Activities criteria

Students must be assessed using the specified criteria for each activity and the levels of response mark schemes provided for each activity.

Schools and colleges are reminded that students should adhere to the rules appropriate to the activities undertaken and be actively encouraged to take ownership of appropriate risk management strategies to reduce the chances of injury to themselves and/or others.

The effectiveness of communication in team activities will inevitably contribute to the success or failure of the overall performance. As a result, the effectiveness of this skill will be encapsulated in the outcome of the performance as a whole.

Amateur boxing

Jabs.
Hooks – left and right.
Uppercut.
Straight – left and right.
Ring work/evasion skills, including defensive guard.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive boxing bout 3 x 2 minute rounds, 4 x 2 minute rounds or 3 x 3 minute rounds (males only), demonstrating the appropriate skills against a suitably challenging opponent.

All boxers need to follow the appropriate medical and safety guidelines, as required by England Boxing. An appropriately qualified adult must supervise the bout.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of the opponent. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the bout. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in the bout. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of their opponent. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting their opponent, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of their opponent, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the bout. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in the bout. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of their opponent, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting their opponent but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of their opponent. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the bout. There may be significant lapses. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the bout but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of their opponent. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting their opponent, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of their opponent. The student’s contribution is evident within the bout but only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in the bout but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of their opponent. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits their opponent and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of their opponent. The student's contribution is evident within the bout but is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in the bout. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of their opponent. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting their opponent and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Association football

Students cannot be assessed in five-a-side football or futsal.

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Passing/receiving – either foot. Dribbling/moving with the ball – either foot. Shooting – at goal OR wing play and crossing for attackers OR playing a through ball to attackers. Heading. Tackling, jockeying, closing down and marking.	Receiving and distributing – either foot/hand. Kicking – from hand and dead ball. Shot stopping. Taking ball at opponent's feet. Taking crosses and punching.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive association football match (11 versus 11), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Athletics

Track and cross-country	Jumps	Throws
Starts/finishes. Arm action – effectiveness and consistency. Leg action to create appropriate pace – consistency and/or change of pace.	Run-up/speed. Take-off. Flight and landing.	Grip, stance and preparation to throw. Movement into throwing action. Release, follow-through and recovery.

Students should be assessed in two separate athletic events. These could be from two different groups from the table below, for example a sprint and a jump, or two from the same group, for example shot put and discus.

Group 1 – track (sprint)	Group 2 – track (middle)	Group 3 – track (hurdles)
60 m (indoor)	800 m	80 m hurdles (girls)
100m	1 500 m	100 m hurdles (boys)
200 m	Steeplechase	300 m hurdles (girls)
300 m (girls)		400 m hurdles (boys)
400 m (boys)

Group 4 – track and cross-country (long distance)	Group 5 – jumps	Group 6 – throws
3,000 m	High jump	Shot put
5,000 m	Long jump	Discus
Cross-country (girls) 3.5k–6.5k	Triple jump	Javelin
Cross-country (boys) 5k–6.5k	Pole vault	Hammer

Students cannot be assessed in a relay event.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the skill in isolation but should aim to increase the pressure/intensity and incorporate direct competition in conditioned drills, for example sprint start only in isolation, include the drive phase, incorporate full speed, add some competition out of the blocks or in the long jump take off, start with short run up, longer run up, incorporate speed, add competition. This must not be in a fully competitive athletic competition.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in both chosen events. The student is consistently effective in applying their technique in both events, even when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both chosen events, there are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power when necessary. They have an extremely high level of appropriate fitness for both chosen events and almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is largely maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in both events, but starts to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. The student is effective in applying their technique in both chosen events, although consistency may start to deteriorate when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both events, there are occasional minor errors in technique but the student is largely adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power when necessary. They have a high level of appropriate fitness for both events and regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills and throughout most practices in both events, but starts to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, particularly for one event. The student shows some effectiveness in applying their technique in both chosen events, although consistency may start to deteriorate in one event in particular when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both events, there are minor errors in technique but the student is largely adaptive in one event when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power some of the time. They have developed some appropriate fitness for both events and sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices for both events. The student is occasionally effective in both or either event, but consistency in both events deteriorates when faced with more pressure and direct competition. There may be frequent errors in both events and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg difficulty in increasing pace/intensity/power when necessary. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy in both/ either event.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills in both events and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. The student is generally ineffective in both events and consistency deteriorates when faced with more pressure and direct competition. There are likely to be frequent errors in both events and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg difficulty in increasing pace/intensity/power when necessary. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy in either event.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform both events in a fully competitive meet. This should involve direct objectively measured competitors. The events can be assessed through competitive athletics at school or at club level (or higher). Students should demonstrate their ability in both events against suitably challenging opponents.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully appropriate to maximise their performance in both events, achieving very high results. The student’s contribution during both events is highly effective and suitably sustained throughout both competitions. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in both events. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the demands of both events. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in maximising their performance to excel against other very high ability competitors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to maximise their performance in both events, with only minor lapses. They achieve a high level of results. The student’s contribution in both events is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of both competitions. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in both competitions. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the demands of both events, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often maximising their potential to excel against other high ability competitors.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in one event in particular and they are occasionally not relevant to maximise performance and result. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained in both events. There may be significant lapses. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in both events but it is not always consistent for one event in particular. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of both events. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes maximising their potential, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness in one event. They succeed against good, but not high ability performers.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses in one/both events and inconsistencies in their relevance to maximise performance and result. The student’s contribution is evident within both events but only occasionally effective or significant for both. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses in both events. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the demands of either event. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally maximises potential in either event. They find success difficult against proficient performers.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to maximise potential in either event with limited results. The student's contribution is evident within both events but is seldom effective or significant for either. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in both events. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to meet the demands of either event. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely maximising potential in either event or against even lower level performers.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Badminton

Students can be assessed in singles format or in doubles format. They cannot be assessed in both badminton singles and in badminton doubles.

Service – high, low, flick (forehand or backhand).
Overhead – clear, drop (forehand and backhand where appropriate).
Underarm – clear, drive, drop (forehand and backhand where appropriate).
Net play.
Smash.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining quick and effective footwork. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining effective footwork. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations, occasionally lacking effective footwork. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, often finding footwork difficult. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive game of badminton (singles or doubles), demonstrating the appropriate skills against a suitably challenging opponent(s).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of the opponent(s). The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. They maintain quick and effective footwork. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting their opponent(s), while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of their opponent(s), with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. They maintain effective footwork. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of their opponent(s), though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting their opponent(s) but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game. There may be significant lapses and they occasionally lack effective footwork. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in game play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting their opponent(s), though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is evident within the game but only occasionally effective or significant. They often find footwork difficult. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in game play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits their opponent(s) and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student's contribution is evident within the game but is seldom effective or significant. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in game play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting their opponent(s) and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Basketball

Dribbling – using both hands, change of pace and direction.
Passing – chest, javelin, bounce, overhead, use of the fake.
Receiving/intercepting – making a target (signalling), one/two handed catch, stationary and on the move, differing speeds and heights, rebounding, stealing.
Shooting – lay-up, set shot, jump shot, free shot, use of the fake.
Footwork and marking – stopping (jump stop, stride stop), pivoting, getting free, tracking (drop step).

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive basketball match (5 versus 5), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Camogie

Students being assessed in camogie cannot also be assessed in hurling.

Passing/receiving/hand pass/solo run.
Catching – body catch and high catch.
Striking – ground strike, striking from the hand.
Lifts – roll and jab lift, moving and stationary sliotars.
Challenging attackers/blocking – ground block, hooking, overhead block.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive camogie match (15 versus 15), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Canoeing/kayaking (slalom)

Students cannot be assessed in both canoeing and kayaking. Students being assessed in canoeing/kayaking (slalom) cannot also be assessed in canoeing/kayaking (sprint), rowing or sculling.

Paddling forward and using sweep.
Breaking in and out – using bow rudder and stern rudder (upstream gate).
Ferry glide – forward and reverse spin.
Negotiating and use of currents and water features – stoppers, standing, waves.
Support strokes – high brace and low brace.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with speed and gates, decision making in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle is consistently effective. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with speed and gates, decision making is usually effective in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with speed and gates, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions at slightly slower speeds and on easier gates. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but usually deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with speed and gates, decision making is only occasionally effective. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds and easier gates. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with speed and gates, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown at slow speed and on easier gates. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive slalom run against the clock and on appropriately challenging course. This should be on a slalom course with a minimum of 18 gates (green and red). The difficulty of the course chosen should be appropriate to the level of ability of the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to an appropriate line being chosen. The student’s pace is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the timed run. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even on the most challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of the gates on the course. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in gaining an excellent time, while hardly ever losing control.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to choosing an appropriate line, with only minor lapses. The student’s pace is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the course. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the gates, though there may be some lapses The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often gaining a good time but occasionally losing control.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in the line chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s pace is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the course, with the student losing speed during some turns. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the course but it is not always consistent on the most challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of the gates. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes gaining a good time, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they can lose control.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the course. The student’s pace is inconsistent throughout the run and only occasionally effective on the most challenging turns. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the course but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of the gates. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally gains a good time and frequently loses control.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s pace is generally slow and is seldom effective or significant when turning. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the course. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of the gates. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely gaining a good time and usually loses control.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Canoeing/kayaking (sprint)

Students cannot be assessed in both canoeing and kayaking. Students being assessed in canoeing/kayaking (sprint) cannot also be assessed in canoeing/kayaking (slalom), rowing or sculling.

