Physical Education

Candidates

Applicants will normally have a PE or sports related degree (e.g. sports coaching, sport and exercise science). They will need to demonstrate that they have considered how to develop their subject knowledge in the National Curriculum, GCSE, A level and BTEC requirements for PE, especially where topics/sports have not been covered by their degree.  Along with an active engagement in sport or physical activity and awareness of educational issues, a desire to excite, stimulate and engage young people from 11-18 with the possibilities and pleasures open to them in taking part in sport and studying PE is a good starting point for an application.

PE is our most popular subject by some distance, as it is for most providers of secondary teacher training, and we get a lot of strong applications.  It is also the only subject for which we have an allocation of places from the Department for Education which we cannot exceed.

Subject Pathway

Subject sessions normally take place at Balcarras School, on a Thursday afternoon.  Some sessions are run by other teachers in their schools.  These sessions give the opportunity for all PE trainees to come together and learn more about subject pedagogy from Suzanne, visiting speakers and each other.  Most sessions include a practical element.  Occasionally courses are organised to extend subject knowledge and skills and some may require an additional financial contribution.

In January and April some sessions will be led by a subject tutor appointed by the University of Bristol who will introduce the PGCE assignments on curriculum practice and curriculum research.  The University of Bristol does not offer its own PE PGCE so these assignments are specially designed for the GITEP course.

Programme Structure

Trainees start the year with three weeks of professional studies, a programme of lectures, workshops and expert speakers, to give a context to the course.  By the end of September trainees start their “Parent 1” placement and will be in school full time until mid-December.  There are another two weeks of professional studies either side of Christmas.  In January trainees start their “Twin” placement in a second school.  There are more professional studies weeks before Easter then trainees return to their first school for their “Parent 2” placement.  The final placement includes an enhancement week to give opportunities to experience particular aspects of teaching.

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Routes Available