Physical Education (Secondary) PGCE

This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11–16 age range which enables you to be employed as a qualified teacher in secondary schools in England and Wales. The course also offers enrichment opportunities to teach the 16–18 age phase.

You'll experience practical and theoretical modules that are based upon research-informed practice by the route leader, Dr Gary Stidder, who is an established academic and active researcher in the field of physical education.

Our course focuses on an alternative approach to teaching physical education, emphasising physical activities and non-traditional team games alongside the usual competitive team games. It also includes lifestyle activities that have a wide appeal to a broad population of pupils.

Studying with us, you will have access to excellent resources and gain practical experience in two contrasting schools. We have partnerships with over 600 schools and colleges in the south east offering opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings.

Course structure

All teaching takes place at the School of Sport and Service Management, based in Eastbourne, where there are extensive sports facilities such as six badminton court-sized sports halls, two gymnasiums, plus a fitness suite, Astro turf pitch and swimming pool.

When studying with us at the university, you’ll experience and learn how to teach practical physical education through The A-list of physical activities. These include physical activities considered to be less conventional compared to more established types of activities. The A-list includes the following non-conventional physical activities:

Alternative – Physical activities that depart from or challenge traditional norms and are considered to be non-traditional in a UK context such as tchoukball, kin-ball and korfball.
Adapted – Physical activities suited to pupils with additional learning needs but that can also be practiced by all pupils within secondary schools such as boccia, goalball and new age kurling.
Artistic – Physical activities related to cultural and artistic forms of dance.
Aesthetic – Physical activities that are creative and involve a combination of movements requiring precision, fluency and control such as urban gymnastics, cheerleading and trampolining.
Aquatic – Physical activities that take place in or on the water such as swimming, synchronised swimming, water aerobic dancing, water polo, life-saving and personal survival.
Athletic – Physical activities that require physical skill, agility and stamina such as street surfing.
Adventurous – Physical activities that require precise problem-solving and decision making skills such as orienteering and climbing.
Aerobic – Physical activities that are sustained and require low to high intensity such as jogging, rowing and cycling.
Anaerobic – Physical activities that are non-endurance activities involving speed strength and power such as sprinting, jumping, and throwing.

The university works in partnership with schools and colleges to provide a high quality programme of support, ensuring a sound relationship between theory and practice. You will benefit from undertaking two placements in two schools or colleges, spending two-thirds of your year teaching, under supervision. You'll also have the opportunity to visit additional schools or colleges as part of the Peer Observation programme.

Careers

Graduates of the course are equipped with the skills and knowledge to become confident and competent secondary-school teachers.

As well as gaining a PGCE, you will be assessed against the national Teachers’ Standards in order to be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.