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KS3 PE Curriculum (England)

The whole key stage 3 pe programme of study from the national curriculum in England, with statutory and non-statutory parts clearly marked. Tick statements to plan a lesson.

Years
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
Ages
11–14
Statutory statements
6
Source
National curriculum in England: physical education
Last checked
2026-10-20

Current. The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Nov 2025) says a revised national curriculum will be published by spring 2027 for first teaching from September 2028.

Teaching one year group? Open its TIP: Year 7 PE · Year 8 PE · Year 9 PE.

Key stage 3 6 statutory statements

Introduction to Key stage 3 (official text)

Pupils should build on and embed the physical development and skills learned in key stages 1 and 2, become more competent, confident and expert in their techniques, and apply them across different sports and physical activities. They should understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others’ work. They should develop the confidence and interest to get involved in exercise, sports and activities out of school and in later life, and understand and apply the long-term health benefits of physical activity.

Pupils should be taught to:

Key stage 3 Statutory

Pupils should be taught to:

  • use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition through team and individual games [for example, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby and tennis]
  • develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports [for example, athletics and gymnastics]
  • perform dances using advanced dance techniques in a range of dance styles and forms
  • take part in outdoor and adventurous activities which present intellectual and physical challenges and be encouraged to work in a team, building on trust and developing skills to solve problems, either individually or as a group
  • analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best
  • take part in competitive sports and activities outside school through community links or sports clubs

Read the programme of study on GOV.UK

More

Key stage 3 overviewAll subjects, tests and dates for KS3.KS1 PEKey stage 1 programme of study.KS2 PEKey stage 2 programme of study.KS4 PEKey stage 4 programme of study.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, National curriculum in England: physical education programmes of study (GOV.UK), © Crown copyright.

Statements in the curriculum lists are copied word for word from GOV.UK; everything else on this page (headings, notes, summaries) is written by us. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education or the Standards and Testing Agency. Always check the official documents linked on this page.

Questions teachers ask

What is in the KS3 pe curriculum?

6 statutory statements in 1 section. Schools must teach the statutory content by the end of the key stage.