PGDE Physical Education

Program Overview

The PGDE (Secondary) Physical Education at the University of Strathclyde is a 36-week, GTCS-regulated program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical teaching experience. This modular program equips students with pedagogical skills, professional values, and inquiry-based learning through campus classes and 18 weeks of placement in Scottish schools, preparing them for a successful career as secondary physical education teachers.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PGDE (Secondary) Physical Education course at the University of Strathclyde is a 36-week full-time program, including 18 weeks of placement experience. It is a well-recognized teaching qualification worldwide, regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government. The program aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to become effective secondary physical education teachers. It provides students with the opportunity to achieve 120 Masters-level credits.

Outline:

The PGDE (Secondary) Physical Education course is modular in structure, with students studying three modules across the year:

• Education Studies: Professional Values: This module explores the theoretical underpinnings of education, focusing on issues such as the nature and purpose of education, social justice and equality, and practice and policy in relation to ethical and political ideas.
Students are encouraged to engage with these issues, reflect on their values and beliefs, and develop their understanding of how theoretical underpinnings relate to the classroom.
• Professional Learning Through Enquiry: This module aims to develop students as enquiring, self-reflective practitioners who are able to work collaboratively to develop skills, knowledge, and expertise in an area of professional practice.
Students are supported to become autonomous, transformative leaders of change, equipped to respond to the dynamic and complex nature of society.
• Professional Skills: This module is taught both on campus and in schools, enabling students to become effective teachers through learning pedagogical theory, observing experienced teachers, and applying their knowledge and understanding in a practical context.
It is divided into two sub-modules:
• Curriculum and Pedagogy:
This sub-module focuses on the theoretical aspects of teaching and learning, including curriculum development, lesson planning, and assessment.
• Professional Practice: This sub-module provides students with practical experience in the classroom, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge and develop their teaching skills.
The PGDE operates a model whereby students attend classes on campus followed by blocks of continued learning on placement. The modules run in parallel, and learning and practice are cumulative. On-campus time is used to familiarize students with the curriculum, allow them to collaborate with other students, and begin to plan lessons and develop materials. Students have the opportunity to teach mini-lessons and explore innovative and motivating ways of engaging children and young people.

Placement:

Students spend 18 weeks of the course on placement in a school within Scotland. Students are required to keep a portfolio of progress while on placement, which forms part of the evidence of their meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration and prepares them for career-long professional learning.

Assessment:

The assessment methods for the PGDE (Secondary) Physical Education course include:

• Coursework: Each class includes coursework that involves group or independent study on specified tasks.
This may involve presentations and written reports. While not formally assessed, these are essential learning experiences and course requirements.
• Placement: Students are continually assessed during their placement to ensure they meet the requirements for the Standards for Provisional Registration.
• Portfolio: Students are required to keep a portfolio of progress while on placement, which forms part of the evidence of their meeting the Standards for Provisional Registration.

Teaching:

The PGDE (Secondary) Physical Education course encourages an active and participative style of learning to meet students' professional needs and promote a commitment to continuing professional development. The course timetable is from 9am to 5pm, and students are expected to be working on course-related activity during those hours.

Careers:

Most PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country. The PGDE is a well-recognized teaching qualification worldwide, and graduates are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) in Scotland, which provides a guaranteed 1-year training post in a local authority. Graduates can also pursue careers in other areas, such as:

• Head Teacher
• Further Education Lecturer
• Special Educational Needs Teacher
• Charity Adviser
• Youth Worker
• Museum Educator
• Education Liaison Roles
• Private Tutor

Other:

• The course encourages students to submit two of their assignments at Masters level, which can be used towards a Masters in Education qualification.
• Students have the opportunity to achieve up to 120 credits at Masters level, which can be used towards further study following the course.
• The course is fully supported by additional input during the program.
• The Preference Waiver Scheme offers a financial incentive to student teachers on TIS who agree to be allocated to their one-year post anywhere in Scotland.
• The University of Strathclyde has a thriving international community with students coming from over 140 countries across the world.

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