This report is based on evidence from inspections of physical education between September 2008 and July 2012. Her Majesty’s Inspectors and additional inspectors from Ofsted visited 120 primary schools, 110 secondary schools and seven special schools. This report draws also on evidence from four visits to schools to observe good practice in PE.

Part A provides an overview of findings about pupils’ achievement, the quality of teaching and the curriculum, and the leadership and management of physical education in the schools visited. It evaluates the impact of the recommendations made in an earlier report, Working towards 2012 and beyond. It recommends actions for schools and the Department for Education to secure further improvement in the quality of physical education in schools.

Part B identifies the common weaknesses seen in PE and looks at what the most effective schools have done to overcome these weaknesses so that physical education is good or outstanding.