November update - PE and Sport
In this November update I would like to keep you up to date with the latest news from the Government, Post 16 Education and Skills White paper, new sample sizes for internally assessed/externally moderated components, exemplar standardisation materials and centre support requests.
Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
On 20 October, the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, setting out significant reforms to vocational education in England. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students, and we want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.
What it means for you
You should continue to register students and deliver your programmes as planned in 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.
As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.
What does the White Paper propose?
The government has announced plans to introduce "V Levels" as a new vocational qualification pathway at level 3, sitting alongside A levels and T Levels. These qualifications aim to simplify the current vocational landscape and will be designed to be similar in size to A levels, allowing students to combine vocational and academic study more flexibly.
The government has opened the consultation to test the key design principles of V Levels, and new qualifications at level 2 that sit alongside GCSEs. It invites views on size and subject areas, information advice and guidance, new T Levels, level 2 qualifications and pathways, non qualification activities, the transition plan, the co-design approach to setting content, and qualification branding. The deadline for responses in 12 January 2026.
New sample sizes for moderated components
From the January 2026 series, we will be asking you to submit a slightly larger sample size for moderation in Project qualifications and BTEC Tech Awards.
From June 2026, this approach will also apply to GCSE, International GCSE, A level and Entry Level Certificate qualifications. This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
New Tech Award Exemplar Standardisation Materials
We have new exemplar standardisation materials for
- Component 1: Preparing Participants to Take Part in Sport and Physical Activity
- Component 2: Taking Part and Improving Other Participants Sporting Performance
Exemplar Standardisation materials
Centre support request
If, you as a teacher would like to get in touch with other centres for any Pearson PE and Sport course, please let me know which qualification(s) and your contact details and in the next update I will share your details so people can contact you.
Subject advisor
Penny Lewis
Physical Education and Sport
