JUNIOR CYCLE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

DRAFT SYLLABUS FRAMEWORK

Introduction

Junior cycle physical education courses take place in school settings that vary significantly in terms of available facilities and resources. As a consequence, the provision of an inflexible, prescribed syllabus in physical education is inappropriate to the circumstances of most post-primary schools. Rather, this syllabus is presented as an enabling structure through which a wide variety of courses can be developed and implemented as appropriate to the circumstances and resources of the school.

It is hoped that the framework provided by the syllabus will promote greater choice and flexibility at school level, which will allow for the development of courses addressing the needs of students in the individual school. However, all junior cycle courses in physical education should have a predominantly practical focus with the learning environment structured around the active involvement of all students.

Areas of Study

The syllabus includes a number of practical activity areas, each of which has particular characteristics and contributes to the attainment of the overall aim of physical education. These areas of study are

1. Adventure Activities
2. Aquatics
3. Athletics
4. Dance
5. Games
6. Gymnastics
7. Health Related Activity.

Syllabus Structure

The curriculum at junior cycle incorporates the educational principles of breadth, balance, relevance and coherence. These principles should also be reflected in any course derived from this syllabus in physical education. In the Teacher Guidelines, which will accompany this syllabus, content is presented at two levels, reflective of the student's previous experience of physical education.

Level One incorporates content and methodologies appropriate to the student's first experience of the particular practical activity at post-primary school. It is introductory in nature and is accessible to students with a variety of physical education backgrounds. This level presupposes experience of the activity in primary school but such experience is not viewed as a pre-requisite.

Level Two builds upon learning attained at the preceding level. The selection of content and suggested teaching approach is designed to deepen the student's understanding of the activity and enhance the performance level.

As mentioned earlier, the syllabus represents an enabling structure through which a wide variety of courses can be developed and implemented as appropriate to the circumstances and resources of the school. However, it is recommended that all courses derived from the syllabus should be based on the following parameters:

• the junior cycle course should comprise one activity from each of at least six areas of study
• four of these activities should be taken to level two
• two further activities should be taken at the discretion of the teacher (at either level one or two)
• if Health Related Activity is chosen, it is recommended that its content is integrated with other areas of study rather than delivered as a separate area of study.

It is recognised that the availability of facilities and resources will, to some extent, determine the ability of schools to offer a fully balanced course. Nonetheless, every effort should be made to ensure that students receive a comprehensive range of activities.

These parameters, while ensuring a broad and balanced programme, offer the teacher considerable flexibility. The following examples illustrate how the parameters might be applied:

Example A	Six activities pursued at level 1 - Athletics, Adventure Activities, Games - Invasion, Health Related Activity, Gymnastics, Dance Four activities pursued at level 2 - Athletics, Adventure Activities,Games - Invasion, Gymnastics Two further discretionary activities - Games - Net/striking (level 1), Dance (level 2)
Example B	Six activities pursued at level 1 - Athletics, Adventure Activities, Games - Net /striking, Health Related Activity, Gymnastics, Aquatics. Four activities pursued at level 2 - Athletics, Adventure Activities, Games - Net/striking, Aquatics. Two further discretionary activities - Dance (level 1), Gymnastics (level 2)

Duration/Time

This syllabus is developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week.

Teachers

Qualified, specialist teachers of physical education should be responsible for the development of the physical education course at junior cycle.

Facilities

The teaching/learning associated with junior cycle physical education will require that access be available to a variety of facilities on a regular basis. Ideally, facilities for the implementation of the physical education syllabus should include some, or all, of the following

• suitable indoor space - sports hall with changing and shower areas
• suitable outdoor space - grass pitch and hard-court areas large enough to work efficiently and in safety
• access to swimming pool
• access to areas suitable for the teaching of adventure activities
• access to classrooms, audio-visual and ICT equipment as required.