This month highlights the latest news: training and support sessions; qualification reform and support with the delivery and assessment of the PE and Sport qualifications
October 2026 PE and Sport update
Mon Oct 05 13:57:00 UTC 2026
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Welcome to the October 2026 update from your Subject Advisor
This update covers:
- General Updates
- Support sessions for GCSE PE, GCE PE and BTEC Tech Award in Sport (2022)
- BTEC Digital Assessment Plan (DAP)
- BTEC term-time checkpoint and key date guide
- JCQ results dashboard
- Centre Standardisation material
- GCSE and A Level PE
- BTEC in Sport and Sport and Sport and Exercise Science
- Helpful Resources and Inspiration
We are offering support sesions for teachers to deliver the GCSE PE, GCE PE and/or BTEC Tech Award in Sport (2022) specifications. These sessions will identfiy key observations related to candidate performance highlighted in the examiner/moderator reports and provide strategies to help with the planning for the year ahead.
Working with us is about to get easier. The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is now live, giving centres a simpler way to plan their programme.
BTEC in Sport/Sport and Exercise Science qualifications in scope are:
BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Sport (2012)
BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Sport (2018)
BTEC Nationals in Sport (2016) qualifications
BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science (2016/2017) qualifications
Qualifications not in scope will continue to use the existing assessment plan template. A full list can be found in Appendix A of the centre guide
BTEC Digital Assessment Plan Centre Guidance
Learn more about the Digital Assessment Plan
Stay on track with key BTEC dates, deadlines and milestones throughout the year. The guide also includes links to guidance, training, events and support resources to help you plan ahead and stay informed.We recommend bookmarking the guide and sharing it with colleagues involved in qualification delivery.
JCQ have now published 2026 results on their website for GCSE and A level.
The results provide insights into student entries and attainment in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. JCQ has published results data for 26 years and all the data is on their website to facilitate comparisons.
For the first time JCQ has also published interactive data dashboards for A levels and GCSEs. These dashboards are being piloted with GCSE and A level data in the first instance
View JCQ GCSE Interactive dashboard
View JCQ A level interactive dashboard
Centre Standardisation Materials (CSMs) are available for internally assessed units. These provide examples of learner work alongside the completed documentation required for assessment. They are a valuable resource for standardising assessment decisions and supporting assessor training within your centre.
This year, we have new CSMs for the below units.
BTEC Nationals in Sport (2016) - Unit 4
BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science - unit 14
BTEC Nationals in Sport Coaching and Development (2019) - unit E
Access these in the links below:
BTEC Nationals in Sport (2016) CSMs
BTEC Nationals in Sport and Execise Science CSMs
BTEC Nationals in Sport Coaching and Development (2019) CSMs
Do you teach GCSE PE, A level PE, BTEC Tech Award in Sport or BTEC Nationals in Sport?
Then this group was made for you. It’s a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
Special consideration for GCSE PE – Component 3
For Practical Performance, if the centre has formally assessed the candidate(s) and awarded the mark during the course of study it is not required for candidate(s) to apply for special consideration. You must inform the moderator that you have formally assessed the learner in all activities, and is now injured and cannot be part of the sample. You should then submit the marks in exactly the same way as you do for every other learner.
However, if the candidate(s) has never been formally assessed in one or more activity during the whole course of study, then they should apply for special consideration.
If the candidate(s) has failed to participate in an assessment/examination without valid reason, it is expected that they will be awarded the mark of absent and special consideration cannot be requested.
For further guidance see page 28 in the Instructions for the Conduct of NEA
Instructions for the Conduct of Non Examined Assessment (NEA) - Summer 2026
Centres will need to fill in two forms:
• JCQ’s Form 10
• Pearson’s Form 10 (for practical performance)
Applications for special consideration along with the appropriate documentation, such as a medical certificate, should be sent to uk.special.requirements@ pearson.com
I am delighted to announce that there are a few new exemplars for Component 4: PEP, including new exemplars on swimming, handball, athletics, gaelic footbal, netball, trampolining, climbing and netball
BTEC Key Dates and Term-Time Checkpoints
We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26. While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when.
BTEC L3 Nationals in Sport and Sport and Exercise Science
BTEC International
BTEC Higher Nationals
Thank you!
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below.
You can also sign up to get these Subject Advisor updates straight to your inbox every month.
Subject advisor
Penny Lewis
Physical Education and Sport
Email :
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535
(Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm GMT)
