Sports Courses

If you’re passionate about sport and want access to world-class facilities, expert coaching, and academic excellence, then Queen Ethelburga’s College, a top-ranking independent school in the North of England, is the perfect choice for you.

At QE, students can choose from a range of sports qualifications:

GCSE Physical Education
A Level Physical Education
BTEC Sport (Level 1, 2 and 3)
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition

Outstanding Facilities in the North

Sports pitches at top sports school.

Choose between a selection of GCSE, BTEC or A Level Sports Courses.

Our Yorkshire campus is home to some of the best sports facilities in the North of England, including:

FIFA-standard grass pitches
Sports science laboratories
A brand-new gym with Eleiko equipment
A swimming pool with water treadmills
Strength and conditioning suites
Specialist fitness studios

We regularly host Premier League football teams and national rugby squads who use our campus for pre-season training, making QE a hub of high-performance sport.

Partnership with Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport

Queen Ethelburga’s College is proud to partner with the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, one of the UK’s leading schools for sport and exercise science. Through this partnership, our student-athletes benefit from:

Professional coaching
Cutting-edge sports science support
Opportunities to visit and learn about university-level sports courses

Student working with the Carnegie School of Sport.

Many of our students go on to receive professional contracts, UK and US scholarships, or gain entry into elite sports pathways, such as:

Leeds Rhinos Superleague Netball
Yorkshire County Cricket
Leeds United Football Academy
Castleford Tigers Rugby League

Physical Education Courses in Yorkshire

We recommend you take Physical Education as a GCSE or A Level if you play sport at a good level, due to the practical element.

GCSE Physical Education – Pearson Edexcel
This course explores how science underpins sport, covering anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Topics include: Fitness and Body Systems: Anatomy and Physiology Movement analysis Physical training Health and performance: Health, fitness and wellbeing Sport psychology Socio-cultural studies
A Level Physical Education – AQA
“I chose A Level PE because the knowledge helps both my future career in physiotherapy and my personal athletic development in netball. From learning the essential nutrition intake and training methods to make me stronger, fitter and healthier to aid my sport and wellbeing.” This A Level builds on GCSE knowledge and is suited to students aiming for careers in the sports, fitness, or health industries. Topics include: Applied anatomy and physiology Skill acquisition Sport and Society Exercise physiology Sports psychology Biomechanics Technology in Sport

GCSE Physical Education – Pearson Edexcel

This course explores how science underpins sport, covering anatomy, physiology, and psychology.

Topics include:

Fitness and Body Systems:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Movement analysis
- Physical training
Health and performance:
- Health, fitness and wellbeing
- Sport psychology
- Socio-cultural studies

A Level Physical Education – AQA

“I chose A Level PE because the knowledge helps both my future career in physiotherapy and my personal athletic development in netball. From learning the essential nutrition intake and training methods to make me stronger, fitter and healthier to aid my sport and wellbeing.”

This A Level builds on GCSE knowledge and is suited to students aiming for careers in the sports, fitness, or health industries.

Topics include:

Applied anatomy and physiology
Skill acquisition
Sport and Society
Exercise physiology
Sports psychology
Biomechanics
Technology in Sport

Student playing basketball at top sport school.

BTEC Sport Courses in the North

The BTEC Sport qualification is ideal if you have a keen interest in sport and prefer to learn in a vocational context.

BTEC Tech Award in Sport (Levels 1 & 2) – Pearson
“I chose this course because of how it differs from GCSE PE. I preferred that assessments be carried out throughout the course, rather than waiting until the end of the two years. I also liked that, although there is a practical element, there isn’t as much assessment focused on performance as a player. On this course, I can plan and deliver coaching sessions, lead circuits, or analyse performance - all of which I think are excellent ways to develop the skills and qualities needed for real careers in sport.” You will complete the first two levels during Key Stage Four (Ages 14–16). The course offers numerous practical opportunities, including session planning and delivery, performance analysis, and sports leadership. Topics include: Preparing Participants to Take Part in Sport and Physical Activity Taking Part and Improving Other Participants' Sporting Performance Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity
BTEC National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Sport (Level 3) – Pearson
“I chose to study the BTEC Extended Certificate in Sport because I wanted to build on what I had learned in GCSE. I really enjoy the variety in the modules and assignments, which include both written work and hands-on learning. However, the best part has been the ability to tailor work to specific sports or areas of interest, which is different from A Level PE, where assessments are solely exam-based." The Level 3 qualification is completed during Key Stage Five (Ages 16 to 18). The course deepens your academic knowledge of human physiology and includes a range of engaging practical assessments, such as: Fitness testing and training Analysing athlete performance Conducting job interviews Leading player feedback meetings Year 1 Topics: Anatomy and Physiology Sports Leadership Fitness Testing Coaching for Performance Year 2 Topics: Fitness Training and Programming Professional Development in Sport Sport Business and Marketing Skill Acquisition in Sport