Starts.
Paddling/strokes – preparatory position, power phase.
Change of pace/rate.
Finishes.
Recovery – refining the stroke, capsize.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with simple drills showing the full technique of the skills but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate pace and direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in a full race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in time with fellow canoeists/kayakers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique (even at pace) and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, resulting in marginal losses in timing with fellow canoeists/kayakers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors in technique (particularly at pace) but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices with obvious loses in timing with fellow canoeists/kayakers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors in technique (particularly at pace) and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices and timing with fellow canoeists/kayakers is regularly lost. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors in technique as pace starts to increase and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills, often deteriorates in the most challenging practices and is seldom in time with fellow canoeists/kayakers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique at all speeds and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive race, demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen race. The standard of the race should be appropriately challenging for the performer. The sprint should be over a distance appropriate to the age of the student.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of opposing boats. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the race, due to a highly developed level of suitable fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills within the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and is usually successful in executing pace/rate changes with their fellow canoeists/kayakers to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of other boats, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race, due to a good level of suitable fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of other boats, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and can be successful in executing pace/rate changes with their fellow canoeists/kayakers to often outwit opponents, only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the race, with the student’s contribution occasionally lacking due to a slight lack of suitable fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the race but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate pace/rate and can sometimes be successful in executing pace/rate changes with their canoeists/kayakers, sometimes outwitting opponents and although there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is evident but only occasionally effective or sustained within the race due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills during the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other boats. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, but only occasionally executes pace/rate changes in time with their fellow canoeists/kayakers, only occasionally outwitting opponents and often being outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of other boats. The student's contribution is limited, seldom effective or sustained during the race with fitness a distinctive weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills during the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, but rarely executes these changes in time with their fellow canoeists/kayakers, seldom outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Cricket

Batting (defensive) – front and back foot.
Batting (attacking) – front and back foot (drive, pull, hook, cut, sweep).
Bowling – medium pace or fast pace or spin (line, length, variation).
Catching in the field (from close, from distance) or catching as wicket keeper (standing up, standing back).
Throwing and ground fielding in the field (from close, from distance) or stumping and recovery work as a wicket keeper.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students can choose to be a fielder or wicket keeper for skills 4 and 5 to suit their preferred position.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive cricket match (11 versus 11), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen positions. Performers must choose two of the following roles for the purposes of assessment:

bat
bowl
field/wicket keep.

The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the role being performed. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game and all of their roles. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their role. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the role being performed, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game and all of their roles. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their role, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the role being performed. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their role. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the role being performed. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their role. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the role being performed. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their role. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Cycling (road)

Students being assessed in road cycling cannot also be assessed in track (indoor/outdoor) cycling or BMX. Time trialling is allowed with staggered starts (5 skills only).

Flat road technique/pace maintenance – in and out of saddle.
Ascending technique.
Descending technique (including braking).
Chain ganging (not appropriate for time trialling).
Cornering.
Sprinting.

All skills/techniques should incorporate the efficient use of gear changes.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the cyclist in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate direct competition in conditioned drills through adding additional riders and increasing the pace. This must not be in a fully competitive race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When cycling with additional riders, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive with their gear changes and chosen lines when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their excellent fitness level.
4	7–8	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive with gear changes when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their good fitness level.
3	5–6	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations with other riders. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy showing some level of fitness.
2	3–4	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy, although their fitness level is not developed enough to maintain performance levels.
1	1–2	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy, as a result of a distinctive lack of fitness.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive cycling race (at least 10 miles), demonstrating the appropriate skills against suitably challenging opponents and on a suitably challenging route/course/stage. The level of challenge should be taken into consideration when awarding marks.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) almost always fully relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the race due to a very high level of strength endurance. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills during the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists and takes into account wind conditions and the terrain effectively. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line and is usually successful in timing pace changes to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) usually relevant to the position of other cyclists, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race due to a good level of strength endurance. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists, though there may be some lapses whilst interpreting wind conditions and the terrain. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line, often timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. They are occasionally outwitted by other riders.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained for the whole race due to a slight lack of strength endurance. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of most skills in race but not always consistently. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with some obvious misinterpretation of wind conditions and the terrain. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, sometimes timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. There may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other riders.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is evident within the race but only occasionally effective or significant due to a lack of strength endurance. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills in the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with definite misinterpretation of wind conditions and the terrain. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, but only occasionally times pace changes to outwit their opponents and is often outwitted by other riders.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) and they are seldom relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student's contribution is evident within the race but is seldom effective or significant. Strength endurance is a distinct weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills in the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of cyclists and they regularly misinterpret wind conditions and terrain. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, rarely timing pace changes to outwit their opponents and usually being outwitted by other riders.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Cycling (track)

Students being assessed in track (indoor/outdoor) cycling cannot also be assessed in road cycling or BMX.

Starts – standing.
Sprint finish.
Track position – use of various coloured lines.
Chain ganging/riding in a group.
Basic riding technique – in and out of the saddle.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When cycling with additional riders, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when choosing their cycling line when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their excellent appropriate fitness level.
4	7–8	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive in choosing their cycling line when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their good fitness level.
3	5–6	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is only sometimes adaptive in choosing their cycling line when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy showing some level of fitness.
2	3–4	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive in a choosing an appropriate cycling line for progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy, although their fitness level is not developed enough to maintain performance levels.
1	1–2	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt and choose an appropriate cycling line for progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy, as a result of a distinctive lack of fitness.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive track (indoor/outdoor) race, demonstrating the appropriate skills against suitably challenging opponents. The level of competition should be taken into consideration when awarding marks.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line) almost always fully relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student performs an excellent standing start and contribution is highly effective in all of the race (including an effective sprint finish) due to a very high level of appropriate fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills during the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line and is usually successful in timing pace changes to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line) usually relevant to the position of other cyclists, with only minor lapses. The student performs an effective standing start and contribution is usually effective in most of the race (including a good sprint finish) due to a good level of appropriate fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line, often timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. They are occasionally outwitted by other riders.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line) but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student performs a standing start and contribution is effective for parts of the race (including attempting a sprint finish) due to some appropriate fitness levels. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of most skills in race but not always consistently. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with some obvious misinterpretation. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, sometimes timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. There may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other riders.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other cyclists. The student’s start is attempted and contribution is evident within the race (including a partially effective sprint finish) but only occasionally effective or significant due to a lack of specific fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills in the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with definite misinterpretation. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, but only occasionally times pace changes to outwit their opponents and is often outwitted by other riders.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line) and they are seldom relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student’s start is often slow and contribution is evident within the race (including a lacklustre attempt to sprint finish) but is seldom effective or significant due to distinct fitness weaknesses. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills in the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of cyclists and they regularly misinterpret how to apply these skills effectively. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, rarely timing pace changes to outwit their opponents and usually being outwitted by other riders.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Dance

Dance can be assessed as a solo performance, a duet performance or a group performance. Students can only be assessed in dance once.

Travel, locomotion, stepping and pathways.
Balance (static and/or dynamic).
Rotation, turning and weight transference.
Jumps and elevations.
Gestures and motifs.

The following dance genres are permitted: ballet, ballroom, contemporary, cultural dance, folk, street and tap. The style of dance chosen for assessment must enable the student to display each of the core skills/techniques specified, and must enable the student to be assessed against the dance descriptors below. If the style of dance does not meet these criteria, then a student cannot be assessed in that style.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices. Progressive practices may start with moves in isolation but should aim to link moves together. Assessment must not be based on fully competitive competition/performance.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves, even when they are linked together. The student performs challenging moves and is consistently effective in their performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining fluency. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most moves but may deteriorate when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform more basic moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic moves but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform basic moves and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking moves together, causing fluency to deteriorate. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic moves but they cannot be linked together. The student has decided to perform very basic moves and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking moves together, maintaining little or no fluency. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform a full routine in a competition/performance. This can be in a solo performance, a duet performance or a group performance and should last at least two minutes. The level of performance should suitably challenge the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to perform technically accurate and expressive movement, almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of performance. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the performance due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of dynamic qualities is highly effective in portraying the artistic intention of the dance. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to perform technically accurate and expressive movement, usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the performance due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the performance, though there may be some lapses. The student’s sensitive demonstration of dynamic qualities is usually effective in portraying the artistic intention of the dance. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others. Occasionally however, they are outperformed.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to perform technically accurate and expressive movement relevant to the demands of an average level of performance, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the performance but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the routine, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of dynamic qualities is sometimes effective in portraying the artistic intention of the dance but this may not be sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to perform technically accurate and expressive movements but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of performance. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the routine, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of dynamic qualities is occasionally effective in portraying the artistic intention of the dance but is inconsistent and not sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to perform technically accurate and expressive movements and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of performance. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the routine. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of dynamic qualities is seldom effective or apparent in portraying the artistic intention of the dance. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Diving

Students can only be assessed in platform diving.

Take-off/elevation – forward and backward (two dives).
Take-off/elevation – (one from) inward/reverse/twisting/handstand.
Execution/body position – (corresponding to the two dives chosen in skill 1) pike/straight/free/tuck/twisting.
Execution/body position – (corresponding to the dive chosen in skill 2) pike/straight/free/tuck/twisting.
Entry position of the three dives.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices. Three dives should be attempted (two from skill 1 and one from skill 2). Progressive practices may start with part of the dive in isolation but should aim to link the component parts (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) of the dive together.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen dives, even when component parts are linked together (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry). The student has decided to perform challenging dives and is consistently effective in their performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking component parts of dives together, maintaining fluency. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen dives but may show signs of deteriorating when linking component parts together (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry). The student has decided to perform challenging dives and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking component parts of dives together, maintaining some fluency. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most dives but may deteriorate when linking component parts together (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry). The student has decided to perform more basic dives and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking component parts of dives together, maintaining some fluency They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic dives but frequently deteriorates when linking component parts together (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry). The student has decided to perform basic dives and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking component parts of dives together, causing fluency to deteriorate. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic dives but they cannot link component parts together (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry). The student has decided to perform very basic dives and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking component parts of dives together, maintaining little or no fluency. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive diving competition, consisting of six different dives. The level of competition should suitably challenge the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty), almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of competition. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the competition due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all parts of the dives (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) during the competition. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the competition. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/ techniques and is usually successful in outperforming other competitors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty), usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the competition due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all parts of the dives (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) during the competition. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the competition, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others. Occasionally however, they are outperformed.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty) relevant to the demands of an average level of competition, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the competition but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most parts of the dives (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) during the competition, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of competition. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of specific fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some parts of the dives (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) during the competition, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of competition. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinctive lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few parts of the dives (approach, take off, elevation, execution and entry) during the competition. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Equestrian

Rider position – head, shoulder, hip, heel, hands (when walking, trotting, cantering).
Transitions – increase and decrease in pace.
Application of aids – maintaining impulsion, correct bend, contact, feel, outline (when walking, trotting, cantering).
Basic school movements – circles, changes of direction, lines (centre, quarter), looping figures (serpentines, figure of 8), awareness of diagonals (trot) and lead leg (canter).
Basic jumping – impulsion, position, balance, rhythm, stride (minimum height of 75 cm).

