is clearly an exciting time which promises continued high-class facilities in the future.

Courses & Qualifications

Lower Secondary

Our Physical Education curriculum involves exploring a wide range of activities which includes football; rugby; tennis; gymnastics; dance; health-related fitness; netball; rounders; badminton; basketball; athletics; cricket; softball, cheerleading, aerobics, outdoor and adventure-based activities and cross-country.

Upper Secondary (Core)

Students continue to follow the curriculum and cover the activities from Key Stage 3 at a more advanced level. Students at Waltham Toll Bar Academy have the opportunity to further their knowledge of factors influencing sporting performance as we offer a range of sports-based qualifications. The courses offered at the Academy are:

Upper Secondary (GCSE):

Those who choose Physical Education at GCSE will be timetabled 3 additional lessons per week. Students will have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in Physical Education (AQA Examination Board).

Upper Secondary (BTEC):

Students studying BTEC First Level 2 Award in Sport will be timetabled 3 additional lessons per week. This award is the equivalent to one GCSE.

Toll Bar MAT Sixth Form College (A Level):

Current Waltham Toll Bar Academy Sixth Form students have the opportunity to study Physical Education at A Level (AQA Examination Board).

Learning Outside The Classroom

At Waltham Toll Bar Academy, sport plays an integral part in Academy life and allows students to experience competitive sport in a fun environment. Teams across a variety of sports compete in local competitions on a regular basis. As well as offering the traditional 'school sports' such as football, rugby and netball we have diversified the after-Academy clubs we offer in order to cater for all. Recent additions to the after-Academy club rota include athletics, cheerleading, dance, cross country, tennis, rounders and multi-gym club. All are encouraged to attend after-Academy clubs regardless of their ability or experience and it is an excellent opportunity to meet new friends. As well as competing locally, Waltham Toll Bar Academy also competes at national level and our teams are often found competing at the latter stages of these events. Recently the Academy has enjoyed excellent success in national competitions in football, badminton, cheerleading and basketball.

In addition to the extensive range of Academy teams and practices, there are also numerous inter-house sport competitions in which students can enter. These competitions allow students to experience competitive sport by representing their house group in an organised competition. The competitions have proved a real success and students have turned out in their numbers in all activities. For those who enjoy team sports, there are inter-house competitions in football, netball, basketball, badminton and rounders. Other inter-house events include cross country and dance. One of the highlights of the school sporting calendar is the school sports day. This is again run as an inter-house event where students represent their house with all competitors contributing to their overall house total. Last year over 750 students competed in what was a truly memorable event!

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

We pride ourselves in not only developing the physical skills of our students but developing personal qualities that will aid them when they leave Waltham Toll Bar Academy. They experience working with others to achieve a common goal as well as learning about the body and the importance of exercise. The skills and knowledge we hope to develop are:

• Communication.
• Teamwork.
• Problem Solving.
• Personal Responsibility.
• Knowledge of Health and Fitness.
• Literacy and Numeracy.

By offering nationally recognised qualifications in Physical Education and Sport to students, we also provide the first step to a variety of Higher Education courses and possible careers. Having completed a GCSE in Physical Education or BTEC Level 2 Award in Sport students can go on to:

• Study Physical Education at A Level at Toll Bar MAT Sixth Form College (providing entry requirements are met).
• Numerous university degrees and Masters courses including Sport, Science, Teaching (P.E.) and Physiotherapy.
• A career in teaching, physiotherapy, sport science, sports coaching, personal training, biomechanics, sport psychology and nutrition.