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Can you become a secondary PE teacher having done Primary PGCE (with PE)

I'm keen to train to become a PE teacher, however as I didn't study PE at A Level or undergraduate level (I'm now 27) I can't get onto any of the Secondary PE PGCE's. I was told by one university I spoke to that one route into PE teaching is to do a Primary PGCE with PE, so I applied for one starting in September and subsequently got a place on it.Does anyone know how easy it is/if it's possible at all to transition into becoming a secondary PE teacher having done a PGCE Primary with PE? I've read that some schools will take you on and train you on the job. I'm assuming that it will help that I have QTS in a years time (hopefully!) as well. I've done plenty of coaching, played numerous sports to a very high level etc, I just wouldn't have the subject knowledge to teach PE in the classroom.Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you!
When you qualify as a teacher you can be employed to teach any subject and age group. The problem you will have with PE is that there is already a very healthy supply of PE teachers for secondary and there really isn't much need to take someone who has not trained directly to teach it. That being said, if your own sporting abilities are indeed 'very high level' then you might find this persuades schools to give you a chance, especially those with a stronger focus on their sports teams. I suspect if you are patient and make an effort to try to learn the secondary material so you can demonstrate this to schools then you will be able to find something - especially if you are flexible geographically.
Original post by betty312
I'm keen to train to become a PE teacher, however as I didn't study PE at A Level or undergraduate level (I'm now 27) I can't get onto any of the Secondary PE PGCE's. I was told by one university I spoke to that one route into PE teaching is to do a Primary PGCE with PE, so I applied for one starting in September and subsequently got a place on it.Does anyone know how easy it is/if it's possible at all to transition into becoming a secondary PE teacher having done a PGCE Primary with PE? I've read that some schools will take you on and train you on the job. I'm assuming that it will help that I have QTS in a years time (hopefully!) as well. I've done plenty of coaching, played numerous sports to a very high level etc, I just wouldn't have the subject knowledge to teach PE in the classroom.Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you!

What second subject could you offer at Secondary?
You will struggle as a lot of PE vacancies aren't struggling for candidates. What is your undergrad degree - it might be better doing a PGCE to teach your undergrad subject and then go in via that route, rather than the PGCE Primary PE. Alternatively, you can do the PGCE Primary PE and teach primary PE - it's becoming popular for schools to have a teacher that teaches PE across the school.
Reply 4
Original post by Muttley79
What second subject could you offer at Secondary?

Psychology
Reply 5
Original post by Muttley79
What second subject could you offer at Secondary?

Psychology

Original post by bwilliams
You will struggle as a lot of PE vacancies aren't struggling for candidates. What is your undergrad degree - it might be better doing a PGCE to teach your undergrad subject and then go in via that route, rather than the PGCE Primary PE. Alternatively, you can do the PGCE Primary PE and teach primary PE - it's becoming popular for schools to have a teacher that teaches PE across the school.

Thanks this is really helpful! My undergrad degree was psychology, something I've looked into as well
Original post by betty312
Psychology

I echo @bwilliams comments ... either specialist Primary PE or look to rain in Psychology. Psychology doesn't fill a full-time teaching post so that plus KS3 PE would work ... what were your other A levels?
Reply 7
Original post by Muttley79
I echo @bwilliams comments ... either specialist Primary PE or look to rain in Psychology. Psychology doesn't fill a full-time teaching post so that plus KS3 PE would work ... what were your other A levels?

Thank you for your reply, annoyingly I didn't do A Level Psychology which is a requirement for most Psychology PGCE courses I believe. I did History, RS and Art for A Level and am not particularly keen on teaching any of those at secondary level. Perhaps the best route is to stick with the Primary PGCE with PE, as I already have a place on a course, and pursue a career specialising as a PE teacher in primary. In the long run I am also interested in educational psychology and so any teaching role would be useful to pursue a career in this later in life. Many thanks for your help!
Original post by betty312
Thank you for your reply, annoyingly I didn't do A Level Psychology which is a requirement for most Psychology PGCE courses I believe. I did History, RS and Art for A Level and am not particularly keen on teaching any of those at secondary level. Perhaps the best route is to stick with the Primary PGCE with PE, as I already have a place on a course, and pursue a career specialising as a PE teacher in primary. In the long run I am also interested in educational psychology and so any teaching role would be useful to pursue a career in this later in life. Many thanks for your help!

Really? I would have thought a degree was enough -

Yes if you've already got a place then do go ahead. The sports funding has seen many Primary schools recruit specialist PE staff. You could also consider coaching a local sports team to get Secondary age experience.
PGCE for psych is unlikely to require an Alevel, your degree will be enough.
Just beware that the primary PE specialist vacancies are not very common - a lot of it is done in-house. E.g. a teacher already present in the school takes on the roll. It would be good to contact some schools in your local area or have a look at their websites - go to staff list and have a check to see if they have PE specialist staff or not. Then look for vacancies.

Good luck

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