ABSTRACT
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland accredited qualifications in PE have developed significantly over the past two decades and are now a key aspect of the work of PE departments to consider when designing their curriculum. Some of the reasons for the development of 14-19 qualifications were highlighted in the Children’s Plan (Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), 2007), which identified the changing economy as a driver to ensure that young people have the right skills to move into further or higher education or into work; setting a target that by 2015 all young people will stay on in education or training to 18 and beyond. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) (2005b: 4) highlighted:
The 14-19 reforms will give all young people the opportunity to choose a mix of learning which motivates, interests and challenges them, and which gives them the knowledge, skills and attitude they need to succeed in education, work, and life.
