Summary
The purpose of the physical education course is to develop the student’s ability to participate in physical education and physical activity.
The course is suitable for students who have a strong interest in sports, physical fitness or physical activities such as dancing. It develops the student’s performance levels, as well as introducing the student to insights into physical activity from the social and life sciences.
Students choose from a wide variety of physical activities and will work to improve their performance in these activities.
As the written assessment comprises 50% of the marking, ability in the physical activity alone will not be sufficient, students will need to engage with the classroom portion of the course. The course is structured so that knowledge learned in the classroom, such as how to analyse skills and improve nutrition, will directly benefit the student’s physical performance goals.
The course recognises the importance of promoting physical activity and the demands an active lifestyle can place on students and adults. The course equips students to be proponents of active lifestyles equipped with the knowledge to maximise their own and others potential.
Why Study Physical Education
- For students with a talent for a physical activity, the course could be a valuable source of leaving cert points. However, students will need good attention to detail to work on the required skills for the physical assessment and a willingness to study the classroom sections of the course.
- For students faced with sacrificing sports or other activities to make time for their leaving cert preparation, the Physical Education course offers a way to balance the two.
What kind of student might Physical Education suit?
- The course should suit physically active students who are engaged in individual or team sports as well as activities such as dance and gymnastics.
- Students who plan to pursue a career in sports and fitness occupations, such as physiotherapy, physical training or sports coaching, will benefit from the course.
- Sports need not be a career goal to justify taking the course, the course content will benefit any student for whom participation in sports or dance makes up a significant part of their day to day lives.
Subject Group: Social
These subjects explore common issues faced by all people living in society. They develop the skills and knowledge used to manage personal resources and guide human behaviour.
Career Sectors
This subject builds skills and knowledge that are particularly useful for careers in the following Career Sectors:
Grades Awarded
Explore Marks Distribution for all Subjects:
Course Overview
The physical education course features theoretical and practical sections. The two sections are interlinked, with the knowledge gained in the theoretical section enabling the student to improve his/her performance in the practical assessments.
In the theoretical section students will study the factors that impact on physical performance, the relationship between sport and society and examine the benefits of participation in physical activity. The topics studied are varied, they include learning how to maintain fitness, nutrition, develop skills, the ethics of sport and the promotion of active lifestyles.
In the physical section, students will be assessed on their skill level in three activities. There is a wide range of physical activities that can be selected, such as football, rugby, sailing, swimming, dance, running and weight training. Students will then work on improving their preparation, participation and performance in their chosen activity.
Course Content
Click here for Curriculum Specification.
The theoretical section is separated into two strands, students will study 4 topics in each strand for a total of 8 topics studied.
Strand 1 Towards optimum performance
In this set of topics students study the factors that influence physical performance, including how they can be applied to their own performance.
1. Learning and improving skill and technique
2. Physical and psychological demands of performance
3. Structures, strategies, roles and conventions
4. Planning for optimum performance
Strand 2 Contemporary issues in physical activity
Students learn about the culture of sports, it’s role in society and how people experience physical activity and sport. There are six possible topics, but only four are set for each Leaving Cert cycle.
These topics are run every year
5. Promoting physical activity
6. Ethics and fair play
These topics rotate, with two of the following four appearing in each Leaving Cert cycle
7. Physical activity and inclusion
8. Technology, media and sport
9. Gender and physical activity
10. Business and enterprise in physical activity and sport
For the physical section students will select three activities. There are 6 categories of physical activity and students must select one from three different categories.
The six categories of physical activity are:
- Adventure activities – Orienteering, Kayaking, Rock-climbing, Sailing, Rowing/Sculling
- Artistic and aesthetic activities – Artistic gymnastics, Rhythmic gymnastics, Dance
- Athletics – Running, Throwing, Jumping
- Aquatics – Lifesaving, Survival swimming, Two swimming strokes, Water-polo, Synchronised swimming
- Games – Gaelic football, Hurling/Camogie, Rugby Union, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Olympic handball, Badminton, Tennis, Volleyball, Table tennis, Handball, Squash, Cricket, Softball, Rounders
- Personal exercise and fitness – training, aerobics, spinning, indoor rowing, weight training, core stability, circuit training
Students will focus on three goals in the three selected physical activities.
- Develop the standard of their performance
- Be creative in their personal performance as an individual performer and/or as a member of a team/group.
- Be consistent in the quality of their performance.
Learning Outcomes
The objectives of Leaving Certificate Physical Education are:
- to develop the learner’s performance in physical activity
- ability to reflect on performance in physical activity
- knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence performance and participation in physical activity
- appreciation of the benefits of physical activity for lifelong health and wellbeing capacity to undertake different roles in physical activities
- understanding of the principles underlying ethical participation in physical activity
- understanding of the role of physical activity and sport in the social and cultural life of Ireland.
Exam Structure
| Physical Education | Higher | Ordinary |
| Written Paper | 1 Paper - 50% of Marks | 1 Paper - 50% of Marks |
| Project | 1 Paper - 20% of Marks | 1 Paper - 20% of Marks |
| Performance | 1 Paper - 30% of Marks | 1 Paper - 30% of Marks |
Click on the links below:
For the current cohort studying LCPE please note that on page 44 of the PDF specification, training may be aerobic and/or anaerobic.
Career Possibilities
The immediate image suggested by the Leaving Certificate course is a career as an athlete or dancer. However, horizons are much broader, the Leaving Cert course will equip students with knowledge and skills suited to a wide range of career paths. The course would be a first step towards careers in health and fitness, nutrition, physiotherapy or sports administration.
For students who do not peruse a career in a related area the knowledge gained from the course could still have an enormously beneficial contribution throughout their life. Enabling them to maximise their own physical activity and that of the members of their community.
3rd Level Requirements
Required for 3rd Level?
This subject is not an essential requirement for any courses in the CAO system.
Source: Qualifax
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