Changes to the Guide to NEA for AS and A Level Physical Education (H155, H555)

We have updated our Guide to Non-exam Assessment (NEA) to reflect changes that apply from now (September 2021) for first assessment 2022. The changes are summarised below:

Updates to the EAPI task (Component 05 AS Level and Component 06 A Level)

In response to feedback, we have updated the Evaluation and Analysing Performance for Improvement (EAPI) task for AS and A Level Physical Education. These changes apply from now, for first assessment summer 2022. Given the impact of the pandemic on teaching and learning, we felt it was important to implement these changes now as they are designed to support you and your students. 

• We have revised the Assessment Grid to make it easier for teachers to use by better reflecting the core aspects of the tasks. An updated A3 version is also available to download from the Assessment section of the qualification page.
• We have removed the need to cover the ‘focus of sessions’, ‘adaptations’ and ‘measuring improvement’ – some or all may still be included in action/development plans, but it is no longer necessary to cover them as separate items. 
• We have provided more detail on the requirements for ‘justification’ and ‘timescales’ and removed duplication, as these were previously referred to more than once within the criteria and guidance for the tasks. 
• We have clarified the requirements for the application of theory. We have produced a list of prescribed specification content areas from which the theory must be drawn. This is now available as an appendix in the updated Guide to NEA on the qualifications page.
• We have produced a Candidate Notes Sheet which can be used while observing the unseen performance candidates are evaluating. This provides candidates with some structure upon which they can base their response. Sheets used by the candidate must be submitted to the moderator for those sampled along with the film. Candidates can continue to use blank paper instead of the Candidate Notes Sheet if they prefer (but centres may not provide their own templates for this purpose). You can download the Candidate Notes Sheet from the Assessment section of the qualification page.
• We have introduced a maximum time for responses of 20 minutes for AS Level and 30 minutes for A Level. This encourages candidates to be focussed and concise in their responses. When we reviewed previous series, we identified candidates were spending a lot of time repeating points or struggling to bring in lots of different theory which often wasn’t applied. We feel that, for the EAPI assessment to be a positive experience for students, they should not be required to talk for more than 30 minutes. The changes to the task we have detailed above, and the provision of the Candidates Notes Sheet, support the task being completed within these times. 

Filming EAPIs for moderation

We have also made some changes to the number of EAPI tasks that must be filmed because the number moderators sample may increase slightly in some instances. You should send all your filmed EAPIs to your moderator.  

Updates to practical activities 

We have amended our triathlon tables based on feedback.

We have also made changes based on the most recent guidance from national governing bodies in the following:

• Updated terminology linked to some skills in canoeing, kayaking and goalball
• Updated the link to Football Association guidance following changes to rules on heading in football
• Provided a full list of current Royal Yachting Association classifications for sailing and windsurfing 
• Updated the link to classification information for wheelchair rugby

Splitting of the NEA components

Please remember we have also split the NEA components. This was originally for first assessment summer 2021 but due to the cancellation of the assessments will now apply for the first time in summer 2022. You can read the full update on our website.

Supporting you

You can view our Updates to support you and your students document which also provides a summary of the changes above.

We have introduced a free new online training resource, developed to support teachers with their internal assessment of both non-exam assessment components. The resource includes practical exemplar material. Visit our website for more details.

On 7 October 2021, we also have a CPD event – ‘Understanding the NEA: Feedback on the NEA for AS/A Level Physical Education H155, H555 (Webinar)’. You can book your place now.

If you would like more information, please contact the PE Subject Advisor team at pe@ocr.org.uk or call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998.

Qualification

• Physical Education - H155, H555 (from 2016)