Secondary Physical Education PGCE with QTS drafted

Program Overview

This one-year Secondary Physical Education PGCE with QTS program equips aspiring teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach Physical Education effectively at the secondary level. Blending theoretical and practical components, the program focuses on developing subject content expertise, pedagogical strategies, and professional values through classroom activities, workshops, and supervised teaching placements. Graduates earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling them to pursue careers as secondary school Physical Education teachers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is a one-year postgraduate certificate in secondary education designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree who aspire to become secondary school Physical Education teachers. The program aims to equip students with the necessary subject specialist knowledge and practical skills to excel in the dynamic world of secondary education.

Objectives:

• Develop subject content and pedagogical knowledge for effective teaching in Physical Education.
• Critically analyze and evaluate current research, policy, and practice in Physical Education.
• Enhance personal subject knowledge, skills, and understanding.
• Develop specific teaching strategies to support pupils' progress in Physical Education.
• Understand pedagogy, focusing on how pupils learn, supporting their progress, planning and teaching well-structured lessons, and adapting teaching to meet the needs of all learners.
• Develop professional values, attributes, skills, and understanding of teachers' statutory duties, professional expectations, and responsibilities.
• Enhance classroom and behavior management skills.
• Build confidence as a teacher, focusing on creating a positive learning environment and setting high expectations for pupils' learning and behavior.
• Develop inclusive pedagogy and practice.

Outline:

The program is divided into two main themes:

Developing Specialist Subject Knowledge:

• Develop subject teaching using diverse methodologies and media to engage young people.
• Gain an understanding of the Physical Education (PE) curriculum, how learners make progress in PE, planning and curriculum development, examination requirements, inclusion issues in PE, and auditing and developing subject-specific knowledge to support effective PE teaching.
• Research evidence-based learning theories, gain a deeper understanding of current professional issues in secondary schools, and begin to develop a personal educational philosophy.

Modules:

• Developing Specialist Subject Knowledge: This module focuses on developing subject content and pedagogical knowledge to support effective teaching in the specialist subject area.
Students will critically analyze and evaluate current research, policy, and practice, and develop specific teaching strategies to support pupils' progress.
• Pedagogies for Support Learning and Progress in the Secondary School: This module explores pedagogy, focusing on how pupils learn, supporting their progress, planning and teaching well-structured lessons, and adapting teaching to meet the needs of all learners.
• Professional Values and Practice 1: This module supports professional learning in the first assessed phase of school-based training.
Students will gain an understanding of teachers' statutory duties, professional expectations, and responsibilities, and develop classroom and behavior management skills.
• Professional Values and Practice 2: This module supports professional learning in the second assessed phase of school-based training.
It focuses on the development of inclusive pedagogy and practice.
• Professional Values and Practice 3: This module supports professional learning in the final assessed phase of school-based training.
Students will refine and consolidate their teaching practice and demonstrate that they meet the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Completion of a range of classroom activities
• Written assignments
• Reports
• Personal subject audits
• Development of portfolios of evidence
Assignments are designed to help students develop their teaching practice.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Workshops
• Tutorials
• Lectures (some with guest speakers)
• Group work with other trainee teachers
The program is taught in small, friendly, and supportive groups to foster confidence and success. Course tutors are experienced teachers, and students have a personal academic tutor to support them throughout their studies.

Careers:

Upon successful completion of the program, students are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling them to start their first teaching post within a secondary school.

• Students undertake at least two compulsory placements as part of the course, spending 120 days in at least two schools.
• Students benefit from observing experienced teachers, practical hands-on experience, and supportive mentoring to develop into confident and successful teachers.
• The program provides support from both subject and professional mentors in schools, who help students develop their practice through observations, planning meetings, weekly tutorials, reports, and in-depth lesson evaluations.
• University tutors visit students in school to guide, support, and evaluate their progress.
• The University of Huddersfield is ranked first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which recognize the UK's best lecturers in Higher Education.
• The University won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing its commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers.

The full-time tuition fee for this course for 2024/25 entry will be £9250.