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 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
The Association for Physical Education (afPE) is the national association for physical education in the UK, dedicated to promoting high-quality PE for all children and young people. We work with educators, leaders, policymakers, and partners to champion evidence-informed practice and ensure that physical education is valued, accessible, and inclusive across all educational settings.
Our mission is to support the profession in delivering outstanding, safe, and meaningful PE experiences that enhance physical, social, and emotional well-being. Through professional development, guidance, advocacy, and sector leadership, we strive to create environments where every child can be active, healthy, confident, and empowered. As a membership organisation, we are committed not only to advancing the discipline of physical education but also to modelling the values of equity, inclusion, and respect in everything we do.
At the heart of afPE’s mission lies a belief in the transformative power of physical education not just for building physical competence, but for shaping inclusive, confident communities. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) is not a peripheral concern for us; it is an essential component of our professional purpose. We are deeply committed to ensuring that the workforce that delivers PE reflects, supports, and empowers the diversity of the young people and communities we serve.
The Case for PE Becoming a Core Subject
afPE honoured member, Professor Jo Harris has authored a paper on the case for physical education becoming a Core Subject in the National Curriculum. This paper presents the case for physical education becoming a core subject within the National Curriculum in England alongside English, Mathematics and Science.
Core subjects are generally considered to lay the foundation for learning in other subjects and, as a result, are generally advantaged in terms of their status, preparation for teaching, and their time and resource allocation in schools. As a consequence, key foundation subjects such as physical education tend to be marginalised and ‘squeezed’ in terms of time and resource. This has led to a narrowing of the curriculum.