Head of Department: Mr Long
Direct Dial Telephone: 01344 465056
Email: dlong@brakenhale.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Aims

• To promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage participation on a recreational or competitive basis.
• To improve knowledge and understanding of activities and educate students in a variety of sports, providing opportunities for everyone.

Key Stage 3

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum. Activities on offer include Basketball, Badminton, Football, Rugby, Cross Country, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Dance, Netball, Volleyball, Trampoline, Athletics, Cricket, Rounders and Tennis. Each activity is studied for a minimum of twelve hours (two lessons per week) with an assessment at the end of each unit. A separate unit of Health Related Exercise is completed in each year.

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Key Stage 4

All students follow GCSE Physical Education. There are two courses on offer: a full course or a short course. Students select either two or four activities to submit as coursework and complete an analysis of performance in one of their chosen sports. Students are offered two activities to choose from each half term. Full course GCSE students can also completed a first aid qualification and JSLA (Junior Sports Leader Award) in addition.

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Post 16

Two different courses can be studied in years 12 & 13:

• A/S - A/2 Physical Education - students choose 2 activities and complete units in exercise and training, social basis of sport, global games and sports psychology.
• Community sports leader award - an introduction and recognised qualification allowing students to coach young people in sport. Additions are available from National Governing Bodies, allowing students to specialise.

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Teaching and Learning

We aim to include and motivate all students through a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Whether performing coaching or officiating in activities everybody has the opportunity to be successful. ICT is used on a regular basis and award schemes are used to recognise achievement. GCSE & Post 16 lessons are taught using as much practical as possible to cover the theory elements of the courses.

Resources

The department is well resourced. Equipment is regularly updated and maintained. The department has its own digital camera and this is used on a regular basis in the teaching of analysis of performance. For examinations a variety of textbooks are used from sport examined to Advanced Physical Education.

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Special Events

All years compete in a variety of fixtures on a local and national basis. Competitions and tournaments are attended regularly.

Events include:
Berkshire Cross Country Schools Championships
Berkshire Schools Penthalon Championships
Reading Schools 6-aside Girls Tournament (2007 winners)
Playstation 5-aside Football Tournament
Year 7 East Berkshire Schools' Football League
Numerous Trampolining Competition
Berkshire Schools' Indoor Athletics Competition
Emerging Schools Rugby Festival
District Athletics

Sports Day - an annual event held towards the end of the summer term. All students participate in a range of roles.

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Other Information

Kit:
Boys
White polo shirt, black shorts, blue tracksuit trousers, yellow and black rugby shirt, black football socks, navy blue fleece, navy blue sweatshirt.
Girls
White polo shirt with Brakenhale logo, navy blue shorts or tracksuit trousers, navy blue fleece, navy blue sweatshirt.

Sports Mark Awards:
This shows commitment to offering a variety and appropriate curricular programme and has links with clubs and other organisations within the community.

Extra Curricular Activities
Various extra curricular sports activities are available throughout the year.

Links:
GCSE & A Level websites: www.teachpe.com, www.s-cool.co.uk 
National Governing Bodies: e.g. www.thefa.com, www.englandnetball.com
(Brakenhale cannot take responsible for the content of external websites.)

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