Our Physical Education (PE) PGCE course continues the tradition of producing outstanding practitioners of secondary PE.
Why study Secondary Physical Education (PE)?
You will be assessed on your ability to teach pupils in the 11-16 age range, with opportunities for A level and BTEC teaching also included in the programme as appropriate.
By studying the course you will gain experience across a diverse range of secondary school settings and activity areas throughout the course.
Why St Mary's?
The PE PGCE course covers all aspects of physical education teaching and learning, with an emphasis on creative practice for use in school. There is a strong emphasis on using and developing a range of physical education models, as well as planning for the whole ability range to ensure that all pupils are able to make progress.
The experienced physical education tutors work in close partnership with trainees and the placement schools, developing collaborative practice embedded throughout the course.
If you wish to study for the Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies you will be able to complete several of the modules during your PGCE year. This certificate is often a requirement for teaching in a Catholic school.
School Placements
You are prepared for teaching in partnership with schools that are formally linked to St Mary's, providing an excellent framework to develop teaching skills.
During your studies you'll be allocated two school placements during the 36-week course. In total, 24 weeks is spent in school to ensure close links between theory and practice throughout.
Our partnership schools offer a rich and diverse training programme for our trainees. We work with partner schools throughout the London area. During your placements, you will be guided from working with small groups of pupils alongside a subject teacher towards taking responsibility for whole classes.
Teaching methods
The course tutors use a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including lectures, workshop sessions, collaborative and small-group work, paired work, practical activities, with positive use of technology, individual and group student presentations and some self-supported study.
A number of external cross-curricular visits - such as field trips and visits to museums - also take place.
This range of strategies both caters for a range of preferred learning styles and provides good teaching role models for trainees.
Assessment methods
Trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status by successfully meeting the Teachers’ Standards (DfE). Continuous assessment throughout the programme will determine success.
Master's level assignments complement the work in schools and assist in meeting the Teachers’ Standards. These assignments aim to encourage you to be thoughtful and reflective, but also reinforce the evidence-based nature of the course assessment.
Self-assessment is also recognised as a valuable perspective in the evaluation of both school and university-based work.
Other assessments are used to ensure students understand and can apply the knowledge. This is done through a range of methods:
- Self-assessment
- Presentations
- Micro-teaching
- Essays
- Practical sessions
- Lesson observations
Assessment is on-going and against the Teachers’ Standards. High standards of attendance, punctuality and participation are requirements of all course elements.
Key facts
- 100% of our 2015/16 Secondary PGCE graduates were in employment within six months (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education, HESA)
- Tutors are forward thinking and underpin delivery with research informed practice
- School collaborations and sharing good practice which includes, Hot seating of good practice – SEND project – Primary schools sports festival – Swimming teaching primary pupils one-to-one
- Strong PE community including PE mentors and local PE departments developed through high attendance at mentor training ,sharing of good practice and collaborative working
- Experienced link tutors who meet trainees’ and track progress by viewing work, profiles etc.
- Active participants in London AFPE providers working party
- Continual CPD and reduced costs coaching/umpiring courses: Trampolining; Handball
- OAA Field trip
- Use of technology and IT to enhance delivery – progress, reflexivity, trainees confidence in integrating into their own pedagogy
- Theoretical concepts and pedagogy delivered through practical sports settings to enhance subject knowledge