Physical Education (PE)

Course type: A level
Awarding/exam body: OCR

Would you like to understand why some people love physical activity and others don’t?

Do you want to learn how technology can improve sporting performance?

The A level in Physical Education (PE) lets you study PE in an academic setting, enabling you to critically analyse and evaluate your physical performance and apply your experience of practical activity to developing knowledge and understanding of the subject.

As a PE student you will develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors – physiological and psychological – that affect physical activity and sport, and use this knowledge to improve performance. You’ll understand the key socio-cultural factors that influence people’s involvement in physical activity and sport and the role of technology.

In the physical component, you will refine your ability to perform effectively in physical activity and sport by developing skills and techniques, selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas, and developing your ability to analyse and evaluate to improve performance.

You will understand the contribution of physical activity to health and fitness. The NEA (coursework) lets you select a sporting activity and explore it in detail as a performer or coach. As part of the NEA, you will also analyse and evaluate performance in a chosen activity. The exam components of the course provide the knowledge and understanding to underpin the NEA.

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Course Units

Unit 1: Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

Unit 2: Psychological Factors Affecting Performance

Unit 3: Socio-cultural Issues in Physical Activity and Sport

Unit 5: Practical Performance

Unit 6: Evaluating & Analysing Performance for Improvement (NEA)

Course Assessment

Three written exams, a practical performance and the non-exam assessment (NEA).

Where This Course Could Take You

A level PE prepares you for the further study of PE or sports science courses as well as other related subject areas such as Psychology, Sociology and Biology. You will also develop transferable skills, such as decision making and independent thinking, that are in demand by further education, higher education and employers in all sectors of industry.

A level PE is an excellent base for a university degree in sports science, sports management, healthcare, or exercise and health. it can also complement further study in biology, human biology, physics, psychology, nutrition, sociology and many more.

A level PE can open up a range of career opportunities including sports development, sports coaching, physiotherapy, personal training or becoming one of the next generation of PE teachers.

Entry Requirements

6 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, preferably including English Language or Maths at Grade 4 or above. An average GCSE Score of at least 4.3 Grade 5 in Core Science and Maths or English. If you play one sport to a high standard, discuss this with the Head of Department.

Course Highlights

Opportunities to play for the College sports teams in national, regional and county level in cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and tennis.

Courses

Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.

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Students

At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Parents & Carers

Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.

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Upcoming Events

Open Evening

Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm

Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.

Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.

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Hire Our Spaces

Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.

Nursery

‘Happy staff make happy children’

Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.

Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.

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What Our
Students Say

The support I received from passionate teachers who pushed me to aim higher, to the tailored guidance with university applications made all the difference. SFX believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. Without that foundation, I don’t think I’d be on the path to a legal career today.

Joshua, former Sociology student

Record‑Breaking University Applications at SFX

We’re thrilled to announce that almost 90% of our Year 13 students submitted their university applications ahead of last week’s UCAS deadline – the highest completion rate in our history. Even more impressively: 📈 78% of applications were to Top Third universities 📈 55% were to Russell Group institutions – a 6% increase on 2025 […]

Students Celebrated at the Essential 8 Awards

During the final week of term, students’ achievements were recognised at Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College’s Essential 8 Awards, a celebration of the skills and qualities that underpin success both during college life and beyond. Students were nominated by their teachers and Heads of House for demonstrating aptitude in one or more of the […]

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results

We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]

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Physical Education (PE)