Author Topic: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications  (Read 4618 times)

sarahneal

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AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« on: September 29, 2020, 08:40:25 am »
Hello
Just asking for advice.  My daughter has just started GCSE PE and was planning to do  skating as her main sport.  She's level 2 field moves, and mostly does synchro, but was thinking of doing figure skating as the COVID uncertainty makes synchro a bit of a high risk choice.  However, AQA have just released criteria for assessment and they seem insanely harsh compared to other sports.  The core skills / techniques  include double salchow, double toeloop and combination spins.  Full list here:
Skating skills: edges and control, stroking, crossovers in all directions, transitions from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.
Steps (minimum of 3) step sequences covering the full ice surface: toe steps, crossrolls, mohawks, choctaws.
Turns (minimum of 3): three turns, brackets, rockers, counters, twizzles, loops.
Combination spin: change of foot and a minimum of eight revolutions or six revolutions without a change of foot.
Jumps (minimum of 3): axel, double salchow, double toe loop, double loop, double flip, double lutz or others.
Moves in the field (minimum of 3): spirals, tea-pots, hydro glides, ina bauers, spread eagles, split jumps, drags.

These are so much more difficult than the moves required for her other sports.  A quick look suggests you would have to be at NISA level 6 free skate to be able to demonstrate the minimum, which seems ridiculous.  She could fulfil the criteria for synchro but all competitions are cancelled for 2021 so not sure how she would demonstrate it?  Is any one else considering skatinfg for GCSE PE?  Other board still seem quite tough for skating in comparison with other sports but the jumps are single and you can do an upright spin, which seems reasonable.

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2020, 09:23:06 am »
When I did GCSEs the teachers were quite picky about which examination board they used for each subject, (some were better than others) as a result I have certs from many different ones.

Is it possible to be tested by a different board? Either by negotiation with the school, or private; https://www.ocr.org.uk/students/private-candidates/

Example; OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
https://www.ocr.org.uk/blog/pe-and-sport-practical-assessments-additional-activities-on-the-dfe-approved-list/
Section: Update to OCR Guides to NEA
GCSE PDF, pages 28 & 29.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2020, 09:27:18 am by black »
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.

sarahneal

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2020, 09:27:38 am »
Hi. Thanks for your reply.  No unfortunately the school wouldn't allow a different board as there is a large theoretical component which would be different.

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2020, 10:30:37 am »
For other people's benefit, since I think 1st time forum users cannot post links;
This is what I think sarahneal was talking about;

https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-8582-SP-2016.PDF
Version 1.3 18 September 2020
Page 100

You might want to check with the board; for single skating ISU Intermediate Novice = No triple and quadruple jumps allowed. The AQA wording could be interpreted as up to double rotation; also you should clarify what "or others." means.

Also for reducing the risk of 8-20 skaters (plus alternates) for synchronized, the requirements for pairs/dance (+1 skater = less risk) do not require double jumps.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2020, 10:32:55 am by black »
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.

sarahneal

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2020, 06:09:21 pm »
Thanks - yes we will try to clarify.  The criteria are so much harsher than all four other boards, which only require single jumps and upright (or non-specified) spins.

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2020, 07:11:55 pm »
Did a bit extra digging today; this NEA (non-exam assessment) is interesting; for others, as part of exam credit, practical sport is graded.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/914514/GCSE_PE_activity_list_revised_2019.pdf

Page 4 Team; Ice Hockey, & Figure Skating
Page 6 Individual; Figure Skating

Page 7 "Some activities are so specialist or niche that specific expertise in that activity is required for valid and reliable assessment; these type of activities are not included the list."
Ask your GCSE PE teacher what figure skating elements they know ;-)

Page 7 "In addition to the considerations above, all activities on the list must be sports recognised by Sport England."
https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/national-governing-bodies?section=the_recognition_process#the_recognition_process
Scoll down to the alphabet and click on I.
Ice Hockey -> http://www.eiha.co.uk/ & http://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/
British Ice Skating -> http://www.iceskating.org.uk/

Note; no mention of speed skating (short/long), sled hockey, inclusive skating, or curling.


