Specification at a glance

Assessment overview

All components include synoptic assessment.

Students who are retaking a qualification may carry forward their result for the non-exam assessment.

Students must complete all components (01, 02 and 03) to be awarded the OCR GCSE in Physical Education.

Content overview

Component 01: Physical factors affecting performance

Students explore how parts of the human body function during physical activity and the physiological adaptations that can occur due to diet and training. They also develop skills in data analysis, and an understanding of the principles of training, why we train in different ways and how training plans can be made to optimise results.

There are two topics:

• Applied anatomy and physiology
• Physical training.

Component 02: Socio-cultural issues and sports psychology

Students develop their knowledge of the social-cultural and psychological influences on levels of participation in sport, and also how sport impacts on society more broadly. This includes the individual benefits to health, fitness and well-being of participating in physical activity, as well as the influences of commercialisation, sponsorship and the media.

There are three topics:

• Socio-cultural influences
• Sports psychology
• Health, fitness and well-being.

Component 03: Performance in physical education

Students are assessed in performing three practical activities and one performance analysis task. In the practical performance, they demonstrate effective performance, the use of tactics or techniques and the ability to observe the rules and conventions under applied conditions. They are also required to demonstrate their ability to analyse and evaluate their own performance to produce an action plan for improvement.