Welcome to your Physical Education and Sports Coaching course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as a Physical Education and Sports Coaching student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

A big welcome from the PE and Sport Coaching team here at Staffordshire University! We understand that new environments can be daunting, therefore, we want to help you prepare in advance and know what to expect.

We have put together this short to-do-list and information sheet to help you prepare for your exciting new course here at Staffordshire University. Following are some things you can do to help support your transition to the University.

Course delivery

In the first semester all our lectures will be face to face and based in our fantastic facilities at the Stoke-on-Trent campus. There will be a mixture of classroom-based and practical components throughout your time with us so please be prepared with the appropriate practical kit when required.

The academic year is split into 2 semesters, semester 1 from September to December and semester 2 from January to May.

Our virtual learning space (called Blackboard Ultra) will enable you to engage with learning materials both before and after a class has taken place and will serve as an online hub of information. We may also occasionally offer activities via the online learning community and other online systems such as Microsoft Teams. Don’t worry if you haven’t used these systems before; we will offer you training and support in how to use them. These systems are provided to you by the university; you will simple need access to the internet to use them.

Regular academic mentoring and support will be in place, your course leader, module leader and personal tutor will be available for you to contact during your studies at Staffordshire University.

There will be full access to support services online or face-to-face where necessary including our disability service, careers service, student guidance advisors, IT support, and counselling service amongst others.

Semester one activities

The first few weeks with us will enable you to settle in and get to know one another. There are three modules you will see on your timetable.

Exploring Academic Skills and Industry Practice: This module is delivered in classrooms where you will learn effective, professional communication, academic referencing and all of the study skills required to succeed and excel at university. The module will also give you an indication of what to expect from a wide variety of sport industries and start you on your path to become a professional in settings such as schools, colleges, sports clubs, coaching organisations, national governing bodies and many more.

Foundations of Sport Coaching: This module will be split evenly between theory and practical sessions. You will be learning about the key components of sport coaching and physical education, developing a knowledge of what it takes to instruct, to teach, and to excel in this field. During practical sessions, we want you to get stuck in and begin coaching and teaching each other right from the outset in what is a lovely, supportive environment.

Sport Sciences for Teachers and Coaches: This module is designed to give you an introduction and foundational knowledge of key sport science elements. We recognise that as budding teachers and coaches, you need to have a knowledge of these elements to become proficient in your future careers. It’s very ‘hands on’ so bring practical kit and get stuck into the amazing lab spaces we have in the Science Centre and Fitness Centre!

Pre-Learning

Suggested Introductory Reading:

You have the option to conduct some background reading prior to starting your course. To provide you with an underpinning knowledge of the concepts surrounding sports coaching as a discipline; reading the suggested texts will give you a baseline understanding of some key course themes.

Young People's Voices in Physical Education and Youth Sport

Sport Pedagogy: An Introduction for Teaching and Coaching

Foundations of Sports Coaching: Applying Theory to Practice - 3rd Edit (routledge.com)

Trips and activities

Throughout the course of your study, you can expect trips and also visits from our external expert partners from industry. These include:

Visiting St George’s Park
Visiting professional sports clubs such as Stoke City Football Club and the Academy.
Visits from external experts such as professional teachers, sports coaches, and industry specialists.

Appropriate clothing

Many of your modules will be practical, therefore, you will be expected to wear appropriate clothing and footwear when conducting physical activity/sport.

You will require appropriate clothing for outdoors specifically as we shall be coaching through the whole of the year, not just the warmer months. The Sport & Exercise Department have their own website where you can order apparel (kit) for your Sports Coaching course. If this is of interest, please follow the link below.

Staffordshire University Sport Kit Store

Equipment and software

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available is:

Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Teams
SPSS and AMOS
Maple
NVivo
Sophos Antivirus
Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
VMWare
Free Training

Software link: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Groups and societies

Find more information on our High Performance Sports Academy and see whether you are eligible for some of the fantastic support for your training and competition. We also offer bursaries for athletes competing at national and international level.

High Performance Academy - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)

Alternatively, you can find more information about getting involved in a student group at a recreational and participatory level. Joining a Society can enhance your time at University. It’s a great way to make new friends and connections, learn from other students and develop new skills whilst having some fun at the same time. Whether you want to join a group as a member, get involved in running a group as part of a committee or help run an event or organise your own – your Students’ Union is here to make it happen! Please check out the Students’ Union website for more information on all of our groups, volunteering and other opportunities, or get in touch with the Students’ Union if you have more questions

Clubs and Societies (staffsunion.com)

Meet the team

Jack Bullock

Senior Lecturer

Jack is a Lecturer in Sport Coaching and Physical Education as well as an active researcher across the education sector. His main areas of interest are student experiences and teaching and learning pedagogy.

Jack's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader: Jack Bullock Jack.bullock1@staffs.ac.uk