GCSE PE - swimming…

[SorrengailFables]

So the great GCSE selection process….
DD wants to do PE - We’ve had a quick spiel at options night about what it entails but I’m still a bit concerned about the practical evidence/videoing…
she’s sporty - swims with a club, county level consistently for her main events and should get regional times in a couple this year - but she is not exceptional/medal-winning/national talent!!
School netball team. Always selected for x-country&athletics for school. Can rock climb ok with her dad….but I’ve heard swimming is really hard to get a good mark in? Can someone explain why or what they are looking for?

exam board AQA. She’s on for 8s and 9s in all her other subjects…

It's only hard in that it's got technical elements and you'll need video of her diving from a block and tumbling etc.. The only tricky bit for recreational swimmers is that the blocks aren't out, but if she's club swimming that's fine.

And she doesn't have to be a national talent! Most kids just do their school sports. Sounds like she's bright too so will ace the written paper which is very easy.

I don’t know about swimming specifically but in general, a massively high standard is not needed, despite what you may see on MN.

ds 2 played footy for a local club and did athletics for the county and got an 8.

I wouldn’t say the written paper is very easy tho. There’s another thread where a poster makes the point that it’s actually effectively a new subject which is a good point. It’s very science based so if that’s a strength she’ll be fine. But it’s not GCSE in playing footy as a lot of YP think haha

A club swimmer hitting county standards will be absolutely fine.

Thank you all! I’d just seen comments on here about how difficult swimming was and had googled a few example videos on YouTube and they were all exceptionally fast swimmers!! Our club has underwater cameras etc so hopefully should be able to get footage easily enough…and hope school gets the other 2 sports…! I think she’ll be ok with the theory - she’s good at science and biology is her strongest of the 3…

you’ve all reassured me!

My dd had swimming as a sport- she’s not county standard but got full marks as she showed all the technical elements needed and did quite well at a local swim meet- nothing exceptional though. She got an easy 9 - but that was more because she finds biology very easy.

speed isn’t an issue. We’ve recorded many of our swimmers (on their own phone) for PE stuff.

My DS did PE. He was a club swimmer, not county level. Did a video of him doing his thing. Teacher said it was very good. He quit swimming the next day.

My friend’s son did PE gcse last year - hes a strong rugby player but not county level, then he did his two other sports in school (badminton was one, I forget the other). He got an 8.

although our school is now only offering BTec PE not GCSE, the PE dept told me it is because they find too few kids can actually play 3 sports to a decent level by the time they get to Y10, and lots think it will be easy but can’t cope with the theory. Apparently the BTec has a learning coaching element rather than more about individual performance in sports.

@labradorservant ha ha! The PE teacher did say “just don’t quit before you’ve recorded your evidence!” - I think it’s a common time to stop as it is a massive time commitment especially once GCSE work properly starts….if she does PE she’s planning to start videoing early just in case she decides to stop!

You've all reassured me re times and it sounds like good technique is key…

@MillsMollsMands - 3 at a good standard is hard - by that age if you’re good at something you’re usually committed to more than once a week training and so there’s not much time to develop 3 separate sports! She’s generally sporty and fit from swimming - I ‘m hoping she picks up enough solid marks and the theory should be in her skill set 😬

My DC didn’t choose PE because they didn’t have time for 2 other sports on top of the swimming.

My DS certainly offered a sport just done in school – I can’t even remember but I think it was badminton. He didn't play it to any level at all. There’s no expectation to be at county (or whatever) level in three sports.

His mate only did athletics (sprinting and LJ) outside school so IIRC he offered basketball from school, it was fine. I think a candidate who did no sports outside school might struggle.

For GCSE the main thing is to be able to demonstrate progression in your 3 sports. Not many pupils will be able to offer 3 sports at a high level. A level is a different kettle of fish - you only have to do one sport but to score high marks on the practical element you do have to be pretty good. The standard needed at GCSE is much more attainable. Obviously you do need to have some aptitude for sport but you certainly don't need to be an Olympic hopeful across multiple sports to get a high grade for GCSE! I don't think you have anything to worry about OP.

A club swimmer will be fine for GCSE - particularly as their times are an objective measure of improvement. DS used the video of him winning a county title for his.

Thanks all
@Lemonsole lets just hope year 10 isn’t a plateau year for times 🤣🤣

It sounds like it will all work out…and hopefully she can get a good grade…