Course description
Course Summary
As part of all childrens' education, Physical Education represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to pupils' development both as part of the National Curriculum and in many other aspects of life. This course aims, by drawing on outstanding expertise and experience in both Education and Sport Sciences, to help develop the knowledge and skills required to help others develop their potential and improve both their mental and physical wellbeing.
Trainees are recruited from a range of backgrounds. Non-standard applications and applications from ethnic minorities are particularly welcome.
The University works in partnership with local schools for initial teacher education through a professional tutor system (teachers in school who act as monitors during school placements) which not only helps to ensure that courses are meeting the needs of schools but also gives students a sound appreciation of the profession.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
All primary and secondary courses meet Government requirements. Successful completion of the PGCert programme and evidence of achieving the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) will lead to the award of a PGCert with recommendation for QTS. These Standards include the National Skills Tests for numeracy, literacy and ICT.
Course Structure
The programme consists of three main types of experience:
1. General Professional Studies
This will focus on those issues of common interest to all secondary school teachers. This will include:
* inclusion and special education needs, including needs for the most able
* assessment and its role in promoting learning
* whole school policies
* equal opportunities
* English as an additional language
* teachers' legal responsibilities
* professional learning
2. Subject studies in Physical Education
This is to make sure that trainees have a firm grounding in all areas of physical education covered by the National Curriculum. Although the course covers the 11-18 years age range, particular emphasis for the purpose of QTS assessment will be given to the 11-16 age range. The course includes an introduction to curriculum organisation, methods of working and safety, or how to use information and communication technology in the teaching of the subject.
3. Experience in two different schools
At least two-thirds of the course is school-based in line with Department for Education and Skills (DfES) requirements. During school-based work, trainees will develop and extend knowledge, skills, competence and experience to work across either the primary or secondary age range, depending on an individual's specialism. The following will be developed:
* subject knowledge and application related to the National Curriculum
skills in planning;
* ability to monitor and assess children's progress;
* understanding and skill in supporting and meeting a range of learning needs;
* experience in other activities that are part of the teacher's role, such as pastoral care, outings, meeting parents, and writing reports.Top of Page
Course Content
The undergraduate and PGCert Secondary courses in Physical Education at Brunel University have a national reputation for high quality Initial Teacher Training in the subject area. Recent OfSTED inspections have confirmed that we are one of the top institutions in the country for the training of Physical Education teachers. The course aims are to ensure that trainees are able to:
* think critically about what it means to be physically educated and how this informs curriculum planning and design within the subject area;
* apply a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Physical Education National Curriculum (PENC) to the planning of curriculum experiences for pupils in school;
* demonstrate competence and confidence in your ability to teach across all six PENC areas of activity as the contexts for pupil learning in Physical Education, with an understanding of the principles of continuity and progression in learning;
* utilise a range of teaching strategies within the subject area to meet the identified learning needs of a wide range of pupils;
* understand the importance of safe practice in Physical Education and use a wide range of class management strategies which maximise pupil learning;
* understand the principles of inclusion within Physical Education and apply these to ensure equality of opportunity for all pupils in the subject area;
* understand national frameworks for assessment within the subject area and use these to support the recording and analysis of data, and the subsequent use of this to plan the next phase of learning;
* use subject knowledge and relevant specifications to plan and deliver the 14-19 curriculum in Physical Education including examination and vocational courses;
* explore the relationships between Physical Education and sport within current national and government frameworks and actively contribute to school sport programmes whilst on placement;
* utilise a range of ICT resources to enhance pupil learning in Physical Education;
* recognise the contribution that Physical Education makes as part of the whole school curriculum to the development of the individual learner;
* raise the status of the subject area by demonstrating high standards of professionalism at all times.
Modules (all core)
* General Professional Education
* Planning, Teaching and Assessment
* Subject Knowledge ands Understanding: Inclusive Practice
* QTS Skills Test
* School Experience (two modules)
Trainees normally spend eight weeks in school for the first School Experience module and the final synoptic module is compulsory for all trainees (usually of eight weeks).