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices. Progressive practices may start with the moves in isolation but should aim to link them together/increase pace/change direction (as appropriate). This must not be in a fully competitive event. Riding position/technique should be considered when assessing all skills.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of riding position/technique is maintained for all skills, even when they are linked together/applying transitions (as appropriate). The student is consistently effective in their performance of all skills, including jumping over a series of fences. There are very few errors in riding technique and the student is adaptive when linking skills together/applying transitions (as appropriate) maintaining full control. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of riding position/technique is maintained for all skills but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together/applying transitions (as appropriate). The student is usually effective in their performance of all skills, including jumping over a series of fences. There may be occasional minor errors in riding technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking skills together/applying transitions (as appropriate), maintaining some control. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of riding position/technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate when they are linked together/applying transitions (as appropriate). The student has decided to perform skills in a more basic manner and is usually effective in their performance of these. Jumping ability is relatively basic but can be linked over a series of fences. There may be occasional errors in riding technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking skills together/applying transitions (as appropriate), maintaining some control although it is lost on occasions. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of riding technique is maintained for some skills but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together/applying transitions (as appropriate). The student has decided to perform skills in a basic manner and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. They can attempt jumps but are often unsuccessful in linking a series of jumps. There may be frequent errors in riding technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking skills together/applying transitions (as appropriate) causing control to be lost. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of riding technique is evident for a few skills in basic drills, but deteriorates significantly when they are linked together/applying transitions (as appropriate). The student has decided to perform skills in very basic drills and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. They attempt jumps but are usually unsuccessful. There are likely to be frequent errors in riding technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking skills together/changing pace (as appropriate), maintaining little or no control. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive equestrian event. Students can choose to perform in a dressage test, showing class individual, show jumping or working hunter class event. The level of competition should suitably challenge the performer and where possible, the official score sheet should be available.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg pace/control transitions), almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of competition. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the competition due to a highly developed ability to control the horse. The student maintains an excellent riding position/technique, with accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the competition. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the competition. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in achieving very high standards of performance.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg pace/control/transitions), usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the competition due to a good level of ability to control the horse. The student maintains a good riding position/technique, with accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the competition. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the competition, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in achieving a high standard of performance. Occasionally however, they are outperformed.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg pace/control/transitions) relevant to the demands of an average level of competition, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the competition but not always sustained due to a slight lack of ability to control the horse. The student maintains a competent riding position/technique with some accuracy in the performance of most skills during the competition, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg pace/control/transitions) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of competition. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of ability to control the horse. The student shows some competency in their riding position/technique with some accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the competition, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg pace/control/transitions) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of competition. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinctive lack of ability to control the horse. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the competition. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the competition. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Gaelic football

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Passing/receiving – foot/hand pass, chest/overhead catches, one/two handed catches. Kicking – punt, drop, free kick. Moving with the ball/soloing, toe to hand, change of pace, pick up. Shooting – long, short, 45s. Tackling/intercepting – challenging, blocking.	Distributing/passing – kicking, hand passing, goal kicks. Shot stopping – high and low, long and short distance. Taking crosses – ground and air/punching. Taking the ball at opponent’s feet. Positioning and narrowing the angle.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive Gaelic football match (15 versus 15), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Golf

Tee shots – driver, hybrid and/or long iron.
Longer fairway irons/hybrid equivalent – a range of at least three clubs between 1 iron and 6 iron.
Shorter fairway irons – a range of at least three clubs between 7 iron and sand wedge.
Pitching/chipping around the green.
Bunker play.
Putting – long, medium, short, break.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques/shots in stable and adaptive situations. The demonstration of each core skill may start with the skill in a stable environment, eg driving range and/or practice fairway, putting green, but should progress to show the shots being played on a variety of golf holes (par 3, 4, 5). This must not be in a competitive game.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all shots and throughout all situations (driving range and/or practice fairway, putting green, golf holes). When faced with challenging par 3, 4 or 5 golf holes, decision making is consistently effective and suitable for the challenge of the hole. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging shots to play. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all shots on the driving range/practice fairway but may start to deteriorate on the most challenging golf holes. When faced with challenging par 3, 4 or 5 golf holes, decision making is usually effective for the challenge of the hole. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging shots to play. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most shots on the driving range/practice fairway but may deteriorate on the most challenging golf holes. When faced with challenging par 3, 4 or 5 golf holes, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions on straightforward holes than on holes possessing greater challenge. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging shots to play. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some shots on the driving range/practice fairway but sometimes deteriorates on the most challenging golf holes. When faced with challenging par 3, 4 or 5 golf holes, decision making is only occasionally effective. This tends to occur on the most straightforward holes. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging shots to play. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few shots on the driving range/practice fairway and usually deteriorates further on the golf holes. When faced with challenging par 3, 4 and 5 golf holes, decision making may be ineffective on most holes. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging shots. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive game of golf over a minimum of 9 holes demonstrating the appropriate skills/shots. The chosen course should suitably challenge the player and his/her handicap.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (club selection), almost always fully relevant to the demands of each hole. The student is highly consistent for almost all of the game across the range of stroke indexes/par 3, 4 and 5 golf holes. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during their round of golf. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the demands of each hole. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate shots (shot selection) and is usually successful in meeting the demands of the majority of the course.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (shot selection), usually relevant to the demands of each hole, with only minor lapses. The student is usually consistent for the majority of the game across most of the range of stroke indexes/par 3, 4 and 5 golf holes. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during their round of golf. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of each hole, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate shots and is usually successful in meeting the demands of each hole. Occasionally however, the most challenging holes can cause a problem.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (shot selection) relevant to the demands of each hole, but there may be some obvious weaknesses whereby decisions are not relevant to the hole being played. The student is sometimes consistent during their game but not always across the range of stroke indexes/par 3, 4 and 5 golf holes. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during their round of golf, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of each hole. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate shots and is sometimes effective in meeting the demands of some holes, usually the least demanding. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness, particularly apparent during the most challenging holes.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (shot selection) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of each hole. The student is occasionally consistent, but does not sustain this throughout the range of stroke indexes/par 3, 4 and 5 golf holes. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills during their round of golf, but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the demands of each hole. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to perform appropriate shots for some holes, but only occasionally meets the demands of the more challenging holes.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (shot selection) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of each hole. The student is seldom consistent and most holes/stroke indexes pose a significant challenge. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in during their round of golf. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of each hole. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate shots, but seldom meets the demands any hole.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Gymnastics

Students must be assessed in floor routines and apparatus/specialism only. Students can only be assessed in gymnastics once. Students choosing rhythmic as their specialism cannot also be assessed in dance.

Jumps (choose two) – tucked/piked/straddle/straight/180° turn/others.
Rolls (choose two) – backwards/forwards/others.
Turns/overswings (choose two) – cartwheel/round off/forward or backward walkovers/handspring/back flip/others.
Balances (choose two) – handstand/headstand/arabesque/others.
Specialism (choose one) – beam (routine)/vault (two vaults)/rings (routine)/pommel horse (routine)/bars (routine)/rhythmic (short routine with ball, clubs, hoops, rope or ribbon).

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices. Progressive practices may start with the floor moves in isolation but should aim to link moves together. All floor moves have the option of ‘others’ to allow experienced performers to choose harder tariff moves, eg backwards roll to handstand.

One specialism should also be chosen to perform the following:

beam – short routine, linking moves
vault – two vaults
rings – short routine, linking moves
pommel horse – short routine, linking moves
bars – short routine, linking moves
rhythmic – short routine, linking moves.

This must not be in a fully competitive gymnastics event. The difficulty tariff of moves selected by the student should be considered in assessment.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen floor moves (even when they are linked together) and for both/all specialism attempts. The student has decided to perform challenging floor moves and is consistently effective in their performance of these. Similarly, challenging moves are attempted in this specialism. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking floor moves together, maintaining fluency. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen floor moves but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together. Technique is maintained for all/both specialism attempts. The student has decided to perform challenging floor moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. Similarly, challenging moves are usually effective when attempted in their specialism. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most floor moves but may deteriorate when they are linked together. Technique may be noticeably better on one attempt in specialism more than the other. The student has decided to perform more basic floor moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. Similarly, more basic moves are usually effective when attempted in their specialism. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic floor moves but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together. Technique in specialism is evident for basic attempts. The student has decided to perform basic floor moves and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. Similarly, basic moves are occasionally effective when attempted in their specialism. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking moves together, causing fluency to deteriorate. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic moves on the floor and specialism but they cannot be linked together on the floor. The student has decided to perform very basic floor moves and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. Similarly, very basic moves are chosen and hardly ever effective when attempted in this specialism. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking moves together, maintaining little or no fluency. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive gymnastics event. Students can choose to perform in a floor (artistic or rhythmic) or apparatus competition demonstrating the appropriate skills. A rhythmic routine can make use of a ball, clubs, hoops, rope or ribbon. The level of competition should suitably challenge the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography), almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of routine/vaults. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the routine/vaults due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine/vaults. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the routine/vaults. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in completing very high tariff moves/vaults.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography), usually relevant to the demands of a high level routine/vaults. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the routine/vaults due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the competition. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the routine/vaults, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in completing a high tariff routine/vaults. Occasionally however, there may be errors.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) relevant to the demands of an average level of a routine/vaults, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the routine/vaults but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the routine/vaults, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the routine/vault. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in an average tariff routine/vaults. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of routine/vaults. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the routine/vaults, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the routine/vaults. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in a routine/vaults. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level routine/vaults. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the routine/vaults. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the routine/vault. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom performs them in a routine/vaults.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Handball

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Passing – shoulder, side wrist, bounce, feint (stationary and on the move). Receiving – making a target (signalling), one/two handed catch – stationary and on the move, intercepting. Shooting – standing, jump,hip. Moving with the ball – dribbling/dodging. Jockeying/marking/blocking/tackling.	Positioning and narrowing the angle, anticipating. Catching the ball at a variety of heights. Blocking. Avoiding rebounds/keeping/holding/possession of the ball. Passing/throwing, directing, starting attacks.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive handball match (7 versus 7), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Hockey

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Dribbling/moving with the ball – open and reverse stick, change of pace, dodging. Passing – push, hit, slap. Shooting – placement and power. Receiving – stationary, on the move, open and reverse stick. Marking/intercepting/tackling/jockeying – open and reverse stick tackles, jab tackle.	Distributing/passing – kicking. Shot stopping – use of pads/feet, stick, shots from open play and short corners. Taking crosses. Taking the ball from an attacking player – diving, spreading body in front of attacker. Positioning and narrowing the angle.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive hockey match (11 versus 11), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Hurling

Students being assessed in hurling cannot also be assessed in camogie.

