Secondary Physical Education

Study options

Award

PGCE

Key facts

UCAS code:
B738
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time
Duration:
9 Months
Start date:
11 September 2023
School:
Institute of Education

Gain Qualified Teacher Status

Qualify as a teacher with Qualified Teacher Status

Hands-on training

You’ll spend at least 120 days working in two local secondary schools

Develop your knowledge of the curriculum

through weekly sessions

Physical Education is about keeping young people active at school. Our Secondary Physical Education PGCE will help you become confident teaching children new sports and encouraging teamwork. You’ll get experience on placement and develop your expertise on campus.

As a teacher of physical education, it is your responsibility to differentiate lessons to cater for all ages and abilities utilising the national curriculum to inform your teaching and ensuring all students make progress.

The course has been designed to help you understand how to support students from KS3, KS4 and KS5. You’ll develop the skills needed to inspire the young people in your class to continue with physical activity long after they leave school.

Personal tutors will be a large part of your support network and will provide both subject specific and course specific training. They are there for support and guidance and this will range from; top tips when teaching your first lesson to developing questioning techniques. 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PGCE Secondary Physical Education

Work placements

At Staffordshire University, we have close links with partner schools across the region.

We’ll always aim to arrange placements within 40 minutes of where you live.

Course content

Our Secondary Physical Education PGCE takes 36 weeks to complete. This school-led course includes a three-week induction to prepare you for your placement and weekly sessions to develop your knowledge of the curriculum.

To give you experience in the classroom, you’ll spend at least 120 days working in two local secondary schools as well as visiting a local primary school. But, don’t worry, you won’t have the pressure of teaching an entire lesson straight away.

Your training will begin with observing a teacher and helping with group work. Then you’ll share the classes with the teacher and work towards teaching lessons independently.

Alongside teaching, you’ll join in with day-to-day life at the school. Each school has a professional mentor to help you understand the ethos, pastoral care systems, legal and social framework, and supporting services.

You’ll also have weekly meetings with your subject or class mentor to help you prepare for teaching, review lessons, and develop your subject knowledge.

PGCE Secondary Physical Education - Harry Podmore

PGCE Secondary Physical Education - Harry Podmore

Video

Harry talks about why he chose to study a PGCE, his inspiration for choosing Physical Education, and what he is most looking forward to in his upcoming placement.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

You can apply for this course via Gov.uk. Please click on this link to start your application.

We also offer this course via School Direct partners including:

The UCAS code for Biddulph School direct is 2C37

For this course, you need an Honours Degree with a 2:2 classification in Physical Education or a related subject and a GCSE grade C/4 or above in both English Language and Mathematics, we also expect you to be confident in technology.

If your degree is not related to Mathematics but you have maths qualifications at Level 3 (A Level) then a subject knowledge enhancement course may be suitable for you. To find out more about subject knowledge enhancement courses, please check out the following get into teaching website https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/train-to-be-a-teacher/subject-knowledge-enhancement

After you apply, we’ll arrange a selection interview. During the interview process we will assess your subject knowledge and personal qualities, such as communication skills, resilience for teaching, and how easy you’ll find it to relate to secondary age students.

If you accept a formal offer, you’ll need to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and you’ll need clearance to work with children (Enhanced DBS).

Returning to education? We’ll help you every step of the way. Find out more about our support for mature students (anyone over 21).

PGCE Secondary Physical Education - Ash Gill

PGCE Secondary Physical Education - Ash Gill

Video

Ash's biggest influence at school was her PE teacher, so by studying a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education, she is hoping she can be just like them.

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For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Careers

With a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you’ll be ready to teach physical education in secondary schools across England.

Most of our graduates secure their first teaching position while on the PGCE, with many of them securing roles within our partnership schools.

After you’ve completed this course, you can join our Masters in Education. Your PGCE gives you Masters credits which means you’ll be fast tracked and can complete this course by the end of your second year of teaching.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

When you’re not on placement, we’ll help you reflect on your experiences, exchange ideas and overcome challenges. You’ll also:

  • Learn in small groups
  • Use roleplay to develop your knowledge of the secondary curriculum
  • Discuss ideas and challenges you face in group and individual tutorials
  • Reflect on your placement experiences

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

Assessment

Assessment for your PGCE involves portfolio work, assignments, and observed classroom practice. We’ll often ask you to reflect on approaches you’ve used in the classroom and their effectiveness.

You’ll also be regularly observed by your school-based mentor and university tutor. Working with your placement schools, we’ll identify areas of professional practice that you find challenging.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do. We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Independent learning

When you’re not on placement, we’ll help you reflect on your experiences, exchange ideas and overcome challenges. You’ll also:

  • Learn in small groups
  • Use roleplay to develop your knowledge of the secondary curriculum
  • Discuss ideas and challenges you face in group and individual tutorials
  • Reflect on your placement experiences

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience. 

Rebecca House

Lecturer

Rebecca is a Lecturer in Physical Education and a PhD Researcher in Sport Sociology. In particular, her main areas of academic interest include inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals in PE and sport, PE curriculum designs, and alternative activities in PE.

Rebecca's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 11 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per course £16,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Fees and Bursaries Team.

Included in the fees:

If you accept a place with us, we’ll cover the cost of your Enhanced DBS check. You’ll also receive Level 1 Safeguarding training during induction week.
Not included in the fees:

You'll need a branded PE kit, which will cost approximately £60.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

You can apply to the Student Loans Company (SLC) for the following support:

  • Tuition Fee Loan – To cover the cost of your tuition fees.
  • Maintenance Loan – To support you with living costs such as food, accommodation and travel.

For more information and how to apply visit www.gov.uk/teacher-training-funding.

Scholarships and additional funding

You may also be eligible for a Staffordshire University bursary when you choose to study one of our postgraduate Education courses. Visit our Fees and Bursaries page to find out more.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus PGCE Full-time 11 September 2023 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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