How to become a PE Teacher

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Career progression and salary expectations for a PE Teacher

Trainee PE Teacher

| Up to £20,000

This entry-level position involves assisting experienced teachers with planning and delivering PE lessons, supporting extracurricular sports activities, and gaining practical classroom experience.

PE Teacher

| Up to £30,000

As a PE Teacher, you'll plan lessons, assess student progress, and organise extracurricular sports programs. You'll also teach fundamental movement skills, promote physical fitness, and foster a love for sports and physical activity among students.

Head of Physical Education or PE Coordinator

| Up to £45,000

In this advanced position, you'll take on leadership responsibilities, such as overseeing the PE curriculum, mentoring junior staff, and coordinating sports events and competitions. You may also liaise with school administrators, parents, and external organisations to promote physical education and wellbeing initiatives within the school community.

The role of a PE Teacher

What does a PE Teacher do?

What do they do? When it comes to your education, sometimes you need to get physical…

PE Teachers are responsible for leading physical education lessons, teaching children about the fundamentals of fitness, as well as putting the rules of a range of different sports into practice.

Most commonly, they can be found working in secondary schools. However, PE teachers can also work in primary schools, in colleges, or lead dedicated afterschool activities. Additionally, some PE teachers may take on teaching duties for other subjects as part of their full-time position.

Typical duties for a PE Teacher could include:

Preparing lesson plans
Assessing ability levels, and tailoring activities
Motivating and encouraging students
Teaching about the principles of fitness, and game rules/theory
Marking work and grading exams
Discussing pupils progress with parents and carers
Organising games and events (both internally, and with other schools)

Is a career as a PE Teacher right for me?

To become a PE Teacher, you’ll need a good level of physical fitness – not to mention an active interest in sport.

Additionally, perhaps more than any other teaching positon, excellent motivation skills are an absolute necessity. Some students might have the potential to excel in certain sports, but without the right level of self-belief and encouragement, they may never realise their true potential.

Being able to confidently pull off the shorts look all-year-round may also help, but is not necessarily essential…

Key skills for a PE Teacher include:

Excellent communication skills
Organisational skills
Empathy
The ability to spot potential
Patience and tact
Trustworthiness and reliability

What's it like to be a PE Teacher?

"I pretty much live and breathe sport, so after going to University to do a Sport Science degree, becoming a PE Teacher just seemed like the perfect career move for me. The best part of the job is that I generally get to spend my time out in the open, helping kids develop a real passion for sport. For some young people, it can be completely life-changing, helping them find something they’re good at and gain acceptance amongst their peers. It isn’t always easy, and not everyone will share your enthusiasm (especially when it’s raining and horrible out), but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Especially when it’s rugby season…"

Get qualified as a PE Teacher

To become a PE Teacher, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in Physical Education or a related field, along with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which can be obtained through programs like a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Practical experience through teaching placements or coaching sports teams is invaluable, and additional training in PE-specific topics may be necessary through a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. Completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is also mandatory.

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