Teaching Staff

  • Mrs C McGrath (HOD PE & SPORT)
  • Mr M McMahon (AHOD PE & SPORT)
  • Mr M Donnelly
  • Mr P McKenna
  • Mrs E Jennings
  • Mr P Davey
  • Miss N Marley

Overview

The Physical Education department is one of the largest departments in St Ronan’s College and caters for students from Year 8 – Year 14. Across our two sites, pupils have the use of two sports halls, two assembly halls as well as a fitness suite. We are also privileged to partner with local sports clubs and facilities to make use of grass football pitches, multi-use games arenas (3G), sports halls and gyms. Our staff use these top-class facilities to expertly deliver a broad and balanced curriculum across the Key Stages.

The key focuses for the PE department are:

  • Consistent high-quality teaching and learning, with a key focus on differentiation.
  • Increasing participation levels throughout the school, with a view to life-long participation.
  • Setting realistic targets which are agreed with our pupils.
  • Continuing to achieve top results in examination qualifications.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Year 8 participate in three periods of PE during the week, whilst Year 9 and 10 pupils participate in two periods weekly. We teach a broad and balanced curriculum, covering the following range of content across the Key Stage:

  • Invasion Games
  • Net and Wall Games
  • Athletics
  • Dance
  • Swimming
  • Fitness

Across all topics, pupils’ knowledge of health, fitness and safety will be developed.

Key Stage 4

Pupils in Year 11/12 receive two periods of Physical Education weekly. PE at this Key Stage involves:

  • Games
  • Fitness
  • Dance
  • Developing community links by using outside facilities (Gyms etc).

Pupils begin to learn how to develop their own training programmes for not only their sport, but for their general health and well-being.

In addition to this, pupils have the choice to take on examination qualifications at KS4. St Ronan’s offers:

  • CCEA GCSE PE
  • OCN Sport

This involves a further 4 x 35 lessons a week, aimed at developing their theoretical knowledge of Sport and Exercise.

Key Stage 5

Pupils in Year 13/14 are provided a further opportunity to enhance their knowledge in PE with two different options at KS5. These include:

  • A-Level Physical Education
  • Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry
  • BTEC Sport Coaching and Development Extended Certificate

Both qualifications provide our students with the skills and knowledge needed to go on and study Sport at Higher/Further Education or begin working in the Sport and Leisure Industry.

Career Pathways

Studying PE in St Ronan’s can open a world of possibilities in terms of future careers. Some examples of careers that studying PE can lead to include:

  • Professional Sportsperson
  • PE Teacher
  • Sports Scientist
  • Personal Trainer
  • Physiotherapist
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Sports Psychologist