Physical Education (Secondary) PGCE

Degree:

• Degree (2:1 or higher) directly relevant to subject specialism. 

GCSE:

• English language and mathematics, minimum grade C or equivalent. 

Desirable qualifications and experience:

• GCSE PE; A-level PE; BTEC Sport; UK Sports Leaders Awards
• Teaching/coaching qualifications (swimming, athletics, trampolining, for example)
• School-based experience (primary, secondary and/or schools for children with additional learning needs)

Professional Skills Tests and interview:

• The Department for Education has introduced Professional Skills Tests in literacy and numeracy for all applicants to teacher training (QTS) routes. These tests are compulsory, and it will not be possible to enter training without having successfully completed them. Candidates are able to book these tests in advance, and the Department for Education strongly advises you to take the tests soon after you have submitted an application.

Other:

• Candidates are required to attend an interview in person at our Eastbourne campus.
• All offers of places are subject to a satisfactory health check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check. 

English Language Requirement:

• IELTS 7.0 in all elements.

This course covers the national curriculum range of content for physical education including artistic, aesthetic, athletic, adventurous, aquatic and alternative activities.

The course also includes health-related exercise, the use of new and emerging technologies in physical education, thematic teaching and learning in physical education, inclusive practice in physical education and the teaching of accredited courses in physical education.

There are four strands to this course: subject study/subject education, education studies, school placements and professional development.

Course content is kept up to date with changes in local and national initiatives and legislation, so you will be confident that your working knowledge is based on current theory and practice.

The education studies strand gives you a thorough understanding of the learning process itself, including an appreciation of individual differences. The study of the principles and practices of learning and teaching is through both school and university settings, allowing you to develop practical competency supported by analytical skills. By the end of the course you will:

• refine your understanding of pedagogy, including an appreciation of current and emerging educational theories and debate
• understand how to use and adapt a range of teaching, learning, management and assessment strategies in order to meet the varying needs of learners
• understand how the progress and well-being of learners is affected by a range of influences and know how to take account of the principles of equality, inclusion and diversity.

The subject study/subject education strand builds upon your existing expertise in your specialist subject and provides you with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the subject in the secondary school context. You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to the specialist subject. 

The subject education module is specifically related to teaching the specialist subject in school while the subject study module enables you to take your subject specialist studies to an increased depth. You can earn 20 masters-level credits through the assessment for the subject study module.

Professional development is intrinsically linked to all key strands of the programme and is designed to enable you to evaluate critically and reflect on your learning to make improvements. You will be expected to gather and justify evidence of your achievements on a regular basis and develop and implement improvement plans.