Passing/receiving/hand pass/solo run.
Catching – body catch and high catch.
Striking – ground strike, striking from the hand.
Lifts – roll and jab lift, moving and stationary sliotars.
Challenging attackers/blocking – ground block, hooking, overhead block.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive hurling match (15 versus 15), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Lacrosse

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Running with the ball – grip/holding the stick, cradling, dodging. Passing – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (over arm, underarm) to stationary and moving targets. Receiving/catching – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (towards and across, stationary and on the move), picking up a stationary ball, picking up a ball moving away. Shooting – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (over arm, high, low, long and close range). Tackling/checking/intercepting/marking.	Distributing/clearing. Saving – use of pads, stick and hands in stopping the ball at different heights. Positioning. Spread of body in front of attackers. Narrowing the angle.

Outfield

Goalkeeper

Running with the ball – grip/holding the stick, cradling, dodging.
Passing – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (over arm, underarm) to stationary and moving targets.
Receiving/catching – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (towards and across, stationary and on the move), picking up a stationary ball, picking up a ball moving away.
Shooting – right handed, left handed, reverse stick (over arm, high, low, long and close range).
Tackling/checking/intercepting/marking.

Distributing/clearing.
Saving – use of pads, stick and hands in stopping the ball at different heights.
Positioning.
Spread of body in front of attackers.
Narrowing the angle.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive lacrosse match (10 versus 10), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Netball

Passing and receiving (chest pass, shoulder pass, one/two handed passing).
Dodging – single/double/sprint.
Marking a player.
Shooting (close/distance) or rebounding (attacking or defending) or marking a pass/intercepting (centre court players).
Footwork and movement – landing on one/two feet, pivoting.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students can choose to shoot or rebound or mark a pass/intercept to suit their preferred position.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive netball match (7 versus 7), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Rock climbing

Students can be assessed indoors or outdoors.

It is suggested that students who wish to be assessed in climbing do so over multi-visits to an appropriate climbing wall ie not just one attempt. It is also recommended that students would be following the NICAS or NIBAS Award schemes. A starting point for students on either of these schemes should be assessed by someone who is qualified to make that judgement.

At A-level it is expected that students should be working at level HVS 5A/5B towards E1/5B or equivalent F5+ or F6a French (Sport) 5+/6a. Thus, for GCSE, students should be working towards or at this standard.

It is expected that students would make use of a minimum of 2 different climbs to demonstrate the following:

Rope work: Students, in a top rope capacity, should be able to tie in, belay and lower partners consistently and safely with effective communication. This could begin in a peer belay situation and progress through to students belaying independently although this would be with backup.
Three points of contact: Students should be able to climb a route of their choice showing 3 points of contact between moves. This could progress from a slab to overhanging terrain.
Traversing/climbing: Students should be able to climb a route of their choice demonstrating clear use of weight transfer and climbing techniques associated with this. This could progress from moves on a slab with three points of contact through to students only using two points of contact and effective body positioning to make the movement successful on steeper terrain.
Climbing at limit: Students should be able to demonstrate climbing at their limit using a variety of techniques in a progressive manner to make a successful ascent; this could progress from a rehearsed route through to a student on sighting at their limit.
Climbing overhanging/steep ground: Students should be able to climb successfully on overhanging terrain; this could be progressively overhanging through to very steep.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the skill in isolation but should aim to increase in difficulty by linking skills together and by increasing the difficulty of the route. This must not be in a fully competitive climb.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices, even when they are linked together. When faced with a harder route, decision making in relation to when to perform the skill is consistently effective. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate when they are linked together in the most challenging practices. When faced with a harder route, decision making is usually effective in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate when they are linked together in the most challenging practices. When faced with a harder route, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions on slightly easier routes. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but frequently deteriorate when they are linked together in the most challenging practices. When faced with a harder route, decision making is only occasionally effective. They are significantly more proficient on easier routes. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive with progressively challenging situations. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills but they cannot be linked together in the most challenging practices. When faced with harder routes, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown on easier routes. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt with progressively challenging situations. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform a climb, either in competition or against a suitably challenging environment, demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen route. The difficulty of the climb should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to their position on the wall/rock face. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the climb, due to a highly developed level of suitable fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills within each climb. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position on the wall/rock face. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others/the environment.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to their position on the wall/rock face, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the climb, due to a good level of suitable fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the climb. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position on the wall/rock face, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others/the environment. Occasionally however, they are outperformed.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to their position on the wall/rock face. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the climb, with the student’s contribution occasionally lacking due to a slight lack of suitable fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the climb but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position on the wall/rock face. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others/the environment, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to their position on the wall/rock face. The student’s contribution is evident but only occasionally effective or sustained within the climb due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills during the climb but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position on the wall/rock face. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others/the environment. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to their position on the wall. The student’s contribution is limited, seldom effective or sustained during the climb with fitness a distinctive weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills during the climb. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position on the wall/rock face. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom outperforms anyone/the environment.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Rowing

Students being assessed in rowing cannot also be assessed in canoeing, kayaking or sculling.

Catch.
Drive phase.
Extraction/finish position.
Recovery and preparation for the catch.
Paddling with square blades.
Change of pace/rate.

Students can be assessed in any of the following sized boats:

pairs
fours
eights.

Students cannot be assessed in the role of cox.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with simple drills showing the full technique of the stroke but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate pace and direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in a full race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in time with fellow rowers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique (even at pace) and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, resulting in marginal losses in timing with fellow rowers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors in technique (particularly at pace) but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices with obvious losses in timing with fellow rowers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors in technique (particularly at pace) and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices and timing with fellow rowers is regularly lost. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors in technique as pace starts to increase and the student is only occasionally adaptive with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills, often deteriorates in the most challenging practices and is seldom in time with fellow rowers. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique at all speeds and the student may be unable to adapt with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive race over a distance of 1,000 m or over, demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen race. The standard of the race should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of opposing boats. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the race, due to a highly developed level of suitable fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills within the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and is usually successful in executing pace/rate changes with their fellow rowers to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of other boats, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race, due to a good level of suitable fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of other boats, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and can be successful in executing pace/rate changes with their fellow rowers to often outwit opponents, only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant and it is not entirely sustained throughout the race, with the student’s contribution occasionally lacking due to a slight lack of suitable fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the race but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate pace/rate and can sometimes be successful in executing pace/rate changes with their fellow rowers, sometimes outwitting opponents and although there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is evident but only occasionally effective or sustained within the race due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills during the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other boats. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, but only occasionally executes pace/rate changes in time with their fellow rowers, only occasionally outwitting opponents and often being outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of other boats. The student's contribution is limited, seldom effective or sustained during the race with fitness a distinctive weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills during the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, and rarely executes these changes in time with their fellow rowers, seldom outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Rugby League

Students being assessed in Rugby League cannot also be assessed in Rugby Union. They cannot be assessed in tap/tag rugby.

Handling – holding and protecting the ball, running with the ball to evade the tackler, changing pace and direction (swerve and side-step).
Passing and receiving – long and short, at varying pace, spin, switch and scissors.
Tackling – front, rear, side, smother.
Retaining possession – in the tackle and on the floor.
Kicking (at least two from punt/spiral, grubber, drop kick/re-start, up and under, penalty/conversion) or running direct lines/winning collision point.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive Rugby League match (13 versus 13), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Rugby Union

Students can be assessed in either 15-a-side or 7-a-side (rugby sevens). They cannot be assessed in both.

Students being assessed in Rugby Union cannot also be assessed in Rugby League. They cannot be assessed in tap/tag rugby.

Handling (passing and receiving, long and short, at varying pace, push, spin, switch/scissors).
Tackling (front, rear, side, smother, chop).
Maul (body position, binding, retaining ball).
Ruck (body, position, jackle, sealing off).
Kicking (at least two types from punt/spiral, grubber, drop kick/re start, box kick, up and under, penalty/conversion) or scrummaging (binding, body position, generation of power/hooking, as appropriate to position) or lineout.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students can choose to kick or scrummage to suit their preferred position.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive Rugby Union match (15 versus 15 or 7 versus 7), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Sculling (individual)

Students being assessed in sculling cannot also be assessed in canoeing, kayaking or rowing.

Catch.
Drive phase.
Extraction/finish position.
Recovery and preparation for the catch.
Paddling with square blades.
Change of pace/rate.

Students can only be assessed in a single scull.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with simple drills showing the full technique of the stroke but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate pace and direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in a full race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique (even at pace) and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, resulting in marginal losses in timing. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors in technique (particularly at pace) but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices with obvious losses in timing. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors in technique (particularly at pace) and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices and timing is regularly lost. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors in technique as pace starts to increase and the student is only occasionally adaptive with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills, often deteriorates in the most challenging practices and is seldom in time. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique at all speeds and the student may be unable to adapt with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of opposing boats. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the race, due to a highly developed level of suitable fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills within the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and is usually successful in executing pace/rate changes to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of other boats, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race, due to a good level of suitable fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of other boats, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate and can be successful in executing pace/rate changes to often outwit opponents, only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant and it is not entirely sustained throughout the race, with the student’s contribution occasionally lacking due to a slight lack of suitable fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the race but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate pace/rate and can sometimes be successful in executing pace/rate changes, sometimes outwitting opponents and although there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is evident but only occasionally effective or sustained within the race due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills during the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other boats. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, but only occasionally executes pace/rate changes, only occasionally outwitting opponents and often being outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of other boats. The student's contribution is limited, seldom effective or sustained during the race with fitness a distinctive weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills during the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply pace/rate changes, but rarely executes these changes, seldom outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Skiing

Students being assessed in skiing cannot also be assessed in snowboarding.