BTEC Tech Award in Sport (Levels 1 & 2) – Pearson

“I chose this course because of how it differs from GCSE PE. I preferred that assessments be carried out throughout the course, rather than waiting until the end of the two years. I also liked that, although there is a practical element, there isn’t as much assessment focused on performance as a player. On this course, I can plan and deliver coaching sessions, lead circuits, or analyse performance - all of which I think are excellent ways to develop the skills and qualities needed for real careers in sport.”

You will complete the first two levels during Key Stage Four (Ages 14–16). The course offers numerous practical opportunities, including session planning and delivery, performance analysis, and sports leadership.

Topics include:

Preparing Participants to Take Part in Sport and Physical Activity
Taking Part and Improving Other Participants' Sporting Performance
Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity

BTEC National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Sport (Level 3) – Pearson

“I chose to study the BTEC Extended Certificate in Sport because I wanted to build on what I had learned in GCSE. I really enjoy the variety in the modules and assignments, which include both written work and hands-on learning. However, the best part has been the ability to tailor work to specific sports or areas of interest, which is different from A Level PE, where assessments are solely exam-based."

The Level 3 qualification is completed during Key Stage Five (Ages 16 to 18). The course deepens your academic knowledge of human physiology and includes a range of engaging practical assessments, such as:

Fitness testing and training
Analysing athlete performance
Conducting job interviews
Leading player feedback meetings

Year 1 Topics:

Anatomy and Physiology
Sports Leadership
Fitness Testing
Coaching for Performance

Year 2 Topics:

Fitness Training and Programming
Professional Development in Sport
Sport Business and Marketing
Skill Acquisition in Sport

GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition Course – (AQA)

Nutrition plays a vital role in sport, and our programme teaches students how to cook healthy, protein-rich meals. A qualified chef supports students in understanding the link between diet and athletic performance.

From September 2025, we are introducing the GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition qualification to complement our sport courses. (This course is also available to students interested in pursuing a career in catering!)

You will develop practical cooking skills and gain a thorough understanding of the relationship between diet, nutrition, and health.

Topics include:

Food, nutrition and health
Food science
Food safety
Food choice
Food provenance

Why Study Sport at Queen Ethelburga’s College?

Queen Ethelburga’s is one of the top independent schools in the North of England, offering an exceptional environment for aspiring athletes and sports professionals. Here’s why students choose to study Sport with us:

World-Class Sports Facilities:
- Train in our state-of-the-art sports complex, featuring cutting-edge sports science laboratories, a brand-new gymnasium with Eleiko equipment, and advanced performance analysis technology.
University Partnership with Leeds Beckett:
- We are proud to partner with the Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, giving our student-athletes access to the latest research, professional coaching, and university-level experiences.
Elite Athlete Pathway:
- Our Performance Sports Programme supports students competing at county and national level in football, netball, basketball, cricket, and rugby, helping them to reach their full potential.
Local and National Competition Opportunities:
- Take part in competitive fixtures across the country. Follow our Instagram to see the latest match results, student achievements, and behind-the-scenes training highlights.
Extended Facility Access:
- Enjoy access to professional-grade training facilities outside of school hours, enabling you to balance academic study with year-round athletic development.

Where Can Sport Take You?

Students who join our Performance Sports Programme and study sport-related qualifications often progress to exciting higher education opportunities and careers in the sports and health industries.

Our alumni have gone on to study a wide range of subjects at top UK universities, including:

Physiotherapy
Sport and Exercise Science
Sport & Exercise Psychology
Sport Management
Adventure Education
Applied Sports Studies in Athletics
Biomedical Sciences
Global Health and Social Science

They have successfully secured places at some of the UK’s leading universities, such as:

Whether you're aiming for a career in elite sport, sports therapy, coaching, or sports science, Queen Ethelburga’s College provides the academic foundation, professional coaching, and cutting-edge facilities to help you get there.

Contact Admissions to begin your application.

Sports Courses

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