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Who We Are and What We Do

Supporting the Workforce and Promoting Excellence in Physical Education, School Sport and Physical Activity


The Association for Physical Education (afPE) is a charitable company, a professional membership  organisation, and the leading subject association for physical education in the United Kingdom. As the authoritative voice of Physical Education, afPE is dedicated to promoting high-quality PE and placing it at the very heart of school life.

Our aim is to empower the workforce to deliver outstanding Physical Education, School Sport, and Physical Activity, ultimately enhancing the health, well-being, and life skills of children and young people.  Whether you're an educator, school leader, or advocate for the transformative power of physical education, afPE is here to support you in making a lasting impact. Together, we can champion the importance of physical education and create a culture of lifelong physical activity for all.

We are committed to creating a sustainable legacy, not relying on quick fixes. Our goal is to ensure that in 15 years, we no longer face the challenge of inactive youth or a growing obesity crisis. By fostering true partnerships and implementing proactive, sector-wide solutions with key stakeholders, we will empower children and young people with the knowledge, skills, and most critically, the physical health and emotional resilience they need to reach their full potential.


Our Mission Statement

The Association for Physical education (afPE) is committed to being the UK representative organisation of choice for people and agencies delivering or supporting Physical Education in schools and the wider community. 

Every Child, Every Week, Every Year


What We Offer

  • A wide range of high quality membership services

  • Accredited professional learning opportunities and vocational qualifications

  • Journals (Physical Education Matters & Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy)

  • Advice, support & employment opportunities

  • Monthly e-newsletter

  • Email/video/webinar updates

  • Representation at key stakeholder meetings and national working parties

  • Insurance cover and dedicated helplines, including support for health & safety and legal advice

Our Corporate Objectives

  • Demonstrate the distinctive role of physical education in children and young people’s learning, development and achievement

  • Establish and sustain physical education at the heart of school life and whole-school development, through support for high quality learning and teaching; research; ethical leadership and politically informed advocacy and representation

  • Raise awareness of physical education’s contribution to public health and well-being and increased participation

  • Play a leading role in the development of a workforce with the skills and qualities required to assure high quality physical education and sport in schools and in the wider community

  • Provide high quality, professional, sustainable services for members and partners

Our History

The Association for Physical Education (afPE) was officially launched at the House of Parliament on  23rd March 2006. 

Prior to afPE’s launch there were two subject associations for physical education:

  • British Association of Advisers & Lecturers in Physical Education (baalpe)
  • The Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom (PEA UK)

 

Both associations had long, proud histories representing the physical education profession, going back as far as 1899. They were instrumental in both shaping the subject ensuring its status within the curriculum. BAALPE and PEA UK worked closely to promote physical education and support the workforce in PE and school sport. In July 2005, members of both associations voted to dissolve the two organisations in favour of forming a new single subject association for PE – the Association for Physical Education.


Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

 
Inclusion is a key pillar in the Association for Physical Education’s (afPE) current strategy. As an organisation afPE has a proactive approach to understanding how the landscape of equality, diversity and inclusion interconnects with strategic and operational aspects of the Association. Moving forward, afPE will adopt equitable practices to provide what is necessary for everyone to access the same opportunities and achieve the same goals.
 
The Association focuses on the delivery of physical education within schools and therefore is led by educational guidance while also being informed by sport organisations and relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010. afPE aims to provide practitioners with signposting to relevant organisations, to ensure schools can use the advice to adapt to their own relevant context and setting. Finally, afPE aims to provide examples of ‘good practice’ from those working in the field as well as engaging with experts in specific EDI elements.

 

Find out more!

 

Partners