Madras College PE Department Vision statement

To create an enjoyable working environment for both staff and pupils, where, together we strive to learn and improve and where participation and achievement is measured and celebrated.

As a department, we aim to provide a challenging, disciplined and safe environment for high quality learning and teaching. Pupils should experience a balance of activities which has the necessary coherence and breadth to develop the Curriculum for Excellence four capacities (successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors).

Progression should be evident as the pupil passes through S1 to S3 with an extended choice of activity in S4 to S6 to ensure the pupil is offered a stimulating and relevant Senior school choice in PE.

By the end of their physical education in Madras College, the pupil should have developed a personal commitment to maintaining their health and well-being into their adult life. We aim to provide courses which will encourage our pupils to develop and improve their competence by participating in physical activity.

General Aims

The general aims of our department are based on the following:

1. We believe that education’s primary function should be to create a well-balanced, informed and thinking adult;
2. We believe that we can achieve this through stimulating ideas and imagination and by creating a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning;
3. We believe that self-discipline and the ability to express oneself are vital to the successful development of our pupils
4. Our courses are designed to promote the physical and personal development of our pupils by encouraging them to:
   
   
   • Become more interested and involved in physical activity;
   • To develop the knowledge and understanding, specialist PE skills and attitude necessary for physical and emotional health and well being
   • Realise that their physical health helps them to engage successfully in the world in which they live in;
   • Experience positive aspects of healthy living and activity
   • Become convinced of the importance of learning for themselves;
   • Become more confident in their ability to express themselves as a successful sportsperson
   • Take responsibility for their own learning.
   • Enjoy PE and recognise that it has value for them, quite apart from the acquisition of grades;

Course Overview

Physical Education is a core subject and therefore compulsory until the end of Fifth Year. 

   S1 comprises single sex ability classes with two weekly periods
   S2 is made up of single sex classes with two weekly periods
   S3 is made up of single sex classes with two weekly periods
   S4 is made up of mixed classes with two weekly periods
   S5 is made up of mixed classes with up to four weekly periods
   In S6 there is an option to choose up to four periods of weekly PE.

In addition, Standard Grade is taught at S3 and S4 with a summer S4 exam diet
Higher and Intermediate 2 PE is taught as a one-year course in S5 or S6 with a summer exam diet. There is a Sports Leader Course for S5/6.

For further details on courses, click on the yeargroup links on the left of this page.