UK PE GCSE exam boards;

Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) -> https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physical-education/gcse/physical-education-8582
   https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/pe/specifications/AQA-8582-SP-2016.PDF   (page 100)
Council for Curriculum and Examinations Assessment (CCEA) -> https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-physical-education-2017
   Unsure?
Pearson Edexcel -> https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/subjects/physical-education-and-sport.html
   https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Physical%20Education/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/9781446933794-gcse016-l2-pe-ppac.pdf   Individual = page 262 (268), & Team = page 59 (65)
Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Exams (OCR) -> https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/physical-education-j587-from-2016/
   https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/234827-guide-to-non-exam-assessment-gcse.pdf   (page 28)
Welsh Joint Examinations Committee (WJEC) -> https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/physical-education-gcse/
   https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/0p0o3nqu/wjec-gcse-physical-education-spec-from-2016-e.pdf   (page 34; not included; only Ice Hockey)
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) -> https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45741.html
   Some mentions of Ice Hockey, & Curling assessments, unsure.


It seems like there is an opportunity for partnerships & sports promotion here.
BIS/NISA/hockey should contact these exam boards and offer to help set a standard, also they could offer licensed coaches/judges/referees to help with the grading.
Get the local clubs and/or sports ambassadors to give a presentation in schools, raise awareness & the potential of the sport.
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.

sarahneal

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2020, 11:36:45 am »
Hi
Thanks for this.  Apparently from what we've heard NISA have been involved - which makes it so strange that the criteria vary so markedly from one board to the next.  Single jumps would seem reasonable for a recreational skater - double jumps cut the numbers down hugely to those who are pretty advanced (and unlikely to have the time to do the two other sports required for PE GCSE).  We've sent and email to NISA but doubt we are going to be able to have much impact.

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2020, 02:37:01 pm »
Another avenue to consider is the exam regulator; example, for England:

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual/about#responsibilities

I'm guessing having different grading levels on different exam boards is in their remit to address.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
Scroll down to section: Contact Ofqual


In terms of grading, it's interesting since you don't want to create barriers to participation, since this is done outside of school. (More money = more training/coaching time = higher score)

The only school I know of in the UK that has ice sports built-in is this hockey school in Swindon -> https://www.hockeyschools.co.uk/academy-2/benefits-and-overview/

As you mentioned they need to look at what a 15/16 year old could realistically achieve, and possibly apply https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_grading
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2020, 05:21:05 pm »
To add to the above list, details for the CCEA exam board:
https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/Support/General/2020/Component%203%3A%20Teachers%20Guide%20to%20Individual%20Performance%20in%20Physical%20Activities%20and%20Sports.pdf
Page 3 (5) - Ice Hockey & Ice Skating

Page 55 (57) Ice Hockey
Page 57 (59) Ice Skating - (solo, dance, pairs, speed skating) single jumps mentioned.


Anything new is always going to have teething/calibration issues to start with.
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.

VisuallyImpairedOnIce

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2020, 06:02:45 pm »
Note; no mention of speed skating (short/long), sled hockey, inclusive skating, or curling


Honestly doesn't surprise me. Skating is niche and these are niches within a niche. I do wonder what the exam boards would say if someone with a disability wanted to study the subject and use skating as their sport, though.
Inclusive Skater :)
IS Masters FD World Champion 2021 🥇
IS Pairs Level 2 World Champion 2021 🥇
IS Free Skate Level 3 Bronze Medalist 2021 🥉

black

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Re: AQA GCSE figure skating specifications
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2020, 08:36:20 pm »
I do wonder what the exam boards would say if someone with a disability wanted to study the subject


That's an interesting point; I wonder if there's a pathway whereby one could become a coach, if in a wheelchair?

Example, Franz Stampfl continued to coach from a wheelchair
"As long as I have my voice," he said at the time, "I can coach."
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/may/30/forgotten-story-franz-stampfl-roger-bannister
The greatest trick figure skaters ever pulled, was convincing the world it was easy.



 

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