Physical Education

The PE Department at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi intends to empower pupils with the knowledge, values and personal qualities to be confident lifelong physical activity participants.

We believe that PE is unique in its ability to develop the 'whole' child. We value PE lessons highly and extended curriculum opportunities where our students' relationships, social development, enjoyment and health are enhanced and promoted.

We strive to ensure that health, fitness and sporting opportunities are available for all and can co-exist in a busy school environment. 

PE Assessment Aims

Aims for Physical Education lessons are: 

• Development of Technical skills: skilful use of the body, the ability to remember, repeat and refine actions and to perform them with increasing control, coordination and fluency. To develop an increasing ability to select, link and apply skills, tactics and compositional ideas. 
• Development of Knowledge of health and fitness: an understanding of the effects of exercise on the body, and an appreciation of the value of safe exercising.
• Evaluation and Improvement: observation skills and the ability to describe and analyse their own and others’ work, and to use these findings improve performance. 
• Planning and Leading: the ability to work independently, and communicate with and respond positively towards others. To promote an understanding of safe practice, and develop a sense of responsibility.

In the Pre-Prep we give pupils the confidence, motivation, skills and knowledge to be active. The fundamental movement skills are taught thematically to enable cross-curricular links and to ensure pupils are able to explore, create and have fun. We allow the pupils the opportunity to develop and be challenged at an appropriate level.

In the Prep School students will cover a range of activities including athletics, basketball, badminton, cricket, dance, gymnastics, fitness, football, fundamentals, netball, rugby, tennis, net and wall, striking and fielding, swimming and trampolining. 
 

In the Senior School, the students may cover football, basketball, rugby, tennis, strength and conditioning, cricket, athletics, badminton, trampolining, volleyball, dance and netball. 

Visit the Co-curricular pages to find out about sports teams within the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Prep and Senior schools. 

Physical Education in the Senior School

By selecting Physical Education as an academic subject in Year 10 students will receive a well-rounded introduction to the world of PE, sport and sport science through the combination of physical performance and academic challenges. Students study:

• theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport to improve performance 
• how the physiological and psychological state affects performance 
• different physical activities by developing skills and techniques and selecting and using tactics, strategies and/or compositional ideas 
• how to analyse and evaluate to improve performance 
• the contribution which physical activity and sport make to health, fitness and well-being 
• key socio-cultural influences which can affect people’s involvement

PE, sport and dance each offer a unique platform on which to explore a multitude of holistic learning opportunities. For instance, the ethical or moral controversies in sport can give teachers a range of educational stimuli for debate, reasoning and critical thinking. Finally, all cross-curricular links between PE and subjects such as Performing Arts, Science, English and Maths allow our students to integrate their learning across a wider range of subjects.

Sport in the Sixth Form

At Cranleigh Abu Dhabi we offer BTEC International Level 3 in Sport qualification. Students explore topics such as anatomy and physiology, sports nutrition and psychology. Students also have the opportunity to engage with industry experts from Abu Dhabi University and NYU Abu Dhabi where they explore and participate in fitness testing and sports nutrition.

The assessment approach for the BTEC qualification allows students to receive feedback on their progress throughout the course, as they provide evidence towards meeting the unit assessment and grading criteria.
 

Units covered may include:

• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Practical Sports Performance
• Sports Psychology
• Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities
• Fitness Testing

Career Opportunities

Students will be able to access Universities and continue their studies to degree level. Many universities will accept BTEC students as they are aware that the study skills they have developed over two years will greatly enhance their ability to complete a degree qualification.

This qualification also creates a number of pathways into employment including fitness/ personal training, sports rehabilitation and coaching.