Physical Education
Loretto has a strong team of dedicated sports coaches amongst the teaching staff which it supplements with external sports coaching from visiting professionals.
The School’s facilities include a sports hall, extensive playing fields, a fully equipped fitness centre, an Astroturf®, state-of-the art golf facilities and access to two local swimming pools, all of which are used to deliver the PE curriculum.
During Forms Two and Three, pupils experience of a wide variety of physical activities through which physical, personal and social skills can be taught. Activities include Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Health-Related Fitness and Swimming. Preparation for an active, healthy lifestyle after school is the key overall objective.
Classes are taught co-educationally and with mixed ability. This allows for a greater understanding of the need for cooperation and teamwork as well as the appreciation of performance and achievement at different levels which we at Loretto believe to be essential life skills.
There is a degree of formal assessment in PE but it is focused on recognising physical improvement and skill development as well as relative performance. Assessments are primarily carried out in Gymnastics, Health-Related Fitness and Athletics.
Each GCSE class is allocated 3 x 55 minute lessons per week, which are divided into two theory classes and one practical class.
The course is an excellent, although not compulsory, introduction to the BTEC Sport Extended Certificate and Extended Diploma options.
Pupils choose three practical activities from at least two activity areas: Games Activities, Gymnastic Activities, Dance Activities, Athletic Activities, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, Swimming Activities, Exercise Activities.
In Sixth Form pupils can go on to study the BTEC Sport course