Students can be assessed outdoor on snow or indoor on snow. They cannot be assessed on dry ski slopes.

Basic turning – turning both ways using parallel or carved.
Stopping/parallel stop/skid to halt – stopping to the left and right.
Linked turns over distance – whole indoor snow zone run or outdoor run including narrow and wide turns at different angles.
Traversing in both directions – different speeds/angles.
Skiing at speed – slalom through gates/round poles or moguls or tight turns.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Skills 1, 3 and 5 have options to allow the skier to choose what is appropriate to their ability or what is available to them.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle is consistently effective. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making is usually effective in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions at slightly slower speeds and/or on easier gradients. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but usually deteriorates in the most challenging practices/speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making is only occasionally effective. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds/ easier gradients. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and deteriorates in the most challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown at slow speed/easier gradients. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform two timed runs on appropriately challenging slopes against the clock. These can be in an indoor snow zone around 10 poles or cones. Alternatively these could be outdoor around poles or cones or on suitable downhill runs. If outdoor, the colour of the run chosen should be appropriate to the level of ability of the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to an appropriate line being chosen. The student’s pace is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the timed runs. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even on the most challenging parts of the slope. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient of the slope. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in gaining excellent times, while hardly ever losing control.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to choosing an appropriate line, with only minor lapses. The student’s pace is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the runs. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the slope. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the poles/gradient, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often gaining a good time but occasionally losing control.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in the line chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the slope. The student’s pace is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the runs, with the student losing speed during some turns. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the slope but it is not always consistent on the most challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes gaining good times, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they can lose control.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the slope. The student’s pace is inconsistent throughout the runs and only occasionally effective on the most challenging turns. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the slope but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally gains good times and frequently loses control.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the slope. The student's pace is generally slow and is seldom effective or significant when turning. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the slope. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely gaining good times and usually loses control.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Snowboarding

Students being assessed in snowboarding cannot also be assessed in skiing.

Students can be assessed outdoor on snow or indoor on snow. They cannot be assessed on dry ski slopes.

Students cannot be assessed on tricks.

Basic regular turns – on heel edge and toe edge/skid turns/narrow and wide.
Stopping on toe and heel edge.
Linked turns over distance – on a full indoor snow zone run or outdoor slope including fakie/switch turns and/or carved turns with narrow and wide turns.
Traversing at speed – different speeds/gradients.
Snowboarding at speed – through gates/round poles or moguls or tight turns.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Skills 3 and 5 have options to allow the snowboarder to choose what is appropriate to their ability.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle is consistently effective. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making is usually effective in relation to when to perform the skill and at what angle. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the more challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions at slightly slower speeds and/or on easier gradients. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but often deteriorates in the more challenging practices/speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making is only occasionally effective. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds/easier gradients. There are frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed gradient. They only occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and usually deteriorates in the more challenging practices at speed/gradient. When faced with speed and/or harder gradient, decision making is usually ineffective. Any proficiency is shown at slow speed/easier gradients. There are frequent errors and the student is usually unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations/speed/gradient. They very rarely, if at all, produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform two timed runs on an appropriately challenging slope against the clock. These can be in an indoor snow zone around poles (10) or on an outdoor slope. If outdoor, the colour of the run chosen should appropriately challenge the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to an appropriate line being chosen. The student’s pace is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the timed run. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even on the most challenging parts of the slope. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient of the slope. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in gaining an excellent time, while hardly ever losing control.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to choosing an appropriate line, with only minor lapses. The student’s pace is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the run. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the slope. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the poles/gradient, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often gaining a good time but occasionally losing control.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in the line chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the slope. The student’s pace is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the run, with the student losing speed during some turns. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the slope but it is not always consistent on the more challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes gaining a good time, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes lose control.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the slope. The student’s pace is inconsistent throughout the run and only occasionally effective on the most challenging turns. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the slope but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally gains a good time and frequently loses control.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in the line chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the slope. The student's pace is generally slow and is seldom effective or significant when turning. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the slope. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of the poles/gradient. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely gaining a good time and usually loses control.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Squash

Students can be assessed in singles format or in doubles format. They cannot be assessed in both squash singles and in squash doubles.

Service – forehand, backhand, variations.
Drives – forehand and backhand.
Volleys – forehand and backhand.
Boasts – forehand and backhand.
Lobs/drops – forehand and backhand.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining quick and effective footwork. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining effective footwork. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations, occasionally lacking effective footwork. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, often finding footwork difficult. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive game of squash (singles or doubles), demonstrating the appropriate skills against a suitably challenging opponent(s).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of the opponent(s). The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. They maintain quick and effective footwork. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting their opponent(s), while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of their opponent(s), with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. They maintain effective footwork. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of their opponent(s), though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting their opponent(s) but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game. There may be significant lapses and they occasionally lack effective footwork. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in game play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting their opponent(s), though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is evident within the game but only occasionally effective or significant. They often find footwork difficult. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in game play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits their opponent(s) and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student's contribution is evident within the game but is seldom effective or significant. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in game play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting their opponent(s) and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Swimming

Students cannot be assessed in synchronised swimming.

Starts (dive or backstroke start) and finishes.
Arm action.
Leg action.
Turns.
Body position and breathing.

Students should be assessed in two different strokes from the following:

backstroke
breaststroke
butterfly
front crawl.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in both chosen strokes. The student is consistently effective in applying their technique in both strokes, even when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both chosen strokes, there are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power when necessary. They have an extremely high level of appropriate fitness for both chosen strokes and almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is largely maintained for all skills and throughout all practices in both strokes, but starts to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. The student is effective in applying their technique in both chosen strokes, although consistency may start to deteriorate when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both strokes, there are occasional minor errors in technique but the student is largely adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power when necessary. They have a high level of appropriate fitness for both strokes and regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills and throughout most practices in both strokes, but starts to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, particularly for one stroke. The student shows some effectiveness in applying their technique in both chosen strokes, although consistency may start to deteriorate in one stroke in particular when faced with more pressure and direct competition. When performing both strokes, there are minor errors in technique but the student is largely adaptive in one stroke when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg can increase pace/intensity/power some of the time. They have developed some appropriate fitness for both strokes and sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices for both strokes. The student is occasionally effective in both or either stroke, but consistency in both strokes deteriorates when faced with more pressure and direct competition. There may be frequent errors in both strokes and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg difficulty in increasing pace/intensity/power when necessary. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy in both/either stroke(s).
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills in both strokes and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. The student is generally ineffective in both strokes and consistency deteriorates when faced with more pressure and direct competition. There are likely to be frequent errors in both strokes and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations, eg difficulty in increasing pace/intensity/power when necessary. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy in either stroke.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in two fully competitive swimming races/events. The two events chosen must involve two different strokes from the table below.

Front crawl	Breaststroke	Backstroke	Butterfly
50 m	50 m	50 m	50 m
100 m	100 m	100 m	100 m
200 m	200 m	200 m	200 m
400 m
800 m
1500 m

The strokes can be assessed through competitive swimming at school or at club level (or higher). Students should demonstrate their ability in both races/events against suitably challenging opponents.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully appropriate to maximise their performance in both events, achieving very high results. The student’s contribution during both events is highly effective and suitably sustained throughout both competitions. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in both events. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the demands of both events. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in maximising their performance to excel against other very high ability competitors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to maximise their performance in both events, with only minor lapses. They achieve a high level of results. The student’s contribution in both events is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of both competitions. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in both competitions. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the demands of both events, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often maximising their potential to excel against other high ability competitors.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in one event in particular and they are occasionally not relevant to maximise performance and result. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained in both events. There may be significant lapses. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in both events but it is not always consistent for one event in particular. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of both events. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes maximising their potential, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness in one event. They succeed against good, but not high ability performers.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses in one/both events and inconsistencies in their relevance to maximise performance and result. The student’s contribution is evident within both events but only occasionally effective or significant for both. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses in both events. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the demands of either event. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally maximises potential in either event. They find success difficult against proficient performers.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to maximise potential in either event with limited results. The student's contribution is evident within both events but is seldom effective or significant for either. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in both events. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to meet the demands of either event. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely maximising potential in either event or against even lower level performers.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Table tennis

Students can be assessed in singles format or in doubles format. They cannot be assessed in both table tennis singles and in table tennis doubles.

Service – forehand and backhand (with and without spin as appropriate).
Drives – forehand and backhand (with and without topspin as appropriate).
Push – forehand and backhand (with and without backspin as appropriate).
Smash – forehand and backhand (with and without spin as appropriate).
Lob – forehand and backhand (with and without spin as appropriate).

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining quick and effective footwork. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining effective footwork. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations, occasionally lacking effective footwork. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, often finding footwork difficult. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive game of table tennis (singles or doubles), demonstrating the appropriate skills against a suitably challenging opponent(s).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of the opponent(s). The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. They maintain quick and effective footwork. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting their opponent(s), while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of their opponent(s), with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. They maintain effective footwork. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of their opponent(s), though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting their opponent(s) but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game. There may be significant lapses and they occasionally lack effective footwork. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in game play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting their opponent(s), though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is evident within the game but only occasionally effective or significant. They often find footwork difficult. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in game play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits their opponent(s) and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student's contribution is evident within the game but is seldom effective or significant. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in game play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting their opponent(s) and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Tennis

Students can be assessed in singles format or in doubles format. They cannot be assessed in both tennis singles and in tennis doubles.

