PGCE Secondary Physical Education (Postgraduate Certificate of Education)

Overview

Aims of the course
This full time course prepares you for teaching Physical Education at Key Stage 3 and 4. The overriding objective is to support trainee teachers in working towards and attaining the standards necessary to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

By the end of the course you will have developed expert subject knowledge and an understanding of all aspects of Physical Education. You will understand the new National Curriculum programmes of study and the Key Concepts that run through them. You will be aware of distinct teaching styles and be able to select an appropriate style for each teaching episode.

The course aims to train teachers committed to improving their own practice. We will work collaboratively to critically evaluate common practice to empower trainees combining the best practice from different approaches to the subject. We aim to support trainees in becoming teachers who consistently deliver high quality Physical Education, often in challenging schools.

Faculty of Social and Humanities

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

The standard entry requirement is a relevant honours degree.Applicants normally need to have a degree classification of 2.2 or above. Relevant degrees could be from a wide range of subjects including; physical or outdoor education, dance, sports studies and sports science.In addition, you need GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and mathematics. It is possible to take a test set by the institution if you have a GCSE Grade D or equivalent.

You are advised to gain relevant experience of schools, for example by observing PE lessons. You should bring to the course an enthusiasm for PE, and should have a desire to engage students and improve standards in the subject. You should be interested in working in urban schools with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Life experiences and personal qualities also influence the selection of trainees for this course. We look for trainees with some experience of working with young people in the field of sport and physical activity.

Course contents

You spend two thirds of the course in schools. School-based work consists of structured observation visits, curriculum projects and teaching practice. The course structure provides for increasing amounts of school-based work with a gradual progression to whole-class teaching, with increasing responsibility for management and assessment of pupils. You will have two substantial periods of school experience in different secondary schools. You will also spend three days in a primary school, which you must arrange yourself.

You will also attend lectures, practical lectures and workshops. To meet the standards in PE, trainees need to have sound subject knowledge in all activity areas. Trainees should expect some long (and enjoyable) days during the University-based part of the course.

Assessment

There are four elements to assessment. Practical teaching experience is assessed in relation to the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. Two written coursework assignments focus on curriculum development in the subject area and broader issues and policies in education. A Professional Practice Portfolio is compiled across the year, detailing personal experiences and reflections on your development as a teacher, largely in relation to your practical teaching experience. There are no examinations.

Careers

If you complete the course and pass the relevant TDA skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status for teaching Key Stage 3 (age 11-14) and Key Stage 4 (age 14-16). The majority of previous students have gained Qualified Teacher Status and are now teaching.

Funding

If you are a UK/EU applicant you may be eligible for a government training bursary. For more information, contact the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) on 0845 6000 991 or www.tda.gov.uk