GCSE Physical Education and Health - Teaching from 2026

The GCSE Physical Education and Health qualification will support the Curriculum for Wales by: 

• supporting the statements of what matters by giving learners the opportunity to: 
  
  • understand the factors that affect physical health and well-being. This includes health-promoting behaviours such as physical activity, including but not limited to sport 
  • develop positive, informed behaviours that encourage them both to care for and respect themselves and others. These behaviours support learners’ sense of self-worth, their overall mood and energy levels 
  • develop the confidence, motivation, physical competence, knowledge and understanding that can help them lead healthy and active lifestyles which promote good physical health and well-being 
  • understand how decisions and actions impact on themselves, on others and on wider society, both now and in the future. It can also help learners understand the factors that influence decision-making, thus placing them in a better position to make more informed and considered decisions 
  • develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to consider their decision-making in terms of possible implications 
  • understand the important role of social influences on their lives. 
• supporting the principles of progression by encouraging learners to: 
  
  • revisit and deepen learning in concepts within the statements of what matters across a wide range of topics and aspects of physical education and health 
  • develop their independence and agency in matters relating to physical education and health: resulting in a growing responsibility for their own health and well-being 
  • develop their ability to make, justify and evaluate decisions across the range of statements of what matters 
  • develop conceptual knowledge and critical understanding in a range of aspects of physical education and health 
  • develop practical skills increasing accuracy and proficiency 
  • transfer understanding from their own well-being to that of others; becoming more socially responsible
• supporting the subject specific considerations for GCSE Physical Education and Health by providing opportunities for learners to: 
  
  • participate in physical activity and engage in a variety of roles, responsibilities and environments 
  • understand what factors, influences and behaviours shape physical health 
  • consider what decisions influence their health and well-being and that of others 
  • understand the benefits of physical activity, including social, recreational and performance aspects, as well as how it supports their physical health and well-being 
  • participate in various sports and activities to support the development and refinement of gross and fine motor skills, transferable skills and the ability to connect progress with perseverance and confidence 
  • understand how factors can influence their health and well-being, develop the skills to support healthy behaviours relating to these factors, and the confidence and motivation to support those behaviours for life 
  • explore the factors that impact on their mental health and well-being. These may include, but are not limited to, the importance of regular exercise and the effect of a balanced diet 
  • to reflect on the short-term, medium-term and long-term implications of the decisions they make. It should recognise that learners do not necessarily have responsibility for many of the decisions affecting them and this responsibility grows over time. Reflecting on the impact of decisions not only on oneself, but on other people and wider society, is important
  • participate in a range of team and individual sports to support their understanding and application of positive health behaviours. This also supports the development of team-working, resilience and individual confidence. A study of sport can also unlock aspects of social history, politics, geography and science in Wales and across the world.