Staff

• Mr O'Neill- Head of PE
• Mr Thornton
• Miss Donnelly

Aims of the Department  

The PE Department at St Joseph’s College aims to inspire every pupil to lead a healthy, active, and fulfilling life through inclusive, respectful, and empowering physical education that nurtures personal growth, integrity, and a lifelong love of movement and sport.  

1. Promote Inclusive Participation and Personal Growth

• Ensure all pupils, regardless of ability or background, feel supported and valued in PE. 

• Develop confidence, resilience, and self-awareness through physical challenges and teamwork. 

• Celebrate effort and progress, not just performance. 

1. Prepare Pupils for a Healthy, Active Future and Community Contribution

• Equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to maintain lifelong physical and mental well-being. 

• Develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that transfer beyond PE. 

• Encourage pupils to contribute positively to their school and wider community through sport and physical activity. 

1. Foster Respect, Kindness, and Integrity Through Sport

• Teach pupils to respect themselves, others, and the rules of the game. 

• Encourage fair play, empathy, and positive relationships in competitive and cooperative settings. 

• Model and reinforce ethical behaviour and sportsmanship. 

Curriculum Overview 

Key Stage 3 

At Key Stage 3, Physical Education is delivered over four lessons per fortnight. Pupils study a broad and balanced range of activities in the following areas of study: 

• Athletics 

• Dance 

• Games 

• Gymnastics 

In Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils participate in connected learning opportunities with other subject areas through a thematic approach. They investigate several areas including Personal Health and Fitness. Games including Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Handball, Hurling, Soccer, Dance, Volleyball, Badminton and European Handball. 

Key Stage 4 

Practical PE (Years 11 and 12)

Pupils explore personal health, fitness, and team dynamics through a variety of sports, including:

• Games: Badminton, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Handball, Gaelic Football, Hurling, and Camogie.

• Fitness and Movement: Gym-based fitness and Dance.

Theory PE Options

Option 1: BTEC Level 1/2 First Award in Sport

A vocational course combining practical performance with theoretical coursework.

• Unit 1 (Exam): Fitness for Sport and Exercise (Fitness principles, training methods, and testing).

• Unit 2 (Coursework): Practical Sports Performance (Rules, tactics, and performance analysis in two sports).

• Unit 3 (Coursework): Applying the Principles of Personal Training (Designing and reviewing a personal fitness plan).

• Unit 6 (Coursework): Leading Sports Activities (Planning and delivering sports sessions).

• Assessment: 1 written exam (25%) and 3 coursework units (75%).

Option 2: GCSE Physical Education (WJEC Eduqas)

A traditional GCSE focusing heavily on sports science, theory, and high-level practical performance.

• Component 1: Theory Exam (60%)

  • Exercise physiology (body systems) and movement analysis.

  • Sports psychology, health, training, and socio-cultural issues in sport.

• Component 2: Practical Performance (30%)

  • Assessed in three sports (either 2 team + 1 individual, or 1 team + 2 individual).

• Component 3: Personal Training Program (10%)

  • Coursework project designing and evaluating a training plan to improve performance.

• Assessment: 1 written exam (2 hours at the end of Year 11) and practical video/teacher assessment.

Extra-Curricular Activities: Gaelic, Hurling, Camogie, Soccer, Handball, Cross Country, Athletics, Athletic Development Program. 

Competitions:  

• U13.5, U14.5, U15.5, U16.5 Boys Football all entered GAA Ulster Schools.  

• U14 and U16 Girls Football LGFA Ulster Schools 

• Handball – Regional Competitions for Year 8-12 

• Camogie Blitzes – Regional and Ulster Competitions Year 8-12 

• Hurling Blitzes – Regional and Ulster Competitions Year 8-12 

• NI Soccer Cup competitions for U14 and U16 grades 
• Year 9 and Year 11 small schools’ soccer competition 

Performances:  

U13.5 Gaelic Football Year 9 Team won the Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup 2025 beating Gaelcholáiste Dhoire, Dungiven.  

U14 Gaelic Football Ladies Team Ulster Champions won the Ulster Development Championship against Loreto Cavan.  

U13.5 Gaelic Football Year 9 Team won the Danske Bank O'Doherty Cup 2026 beating St Patricks Dungiven.   U16.5 Year 12 Gaelic team won the Danske Bank Pat King Cup in 2026 beating Gaelcholaiste Dhoire.    The U15.5 Year 11 Gaelic Team were runners up in Danske Bank Nagle Cup against St Patricks and St Brigids Claudy.