PGCE Secondary Physical Education

What you'll learn

Overview

Explore the fundamentals of teaching through an integrated programme that encompasses both university and school-based training.

You’ll develop your understanding and practice through these core components:

• Subject and curriculum knowledge

• Behaviour management

• Assessment of pupils

• Planning for learning

• Adaptive teaching and inclusion

• Professional behaviours and responsibilities

• How pupils learn

• Pupil health and wellbeing

We’ll revisit these components to enable you to gain, apply and refine your knowledge and skills throughout the year.

Course structure

The PGCE Secondary programme covers all subjects and is studied full-time over one academic year.

Your first school placement begins with familiarisation, where you observe your Training Mentors teaching the classes that you will eventually take over. You’ll teach parts of lessons before assuming responsibility for them. You’ll also learn about the curriculum in your subject, how schools work and how pupils make progress.

Throughout your training you’ll be supported by your Academic Tutor, who is a specialist in your subject. Your Academic Tutor nurtures and develops you as an individual and a professional, while working closely with your Training Mentors and Lead Trainers to provide vital support.

Your PGCE Secondary journey culminates in you developing independence and your own identity as a teacher. You’ll create your own resources, style and techniques for teaching, and build the confidence you need to bring your subject to life.

Throughout the year, you'll track and reflect on your experiences and gain evidence of your suitability to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

How will I be taught?

Learn through doing – gain practical teaching experience (planning, assessment and the impact of these on pupils’ progress) during your placements in schools. Explore the professional role of a teacher, including safeguarding, working with colleagues and parents, taking responsibility for a tutor group, and extracurricular activities. Your Academic Tutor and Training Mentor will model good practice and provide regular feedback on your progress.

You’ll also learn through seminars, lectures and talks delivered by expert practitioners, with follow up question and answer sessions. You’ll be guided to reflect on your own progress and set targets, to read widely and to develop Physcial Education subject knowledge. You’ll also learn from your peers – discussing what you’ve learned and sharing ideas with other BSTs as you develop your own identity as a teacher.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout the programme, you’ll gather examples of practice to reflect your progress at each of the four review points during the course.

Your Training Mentor will observe you regularly during school training, and provide personalised feedback to enable you to succeed as a teacher.

You’ll write reflective reviews; these are designed to help you further your knowledge and skills and to become a reflective practitioner.

Your subject knowledge and fundamental skills in Maths and English will be monitored throughout the programme.

You’ll also submit two subject-focused assignments at Level 7 to gain 60 Master’s-level credits and demonstrate the critical and academic knowledge you’ve gained in your subject.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen.