Pupils' subject choice - higher grade physical education

While 1990 saw the general availability of 'A' level examinations in Physical Education and Sport Studies, it was not until 1993 that the Scottish 'equivalent', Higher Grade Physical Education (HGPE), became available, with the first examinations taking place in 1994. Although 'A' level and Higher Grade target the same age group (17 and 18 year olds), Higher Grade study in Scotland has, until the recent introduction of the Higher Still development, normally been completed within one year compared to two years for 'A' level. HGPE aims to develop concepts that are introduced within Standard Grade Physical Education (SGPE) . SGPE became available in Scottish secondary schools in 1988 and is a two-year course primarily undertaken by pupils aged 15 and 16 years old. Since the introduction of 'A' level PE and Sport Studies, very little has been written regarding its uptake, beyond reporting the number of people entered for either 'A' level and the grades achieved. Apart from Carroll's (1995) research, no work has reported on pupils' reasons for choosing to do 'A' level in either PE or Sport Studies. Sadly, there is a similar dearth of knowledge north of the border in relation to pupils' reasons for choosing to do HGPE. Although a number of authors (including Cooper, 1995 and the ILEA, 1988) have encouraged the PE profession to examine the reasons given by pupils which affect their decision to choose PE at certain levels, there have been no attempts to formally investigate pupils ' reasons for choosing or choosing not to do HGPE. This article reports from part of a larger research study pupils' reasons for choosing or choosing the more frequently mentioned reasons given by either group.