I'm done with PE for the year (at sixth form next year we'll have to go PE for once year then I'll be done forever) I put hated them although I guess overall I have sort of mixed views.
In middle school PE was horrific. We played Netball EVERY SINGLE LESSON and whenever we did I was always made Wing defense even though I'm no good at it (I'm no good at netball in general) and the fact that we had no variation was so annoying.
And then we have the problem of when we did PE on the field and got covered in mud.
Our schools did have showers but only about 6 and for a class or 30 or so girls obviously that won't do. Also, the timetable for lessons doesn't give us enough time to have a shower and get changed. I think I ONCE tried to have a shower, then realised it would involve people seeing me naked (the changing blocks were open so everyone could see) and just gave up and didn't bother.
In high school however, I guess PE has improved. I've just been really lucky because I've had a really nice teacher and a really nice class.
Yes there is a big divide between good and bad pupils but LUCKILY the good girls in our group realise this is just core PE and don't care that we're no good and just let us be bad and encourage us.
If I were in the other group (we are mixed, although it's obvious the other group is better) then I am sure I would have been ridiculed and made fun of for being so terrible.
I guess my biggest issue with PE has been that there's no choice. If the weather is nice we'd always do netball or rounders. I am fine with rounders, even if I don't do anything, I just stand about when it's not my turn and I can't field at all. In a way that sort of contradicts the point of PE as I'm not getting any exercise anyway. Netball is just terrible, again I do nothing... luckily the teacher has never gotten mad at me for that and has always been encouraging and nice about it.
I think that for the people who need PE the most (aka the obese children, which I will admit I am one of those) it is the least useful. Okay, I read people saying kids get to take the lesson off, which never happens at our school... we all do PE but half of us don't do much in it. The only times I was ever tired after doing PE was when we did basketball, which I really enjoy even if I'm not that good at it.
Saying all that though I think I was just really really lucky I've had such a nice teacher and been in such a great group, and it sucks that many people have to go through with having horrible teachers who give you penalties for not being able to do their lessons, which isn't very fair.