Academic | Physical Education

Work within the Physical Education Department is designed to support, contribute to and complement the overall aims of the school. Physical Education plays a major part in contributing to school life and pupil development. The value of physical activity is recognised by the allocation of a daily games session for all pupils of the school.

The Physical Education Department aims to provide an enjoyable, satisfying and balanced programme with opportunities for every pupil to develop physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially. A range of activities and experiences will endeavour to meet the needs of all pupils and encourage active involvement by all as performers, observers and at times as officials.

Physical Education is an integral part of education possessing a central body of knowledge based on well established academic principles. Although education and Physical Education have respective fields of study they have common aims and objectives. In the teaching situation, where the process of education and physical education is experienced, the methods and media employed are used to fulfil the specific aims of each aspect.

Physical Education is concerned with the development of the whole personality endeavouring to assist as individual to take his place as a well-integrated contributor to the cultural, social and moral climate of the school. Within Physical Education there are excellent opportunities to foster an appreciation of culturally acceptable moral and social attitudes and inter-relationships of freedom, responsibility, authority and self-discipline and the benefits that accrue from the group dependence. These general aims, which guide the process of education, are supported by the specific aims and objectives of Physical Education.

By participating in purposeful and enjoyable activities the individual is provided with wide and diverse opportunities to develop his potential motor activities, master challenging physical skills and realise his own capacity for creative and imaginative work. His involvement in controlled situations on the games field, in the swimming pool or in the gym, for example, encourages the development of favourable attitudes towards health through bodily exercise, and the understanding and practice of co-operation and competitive activity.

Physical Education is an integral part of education for leisure. By providing a purposeful and enjoyable range of activities and by giving all pupils access to representing the school at their own level of achievement, self-confidence is fostered and nurtured to lead all pupils to realise a positive attitude to physical education and recreation.

It is intended that the programme offered, together with an appreciation of the leisure and sports opportunities available, will develop in pupils the knowledge, skills and attitudes conducive to leading an active and healthy life.