Physical Education (PE)

"Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can.  Sport can create hope where there was only despair.  It breaks down racial barriers.  It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination.  Sport speaks to people in language they can understand."

-Nelson Mandela

The British School of Chicago believes that Physical Education, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, should be a unique and vital contributor to a pupil's physical, emotional and social development and well being.  A broad and balanced curriculum provides a child with opportunities for success through a selection of suitably differentiated and logically developed tasks.  Physical Education aims to develop a child's confidence to get involved in PE and sport and for them to willingly take part in a range of competitive, creative and challenging types of activities.  Through a balance of individual, paired and group activities, a child will develop the ability to work as an individual and as part of a team and think and make decisions for themselves.  They will show a desire to improve and overall will enjoy PE, school and community sport.

The nature of the curriculum and its objectives do change as children move up through the Key Stages.  Physical Education evolves from a subject that focuses purely on the physical in the early years, to a subject that is predominantly an academic study.  Throughout all Key Stages, children are encouraged to think carefully about their movements and to analyse the movements of others.  Physiological and psychological concepts relating to sport are introduced steadily in an attempt to build their theoretical understanding of the subject.  At age 14, children can opt to study PE at GCSE level.

Foundation (ages 3-5)

Physical development in the foundation stage is about improving skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement.  It helps children gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active.  Effective physical development helps children develop a positive sense of well-being.

Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7)

During Key Stage 1, children build on their natual enthusiasm for movement, using it to explore and learn about their world.  They start to play and work with other children in pairs and small groups.  By watching, listening and experimenting with movement and ideas, they develop their skills in movement and their coordination, and enjoy expressing and testing themselves in a variety of situations.  The curriculum consists of games activities, gymnastics, dance, athletic activities and health-related exercise (HRE).

Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11)

During Key Stage 2, children enjoy being active and using their creativity and imagination in physical activity.  They learn new skills, find out how to use them in different ways, and link them to make actions, phrases and sequences of movement.  They enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other.  They develop an understanding of how to succeed in different activities and learn how to evaluate and recognize their own success.  The curriculum consists of invasion games, striking/fielding games, net games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming, OAA and HRE.

Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)

During Key Stage 3, pupils become more expert in their skills and techniques, and learn how to apply them in different activities.  They start to understand what makes an effective performance and how to apply these principles to their own and others' work.  They learn to take the initiative and make decisions for themselves about what to do to improve performance.  They start to identify the types of activity they prefer, and take a variety of roles, such as leader and official.  The curriculum consists of invasion games, striking/fielding games, net games, gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming, OAA and HRE.

Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16)

During Key Stage 4, students will have the option to study PE as an exam subject. 
GCSE Physical Education is a two year course, starting in the September of year 10 and finishing with a 2 hour examination in June of year 11.  The qualification is graded 60% practical and 40% theory.  For the practical side of the course, the pupils choose four sporting activities to be assessed in.  For the theoretical side of the course the pupils will study factors affecting performance and participation in physical activity.  Students will also complete a 6 week training program and their planning, performance, monitoring and evaluating skills will be assessed through their coursework.

Sports Teams (ages 9-16)

The British School of Chicago competes in the Chicago Area Middle Schools League in girls volleyball, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys flag football, boys basketball, girls basketball and co-ed softball.  Pupils can sign up for sport teams from year 5-11.