Service – power, placement and variation (eg slice).
Groundstrokes – forehand, backhand and drop shot.
Volleys – forehand and backhand.
Smash – to show power and/or placement.
Lobs – forehand and backhand.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining quick and effective footwork. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, maintaining effective footwork. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations, occasionally lacking effective footwork. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations, often finding footwork difficult. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive game of tennis (singles or doubles), demonstrating the appropriate skills against a suitably challenging opponent(s).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of the opponent(s). The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. They maintain quick and effective footwork. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting their opponent(s), while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position of their opponent(s), with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. They maintain effective footwork. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in game play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of their opponent(s), though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting their opponent(s) but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game. There may be significant lapses and they occasionally lack effective footwork. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in game play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting their opponent(s), though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of their opponent(s). The student’s contribution is evident within the game but only occasionally effective or significant. They often find footwork difficult. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in game play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits their opponent(s) and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position of their opponent(s). The student's contribution is evident within the game but is seldom effective or significant. Footwork is rather static and ineffective. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in game play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of their opponent(s). The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting their opponent(s) and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Trampolining

Shapes (minimum two) – straight/tuck/pike/straddle/others.
Drops (minimum two) – front/back/seat/others.
Twists (minimum two) – half/full/others.
Twisting/rotation (minimum two) – half twist to or out of front drop/half twist to or out of back drop, seat half twist to feet/seat half twist to seat (swivel hips)/front drop to seat, cat twist/turntable/others.
Advanced rotation (minimum one) – front somersault/back somersault/hands, knees and over/barani/others.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices. Progressive practices may start with the moves in isolation but students should aim to increase height and maintain consistency. All moves have the option of ‘others’ to allow experienced performers to choose harder moves. However, staff should be suitably qualified to supervise the difficulty level of moves chosen. Assessment must not be based on fully competitive competition. The difficulty tariff of moves selected by the candidate should be considered when marking.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves in isolation and at height. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is consistently effective in their performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when adding height, maintaining body shape, control and centred landing. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves in isolation but may show signs of deterioration when performed at height. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when adding height, maintaining some body shape, control and centred landing. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most moves but may deteriorate when performed at height. Technique may be noticeably better in some moves more than the others. The student has decided to perform more basic moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when adding height, maintaining some body shape and control but often moving away from the centre cross. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic moves but frequently deteriorates when performed at height. The student has decided to perform basic moves and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when adding height, causing body shape and control to deteriorate. Landings regularly move away from the centre cross. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic moves but they are not performed at height. The student has decided to perform very basic moves and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when adding height, maintaining little or no body shape or control. Landings are seldom performed on the centre cross. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform a fully competitive 10 bounce routine. Students can choose the content of their routine but it should contain at least one example of each of the core skills. Straight bounces can be used at the beginning of the routine to gain height before the routine starts. The level of competition/tariff difficulty chosen should suitably challenge the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography), almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of competition. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and at consistent height for almost all of the competition due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the competition. The application of skill is fully appropriate to maintain body shape, control and centred landings. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming other competitors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography), usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and at a consistent height for the majority of the competition due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the competition. The application of skill is usually appropriate to maintain body shape, control and centred landings, but there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others. Occasionally however, they are outperformed.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) relevant to the demands of an average level of competition, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective during the competition but not always sustained at height due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the competition, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to maintain body shape, control or centred landings. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of competition. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective, but is not sustained at height due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the competition, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to maintain body shape and control is often lost. Landings tend to cast away from the centre point. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (eg tariff/technical difficulty/choreography) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of competition. The student’s contribution is seldom effective and is not sustained at a suitable height due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the competition. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to maintain body shape or control. Landings frequently cast away from the centre point. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, and seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Volleyball

Service – underarm and overarm.
Dig – one arm/two arm (receiving serve and from team mates).
Volley – set, straight, sideways, overhead.
Smash/spike.
Block – single and double.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive volleyball match (minimum 4 a-side), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position . The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Acrobatic gymnastics

Students can be assessed as a pair or group.

Unassisted moves – two static balances.
Unassisted moves – two dynamic movements, eg leaps, jumps, twists, tumbles.
Assisted moves – two static balances (can be towers/pyramids) to show appropriate dismount/support/catch.
Assisted moves – two dynamic moves (can be flips, twists) to show flight and appropriate dismount/support/catch.
Artistry – linking skills to show partnership, expression, creativity and musicality.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressing practices. Progressive practices may start with the skill in isolation but should aim to increase further difficulty and challenge either through linking skills before and after the focus skill or by increasing the difficulty.

Skills cannot be shown in a fully competitive event for part 1. Skills can be performed as a pair or as a group.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen skills even when they are linked together or performed with high difficulty. The student has decided to perform high difficulty moves and is very effective in their technical performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining fluency. They almost always work with a very high level of artistry with their partner/group. They manage to produce the intended results with accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen skills, but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together or performed with a higher difficulty tariff. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They regularly show artistry with their partner/group but one aspect, eg creativity, may show minor lapses. They regularly produce the intended results with accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate when they are linked together or performed at a higher difficulty tariff. Technique may be noticeably better in lower tariff moves than when challenged further. The student has decided to perform some basic skills and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They sometimes show artistry with their partner/group but there are obvious weaknesses. They sometimes produce the intended results with accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic skills but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together or challenged further. The student has decided to perform basic skills and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking moves together, causing fluency to deteriorate. They only occasionally show artistry with a partner/group. They occasionally produce the intended results with accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic skills but they cannot be linked together or challenged further with any success. The student has decided to perform very basic skills and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking moves together, maintaining little or no fluency. There is a low level of artistry with a partner/group. They may not produce the intended results with accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform a single routine in a fully competitive acrobatic gymnastics competition appropriate to the level of ability of the performer.

This can be in a pair, or in a group. The routine can be a balance, dynamic or combined routine. All routines should have a maximum duration of 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Schools and colleges should include details of each student's routine with their evidence, including a tariff sheet.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (choice of tariff difficulty). The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the routine due to a highly developed and specific level of specific fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique for all skills when completing moves of a high difficulty level. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the high demands of the routine and is executed well with a very high level of artistry. The student demonstrates a very high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in completing a routine with very high levels of artistry.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (choice of tariff difficulty). The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the routine due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains a good level of technique for all skills when completing moves of a high difficulty level, though there may be some lapses. The application of skill is appropriate to the high demands of the routine although there are occasional errors. The routine is executed well with a high level of artistry. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in completing a routine with high levels of artistry.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (choice of tariff difficulty). The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the routine but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the routine, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the routine. The routine shows some artistry although the synchronisation is often lost. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in moves of a lower tariff to those shown by students in levels 4 and 5. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness in artistry.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (choice of tariff difficulty), but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an inter-class (GCSE) competition. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of specific fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the routine, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the routine, or is appropriate but to a low tariff difficulty. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in a routine, showing major inconsistencies in artistry. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness in their artistry.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (choice of tariff difficulty) and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a regular 15/16 year old competitor in this activity. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the routine. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the routine and artistry is distinctly lacking. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques, but seldom performs them with artistry or any defined relationship with a partner/group.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Cycling (BMX)

Students being assessed in BMX cannot also be assessed in track or road cycling.

Starts/finishes.
Manuals – singles, multiples.
Pumping.
Cornering – low to high, high to low, block.
Jumping – singles, doubles.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the cyclist in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate challenge through additional riders and increasing the pace. This must not be in a fully competitive race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When cycling with additional riders, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive with their gear changes and chosen lines when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their excellent fitness level.
4	7–8	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive with gear changes when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy as a result of their good fitness level.
3	5–6	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations with other riders. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy showing some level of fitness.
2	3–4	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy, although their fitness level is not developed enough to maintain performance levels.
1	1–2	The quality of cycling technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with additional riders, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy, as a result of a distinctive lack of fitness.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive BMX race (this should not be an individual time trial) demonstrating the skills appropriate. The standard of the race should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) almost always fully relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost the entire race due to a very high level of strength endurance. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills during the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists and takes into account the terrain effectively. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line and is usually successful in timing pace changes to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) usually relevant to the position of other cyclists, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race due to a good level of strength endurance. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the positioning of other cyclists, though there may be some lapses whilst interpreting the terrain. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate cycling line, often timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. They are occasionally outwitted by other riders.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained for the whole race due to a slight lack of strength endurance. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of most skills in the race but not always consistently. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with some obvious misinterpretation of the terrain. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, sometimes timing pace changes to outwit their opponents. There may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other riders.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other cyclists. The student’s contribution is evident within the race but only occasionally effective or significant due to a lack of strength endurance. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills in the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other cyclists, with definite misinterpretation of the terrain. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, but only occasionally times pace changes to outwit their opponents and is often outwitted by other riders.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions (changes of pace/line/gear changes) and they are seldom relevant to the position of other cyclists. The student's contribution is evident within the race but is seldom effective or significant. Strength endurance is a distinct weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills in the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of other cyclists and they regularly misinterpret the terrain. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply an appropriate cycling line, rarely timing pace changes to outwit their opponents and usually being outwitted by other riders.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Figure skating (individual)

Students can only be assessed in figure skating once. Students being assessed in singles skating cannot also be assessed in pairs skating, ice dance or synchronised skating.

