Tony Macfadyen

Job title PE Teacher

Employer The University of Reading

What is the role of a PE teacher?

A PE teacher is responsible for planning, teaching and tutoring students in a school setting. They teach a range of different sports and provide young people with an opportunity to develop and improve their social and physical skills.

What does a typical day involve as a PE teacher?

A PE teacher job is a very busy, interactive, interesting and a fun profession to work in. It’s definitely never dull!

You teach PE lessons to 11-18 year olds and these also include examination PE classes. It does require lots of organisation, including organising after school clubs and fixtures.

Time is also spent planning lessons and units of work as well as reflecting on the latest research in journals such as Physical Education Matters, and thinking through the latest initiatives and Government polices so they have maximum benefit for pupils.

What do you love about your job as a PE teacher?

I love working with young people, and doing a job I love is extremely rewarding. It’s brilliant seeing young people grow and flourish.

Is it a tough vocation your job as a PE teacher?

All the paper work can be laborious, and getting stuck in traffic on the way home from a fixture isn’t great. Neither is getting soaked in the rain while you teach outside.

“I love working with young people, and doing a job I love is extremely rewarding. It’s brilliant seeing young people grow and flourish.”

How to get a job as a PE teacher?

There are various ways to get a job as a PE teacher. Try and do GCSE PE and post 16 qualifications that are relevant (A level PE; BTEC Sport). You can then do a B.Ed in Physical Education or a relevant undergraduate degree followed by a PGCE or Schools Direct (SD) course. If you take the latter route, which is better financially, try and pick a sports degree that is closely related to PE, such as BA Physical Education or BA Sports Coaching.

A sports science degree is less relevant.

What other experience will help people get a job as a PE teacher?

Doing a year in a school before applying to do a PGCE / SD is helpful (e.g. as a Cover supervisor or Learning Support Assistant). Work as a Play worker/youth worker in your holidays, or Camp America to gain experience working with children. Find experiences where you can coach young people – perhaps at your local sports club.

Salary Range?

Approx £21,000 to £34,000 (without London weighting)

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For more information on the PGCE PE programme at the University of Reading visit their website.

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