Interested In Becoming a PE Teacher?

We are often asked for advice about the best way to go about training to be a PE Teacher or what qualifications are required to apply for a teaching job in PE and School Sport.   We hope the information here is useful and we are always happy to talk to applicants looking for a position teaching PE and the many teaching and management roles now available in the world of PE and School Sport.  The information is very general and the requirements Schools can vary enormously. The needs of state schools verses independent schools can be very different especially if you are particularly skilled in a particular sport (s). 

(We would always suggest that you find out as much information as possible before committing to any course or career path as information, qualifications, funding, requirements, pay rates etc continually change and we cannot be held responsible for any content or links given.)

Most British Schools require their teachers to hold a recognised Teaching Qualification to teach in their schools.  Applicants with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) will generally be given priority over those who do not hold it and some schools will not employ teachers without QTS. 

Degree courses may be awarded with QTS as part of the qualification (eg "BSc in PE With QTS") or alternatively QTS can be achieved by completing an additional Post Graduate Teaching course such as a PGCE or a GTP. (Course titles normally state whether QTS is included.)  PE Degree courses with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) can be found from UCAS www.ucas.co.uk

PGCEs normally take an addition 1 year at University. PE PGCE courses can be found through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) www.gttr.ac.uk

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work.  On a GTP you would be employed by the school, earn a salary and work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) all at the same.   Please note that schools do not normally recruit for these types of positions through PE Recruitment.). See the link for more details at The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA)

www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/thetrainingprocess/typesofcourse/employmentbased/gtp.aspx

Careers advice and Teacher Training information (including the various routes into teaching), is available from many sources including School and College Careers Officers and Course Leaders / Tutors. 

The National Careers Advice Service offers free and personal advice about careers, courses and funding.  Tel: 0800 100 900 from 8am - 10pm Mon - Sun.  www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk

Other information regarding routes into teaching information can also be found at the Dept of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) teacher support website:

www.teachernet.gov.uk