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.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the skater in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate challenge through more challenging drills which link different aspects. This must not be in a fully competitive figure skating routine.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves, even when they are linked together. The student performs challenging moves and is consistently effective in their performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining fluency. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most moves but may deteriorate when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform more basic moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking moves together, maintaining some fluency. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic moves but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform basic moves and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking moves together, causing fluency to deteriorate. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic moves but they cannot be linked together. The student has decided to perform very basic moves and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking moves together, maintaining little or no fluency. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive skating routine demonstrating the appropriate skills. The standard of the routine should be appropriately challenging for the performer. The routine should be well-balanced and last a minimum of 1 ½ minutes but no more than the stated maximum length for the level of competition (refer to British Ice Skating technical requirements for national singles competitions).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to perform a technically accurate and artistic routine, almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of performance. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the performance due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is highly effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/ techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others, due to consistent and favourable judgements regarding the grade of execution of elements of their performance.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to perform a technically accurate and artistic routine, usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the performance due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the performance, though there may be some lapses. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is usually effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques and is usually successful in outperforming others. Occasionally however, the judge’s grade of execution reflects some flaws in elements of their programme.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine relevant to the demands of an average level of performance, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the performance but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the routine, but they are not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is sometimes effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine but this may not be sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness (as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks) and they are often outperformed.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of performance. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the routine, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is occasionally effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine but is inconsistent and not sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness (as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks) and they are usually outperformed.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of performance. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques during the routine. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is seldom effective or apparent in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques (as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks), but seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Figure skating (team)

Pairs skating

Skating skills: edges and control, stroking, crossovers in all directions, transitions from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.
Steps (minimum of 3): a step sequence of any pattern covering the full ice surface: toe steps, crossrolls, mohawks, choctaws.
Turns (minimum of 3): three turns, brackets, rockers, counters, twizzles in or out of hold showing good unison.
Pair spin/side by side spin: one solo spin in one position or one pair spin.
1. Solo spin: with a change of foot (minimum of eight revolutions) or without a change of foot (minimum of five revolutions)
2. Pair spin: with a minimum of five revolutions.
Side by side jump showing unison (minimum of 3): salchow, toe loop, loop, flip, lutz or others.
Pair lift: armpit or waist hold with at least one full rotation.

Ice dance

Skating skills : edges and control, stroking, crossovers in all directions, transitions from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.
Steps in unison (minimum of 3): a step sequence of any pattern covering the full ice surface: toe steps, crossrolls, mohawks, choctaws.
Turns in unison (minimum of 3): three turns, brackets, rockers, counters, twizzles showing a variety of holds.
Dance spins: at least two rotations each in a minimum of two different positions (upright, sit, camel).
Twizzles in unison: minimum of one revolution clockwise and one revolution anti-clockwise.
Dance lift: one held dance lift (minimum of 3 seconds and maximum of 7 seconds) with or without rotation.

Synchronised skating

Circle shape (at least four skaters).
Line: linear, parallel or diagonal element.
Block: pivoting or linear element.
Wheel: rotating element.
Intersection: to include preparation, approach, point of intersection and exit.
Free skating moves (any 2): spirals, spread eagles, ina bauers or others.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills should aim to increase pressure and incorporate challenge through more challenging drills which link different aspects. This must not be in a fully competitive figure skating, ice dance or synchronised routine.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves, even when they are linked together. The student performs challenging moves and is consistently effective in their performance of these. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when linking moves together with their partner/group, maintaining fluency. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy in unison.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all chosen moves but may show signs of deteriorating when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform challenging moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional minor errors in technique but the student is usually adaptive when linking moves together with their partner/group, maintaining some fluency. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy in unison.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most moves but may deteriorate when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform more basic moves and is usually effective in their performance of these. There may be occasional errors in technique and the student is sometimes adaptive when linking moves together with their partner/group, maintaining some fluency. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy in unison.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some basic moves but frequently deteriorates when they are linked together. The student has decided to perform basic moves and is occasionally effective in their performance of these. There may be frequent errors in technique and the student is only occasionally adaptive when linking moves together with their partner/group, causing fluency to deteriorate. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy in unison.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is evident for a few basic moves but they cannot be linked together. The student has decided to perform very basic moves and is hardly ever effective in their performance of these. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique and the student may be unable to adapt when linking moves together with their partner/group, maintaining little or no fluency. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy in unison.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive skating/dance/synchronised routine demonstrating the appropriate skills. The standard of the routine should be appropriately challenging for the performer. The routine should be well-balanced and last a minimum of 1.5 minutes but no more than the stated maximum length for the level of competition (refer to British Ice Skating technical requirements for national singles competitions).

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to perform a technically accurate and artistic routine, almost always fully relevant to the demands of a very high level of performance. The student’s contribution is highly effective, sustained and consistent for almost all of the performance due to a highly developed and specific level of fitness. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine with their partner/group. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the very high demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is highly effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to perform the most appropriate skills/ techniques in unison and is usually successful in outperforming others, due to consistent and favourable judgements regarding the grade of execution of elements of their performance.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to perform a technically accurate and artistic routine, usually relevant to the demands of a high level of competition. The student’s contribution is usually effective, sustained and consistent for the majority of the performance due to a good level of specific fitness. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills during the routine with their partner/group. The application of skill is appropriate to the demands of the performance, though there may be some lapses. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is usually effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates an ability to perform the most appropriate skills/techniques in unison and is usually successful in outperforming others. Occasionally however, the judge’s grade of execution reflects some flaws in elements of their programme.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine relevant to the demands of an average level of performance, but there may be some obvious weaknesses. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and consistent during the performance but not always sustained due to a slight lack of specific fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills during the routine, but they are not always consistent with their partner/ group. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is sometimes effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine but this may not be sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates an ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques in unison and is sometimes effective in outperforming others, although only low level performers. However, there may be some obvious areas of weakness as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of an average to low level of performance. The student’s contribution is occasionally effective and consistent, but is not sustained due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills/techniques during the routine with their partner/ group, but they are seldom consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is occasionally effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine but is inconsistent and not sustained throughout the performance. The student demonstrates a limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques in unison and is seldom effective in outperforming others. There are likely to be some obvious areas of weakness, as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to perform a technically accurate and expressive routine and they are seldom relevant to the demands of a relatively low level of performance. The student’s contribution is seldom effective or consistent and is not sustained due to a distinct lack of specific fitness. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills/techniques with their partner/group during the routine. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the demands of the performance. The student’s sensitive demonstration of artistic qualities is seldom in unison or effective in portraying the artistic intention of the routine. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to perform appropriate skills/techniques (as reflected in the judge’s grade of execution marks), but seldom outperforms anyone of any standard.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Futsal

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Receiving the ball/‘touch’ – either foot. Passing – either foot. Dribbling/moving with the ball – either foot (including fakes and feints). Tackling/closing down. Shooting.	Distribution from feet. Distribution from hands. Shot stopping. Split save. K Position block.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with skills in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate challenge and direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in a full (5 versus 5) futsal game.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive futsal match (5 versus 5), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play, but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Ice hockey

Outfield	Goaltender
Skating skills: (no puck) forwards and backwards. Moving at speed, turning and pivoting, ability to stop and start quickly. Passing and receiving: forehand and backhand with variety. Moving with the puck: stickhandling skills. Shooting: slap, wrist, snap and backhand. Checking: stick, body.	Skating skills: short and quick. Passing (forehand/backhand). Shot stopping: short range including wraparound save Shot stopping: long range Movement: around the goal area to follow play

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition; decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive ice hockey match (6 versus 6), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Inline roller hockey

Outfield	Goaltender
1. Skating skills: (no puck) forwards, backwards, transitions and turns/mohawk. Passing and receiving: forehand, backhand, sweep. Puck control: skating at pace, changing pace and direction/turning. Shooting (variety of shots): slap, wrist, flip/shovel). Checking: poke check, stick check, sweep check.	Skating skills: short and quick. Passing (forehand/backhand). Shot stopping: short range including wraparound save Shot stopping: long range Movement: around the goal area to follow play

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with the skills in isolation but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate challenge and direct competition in conditioned drills.

This must not be in an inline roller hockey match (5 versus 5).

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Student should perform in a fully competitive inline roller hockey match (5 versus 5) demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Sailing (individual)

Students are assessed in the role of helm. Students should be using a sailing boat class recognised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). It is recommended that students would be following the RYA National Sailing Scheme.

Tacking (transition)
Gybing (transition)
Upwind and downwind technique (showing application of trim, balance, course made good (CMG), sail setting and centreboard, if applicable)
Mark rounding (showing application of trim, balance, CMG, sail setting and centreboard, if applicable)
Boat speed and control

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive practices and application. Progressive exercises may start with the skill in isolation but should aim to increase speed and incorporate further difficulty and challenge.

This must not be in a fully competitive sailing event.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making on when to perform a skill is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making on when to perform a skill that is correct for the heading is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in more predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but usually deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with more pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds and reduced pressure. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with pressure and challenging conditions, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown in easy conditions. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive sailing event, demonstrating the appropriate skills against suitably challenging opponents, at a suitably challenging event. The level of event challenge (club, regional or national) should be taken into consideration when awarding marks, and be appropriate to the competency and ability of the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully effective and appropriate to maximising their performance in competition. The student’s sailing ability is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost the entire event. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even in the most challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of others on the course. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful with maintaining an excellent position on the course, while hardly ever being outwitted by other sailors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to, and maximising, their performance in competition with only minor lapses. The student’s sailing ability is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the competition. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the course, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often maintaining a good position on the course but occasionally outwitted by other sailors.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in headings chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s sailing ability is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the course, with the student losing speed and control during some transitions. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the course but it is not always consistent on the most challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position on the course. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes maintaining a good position on the course, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other sailors.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the course. The student’s sailing ability is inconsistent throughout the course and headings chosen are only occasionally effective. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the course but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the course. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally maintains a good position on the course and is often outwitted by other sailors.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions on the headings chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s awareness is generally slow and is seldom with effective sailing ability and control, during transitions. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the course. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the heading. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely maintaining a good position on the course and usually being outwitted by other sailors.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Sailing (team)

Tacking (transition)
Gybing (transition)
Upwind and downwind technique (showing application of trim, balance, course made good (CMG), sail setting and centreboard, if applicable)
Mark rounding (showing application of trim, balance, CMG, sail setting and centreboard, if applicable)
Boat speed and control

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

This must not be in a fully competitive sailing event.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making in relation to when to perform a skill with a partner is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making in relation to when to perform a skill with a partner that is correct for the heading is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, the effectiveness of decision making with a partner is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in more predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but usually deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with more pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds and reduced pressure. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive with their partner when faced with progressively challenging situations. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with pressure, additional sailors or challenging conditions, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown in easy conditions. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt with their partner when faced with progressively challenging situations. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully effective and appropriate to maximising their performance in competition. The student’s sailing ability is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost the entire event. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even in the most challenging parts of the course.The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of others on the course. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills with their partner and is usually successful with maintaining an excellent position on the course, while hardly ever being outwitted by other sailors.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to, and maximising, their performance in competition with only minor lapses. The student’s sailing ability is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the competition. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the course, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills with their partner, often maintaining a good position on the course but occasionally outwitted by other sailors.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in headings chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s sailing ability is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the course, with the student losing speed and control during some transitions. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the course but it is not always consistent on the most challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position on the course. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills with their partner, sometimes maintaining a good position on the course, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other sailors.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the course. The student’s sailing ability is inconsistent throughout the course and headings chosen are only occasionally effective. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the course but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the course. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills with their partner, but only occasionally maintains a good position on the course and is often outwitted by other sailors.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions on the headings chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s awareness is generally slow and is seldom with effective sailing ability and control, during transitions. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the course. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the heading. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills with their partner, rarely maintaining a good position on the course and usually being outwitted by other sailors.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Sculling (team)

Students being assessed in team sculling cannot also be assessed in canoeing, kayaking, rowing or single sculling.

