Physical Education

Why study Physical Education at The Perse?

Physical Education at The Perse is about far more than sport. Our curriculum inspires pupils to enjoy being active while developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead healthy, active lives. Every pupil is encouraged to discover activities they enjoy, improve their physical literacy and develop the resilience, teamwork and leadership skills that extend far beyond the sports field.

Building confident pupils

The Physical Education curriculum combines a broad range of activities with a strong focus on athletic development, enabling pupils to enhance their movement skills, coordination, strength and overall physical performance. Through a carefully sequenced programme, pupils develop confidence, competence and a lifelong appreciation of physical activity. Alongside traditional team and individual sports, pupils experience swimming, gymnastics, racket sports, strength and conditioning, and global games. This diverse curriculum ensures that every pupil can develop the physical literacy, resilience and self-belief needed to participate successfully in a wide variety of physical activities throughout their time at The Perse and beyond.

Beyond the classroom

Pupils can develop their coaching and leadership skills through the nationally recognised Level 1 Sports Leaders Qualification before progressing to sports coaching as part of the Year 11 Enrichment Programme. These opportunities allow pupils to work with younger pupils, build confidence in communication and leadership, and gain valuable experience of the wider sporting environment. Looking beyond school, pupils will have opportunities to engage with the world of sport through visits to elite sports clubs, universities and national governing bodies, providing insight into sports science, coaching, performance analysis and careers within the sport and physical activity sector.

Recent highlights

GCSE Physical Education continues to grow in popularity, with around 60 pupils choosing to study the subject from September 2026. The department’s first GCSE cohort achieved an excellent set of results, establishing a strong foundation for the continued development of the course. Athletic development sits at the heart of the core PE curriculum, underpinning the department’s vision of developing confident, resilient and capable young people who leave The Perse with the knowledge, skills and motivation to lead active and healthy lives.