How to become a PE teacher?

tawecdl

Hi, I'm 23 and my lifetime ambition is to become a PE teacher. When I left school I started college (I didn't have the grades to stay on) and didn't really enjoy it. I quit college after 3 months and got a job working on computers. I have now worked in IT, Admin etc but really annoyed at myself for not fulfilling my ambition. I am a 23 year old lad.

What directions could I take to ultimately become a PE teacher before i'm over the hill?

any advice is fully appreciated.

merlinormartin

Hi

firstly you will need to complete a degree at university (normally 3 years fulltime) to gain entry onto the degree program you normally need A-levels, diplomas or relevant access course.... then study a 1 year pgce Physical Education course ...most universities require All applicants to hold a degree in Physical Education, Sports Science or a related subject from a UK university or equivalent before excepting them onto the pgce course.
http://www.tda.gov.uk/recruit.aspx for more information

tawecdl

so i'd need alevels 2 years
a degree 3 years
pgce 1 year

wow i'd be 30!!!

Gingernutmeg

You wouldn't necessarily need A-Levels, you could take an Access course which would only take a year.

You could also find a uni that would let you combine Sports Science with Education (you don't learn about 'teaching' on an education degree, but it is a recognised way of getting into teaching) - it won't make the degree go any faster lol but you'd be able to feel that you were getting towards your goal of teaching sooner, IYSWIM. You might also be able to do some teaching practice during your degree.

Or, you could take a degree in Primary Teaching and specialize in PE, that way you'd be able to teach as soon as your degree is finished. I'm not sure though whether it's better (funding wise) to go along the degree/PGCE route.

Also, all of the people I know who got onto teaching courses had some experience with children before - classroom assistant, Brownies/Cubs, sports clubs etc etc - it might be worth looking into doing something like that before you apply.

And 30 isn't that old

aimee21j

Agreed. Now almost essential that you have had some experience prior to a teacher training course. I have known people with excellent degrees not get onto these courses due to lack of experience. I volunteered at a school for 9 months (full time :eek:) before training. Of course you just do what you can, even if it's a morning a week.

loftus

You could also do as my son is doing if you want to do Secondary PE teaching. There is a dedicated 4 year Secondary PE degree leading to qualified teacher status. Not many universities offer it though.

Savvy_Sue

I presume you are currently involved in various sports and physical activities: I believe there is something called a Community Sports Leader's Award and by the look of it that could count towards University entrance. Plus it would probably get you some experience with children / young people.

No-one's mentioned it yet, but you MUST have GCSE passes at Grade C or above in Maths and English - or the equivalent. Do you?

Plus if you are REALLY determined to do this, you could study A levels at evening classes, carry on earning (and hopefully saving!). Don't know if you can do Access courses in this way, but worth looking into.

Whichever way you go, you WILL need to put some hard work in to achieve your ambition, but it's definitely not too late!

Rupa

Access courses can be full time (roughly four days a week at college for one year), or part time days (two days a week for two years) or pt evenings (two evenings a week for two years).

BEd in secondary education with PE can be done over three years at Uni. This will enable you to get a job in school teaching.





I think you must also have a GCSE in Science??? Not sure though.

Oldernotwiser

tawecdl wrote: »

so i'd need alevels 2 years
a degree 3 years
pgce 1 year

wow i'd be 30!!!

Did you expect it to be a one year college course?

Dan_Thunder

Judging from my old PE teachers the best advice would be to learn to hate children and also become really fat!

emjem_3

Dan_Thunder wrote: »

Judging from my old PE teachers the best advice would be to learn to hate children and also become really fat!

You obviously went to the wrong school Dan!

...I'm not fat and although I sometimes dislike some pupils some of the time I certainly don'y hate children.

The OP needs to make an appontment with a careers advisor to discuss options.

I did and would recommend a four year course from the beginning, rather than do a PGCE that way you get to do teaching practice ovre the four years rather than just in the final year through a PGCE.

Although many people (teachers included) are very negative about teaching/education/children etc it is a fantastic job and PE Depts especially are excellent environments to work in.

What sports do you play now and to what standard?