Students can be assessed as a pair (doubles) or as a four (quads).

Catch.
Drive phase.
Extraction/finish position.
Recovery and preparation for the catch.
Change of pace/rate.

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Students should perform the core skills/techniques in increasingly demanding and progressive drills. Progressive drills may start with simple drills showing the full technique of the stroke but should aim to increase pressure and incorporate pace and direct competition in conditioned drills. This must not be in a full race.

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices, with excellent timing in their doubles partner/crew. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/ rate, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique (even at pace) and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy with their doubles partner/crew.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices, resulting in marginal losses in timing with their doubles partner/crew. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors in technique (particularly at pace) but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy with their doubles partner/crew.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices with obvious losses in timing with their doubles partner/crew. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors in technique (particularly at pace) and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy with their doubles partner/crew.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices and timing is regularly lost with their doubles partner/crew. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors in technique as pace starts to increase and the student is only occasionally adaptive with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy in their doubles partner/crew.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills, often deteriorates in the most challenging practices and is seldom in time with their doubles partner/crew. When faced with opposition and changes of pace/rate, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors in technique at all speeds and the student may be unable to adapt with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy with their doubles partner/crew.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive race as a pair (doubles) or four (quads) over a minimum distance of 1,000 metres, demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen race. The standard of the race should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position of opposing boats and in time with their doubles partner/crew. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost the entire race, due to a highly developed level of suitable fitness. The student maintains a high level of technical consistency in the performance of all skills within the race. The application of skill is fully appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate in time and is usually successful in executing pace/ rate changes with their doubles partner/crew to outwit their opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions in time with their doubles partner/crew, usually relevant to the position of other boats, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the race, due to a good level of suitable fitness. The student maintains technical consistency in the performance of all skills in the race. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the position of other boats, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate pace/rate in time and can be successful in executing pace/ rate changes with their doubles partner/crew to often outwit opponents, only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions in time with their doubles partner/crew but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant and it is not entirely sustained throughout the race, with the student’s contribution occasionally lacking due to a slight lack of suitable fitness. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in the race but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate pace/rate in time with their doubles partner/crew and can sometimes be successful in executing pace/rate changes, to outwit opponents – although there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions in time with their doubles partner/crew but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position of other boats. The student’s contribution is evident but only occasionally effective or sustained within the race due to a lack of fitness. The student shows some technical consistency in the performance of some skills during the race but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the position of other boats. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply pace/rate changes with their doubles partner/crew, but often loses timing with the others, They occasionally outwit opponents but are often outwitted themselves due to the lack of synchronisation or fitness in the pair/group.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions with their doubles partner/crew and they are seldom relevant to the position of other boats. The student's contribution is limited, seldom effective or sustained during the race with fitness a distinctive weakness. The student shows only limited technical consistency in the performance of a few skills during the race. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the position of other boats. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply pace/rate changes in time with a doubles partner/crew rarely executing pace/rate changes in synchronisation. They can seldom outwit opponents and are usually outwitted by others.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Water polo

Outfield	Goalkeeper
Swimming skills – treading water (egg-beater), head up front and back crawl. Passing and receiving – dry and wet passing. Moving with the ball – drive to be free. Shooting – variety of shots. Marking and Intercepting.	Swimming skills – short quick swim, treading water (egg-beater). Passing – dry passing. Moving with the ball – to shorten outlet pass. Blocking shots from close range (inside 5 metres). Blocking shots from distance (outside 5 metres).

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is consistently effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are very few errors in technique and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of technique is maintained for most skills but may deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They occasionally produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and often deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with opposition, decision making may be ineffective for both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They may not produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive water polo match (7 versus 7), demonstrating the skills appropriate to their chosen position. The standard of the game should be appropriately challenging for the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the game. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is fully appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful in outwitting opponents, while hardly ever being outwitted themselves.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to the position being played, with only minor lapses. The student’s contribution is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the game. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is usually appropriate to their position, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often outwitting opponents but only occasionally being outwitted themselves.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses and they are occasionally not relevant to the position being played. The student’s contribution is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the game, with the student being uninvolved during some periods. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills in set plays and in open play but it is not always consistent. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes outwitting opponents, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the position being played. The student’s contribution is evident but infrequent throughout the game and only occasionally effective or significant. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills in set plays and in open play, but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to their position. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally outwits opponents and is often outwitted themselves.
1	1–3	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions and they are seldom relevant to the position being played. The student's contribution is limited to rare occasions and is seldom effective or significant. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills in set plays and in open play. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to their position. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely outwitting opponents and usually being outwitted themselves.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Windsurfing

It is recommended that students would be following the RYA National Windsurfing Scheme.

Tacking (transition)
Gybing (transition)
Upwind and downwind technique (showing application of trim, balance, course made good (CMG), sail setting and centreboard, if appropriate)
Mark rounding (showing application of trim, balance, CMG, sail setting and centreboard, if appropriate)
Board speed and control

Part 1 – Skills (10 marks)

Level	Mark	Description
5	9–10	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills and throughout all practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making in relation to when to perform a skill is consistently effective in both predetermined and more spontaneous situations. There are very few errors and the student is adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They almost always produce the intended results/accuracy.
4	7–8	The quality of technique is maintained for all skills but may start to deteriorate in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making in relation to when to perform a skill that is correct for the heading is usually effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. There may be occasional minor errors but the student is usually adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They regularly produce the intended results/accuracy.
3	5–6	The quality of windsurfing technique is maintained for most skills but sometimes deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with increased pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, the effectiveness of decision making is inconsistent. The student makes more effective decisions in more predetermined situations than in spontaneous situations. There may be occasional errors and the student is sometimes adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They sometimes produce the intended results/accuracy.
2	3–4	The quality of technique is maintained for some skills but usually deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with more pressure, additional sailors, or challenging conditions, decision making is only occasionally effective in both predetermined and spontaneous situations. They are significantly more proficient at slower speeds and reduced pressure. There may be frequent errors and the student is only occasionally adaptive when faced with progressively challenging situations. They infrequently produce the intended results/accuracy.
1	1–2	The quality of technique is maintained for few skills and deteriorates in the most challenging practices. When faced with pressure and challenging conditions, decision making may be ineffective. Any proficiency is shown in easy conditions. There are likely to be frequent errors and the student may be unable to adapt when faced with progressively challenging situations. They rarely produce the intended results/accuracy.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

Part 2 – Full context (15 marks)

Students should perform in a fully competitive windsurfing event, demonstrating the appropriate skills against suitably challenging opponents, at a suitably challenging event. The level of event challenge (club, regional or national) should be taken into consideration when awarding marks, and be appropriate to the competency and ability of the performer.

Level	Mark	Description
5	13–15	The student shows a high level of ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, almost always fully effective and appropriate to maximising their performance in competition. The student’s windsurfing ability is highly effective, significant and sustained for almost all of the event. The student maintains a high level of technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills even in the most challenging parts of the course The application of skill is fully appropriate to the positioning of others on the course. The student demonstrates a high level of ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills and is usually successful with maintaining an excellent position on the course, while rarely being outwitted by other windsurfers.
4	10–12	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions, usually relevant to, and maximising, their performance in competition with only minor lapses. The student’s windsurfing ability is usually effective and significant and is sustained for the majority of the competition. The student maintains technique, accuracy and consistency in the performance of all skills on most of the more challenging parts of the course. The application of skill is usually appropriate to the course, though there may be some lapses. The student demonstrates the ability to select and apply the most appropriate skills, often maintaining a good position on the course but only occasionally outwitted by other windsurfers.
3	7–9	The student shows the ability to make successful and effective tactical and strategic decisions but there may be some obvious weaknesses in headings chosen and they are occasionally not relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s windsurfing ability is sometimes effective and significant but it is not entirely sustained throughout the course, with the student losing speed and control during some transitions. The student maintains technique and accuracy in the performance of most skills on the course but it is not always consistent on the most challenging parts. The application of skill is not consistently appropriate to their position on the course. The student demonstrates some ability to select and apply appropriate skills, sometimes maintaining a good position on the course, though there may be some obvious areas of weakness and they will sometimes be outwitted themselves by other windsurfers.
2	4–6	The student shows some ability to make tactical and strategic decisions but there are significant weaknesses and inconsistencies in their relevance to the demands of the course. The student’s windsurfing ability is inconsistent throughout the course and headings chosen are only occasionally effective. The student shows some technique and accuracy in the performance of some skills on the course but there are obvious inconsistencies and weaknesses. The application of skill is only occasionally appropriate to the course. The student occasionally demonstrates the ability to select and apply appropriate skills, but only occasionally maintains a good position on the course and is often outwitted by other windsurfers.
1	1–5	The student shows only a limited ability to make tactical and strategic decisions on the headings chosen and they are seldom relevant to the demands of the course. The student’s awareness is generally slow and is seldom with effective windsurfing ability and control, during transitions. The student shows only limited technique and accuracy in the performance of a few skills on the course. The application of skill is rarely appropriate to the heading. The student demonstrates only very limited ability to select and apply appropriate skills, rarely maintaining a good position on the course and usually being outwitted by other windsurfers.
0	0	Nothing worthy of credit.

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