GCSE physical education and the embodiment of gender

Research within the area of the sociology of physical education (PE) recognises that it is a subject which reinforces dominant ideologies about gender. The gendered nature of PE appears to continue into General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinable PE, as the proportion of boys being examined in GCSE PE compared to girls is nearly 2:1. Given the recent drive and initiatives such as the Girl Active scheme, run jointly by Norwich Union and the Youth Sport Trust to get girls active, GCSE PE may have a role to play increasing girls' involvement in physical activity and healthy lifestyles. This paper seeks to explore, through qualitative focus group interviews with Year 10 girls, how girls' experiences of PE and GCSE PE are gendered. The findings of this paper suggest that GCSE PE does little to breakdown existing gender relations of PE and often reinforces ideas about the gendered body.