Career Advice for a Physical Education Teacher

Working as a Physical Education Teacher, you will develop connections with students and encourage their engagement in PE programmes and activities.

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How to Become a Physical Education Teacher

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Physical Education Teacher

Should you wish to work as a Physical Education Teacher you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Physical Education Teacher

  • A minimum of four GCSEs.
  • 2 A Levels.
  • Sports or Physical Education Degree.
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
  • Bachelor’s Degree.

Key Responsibilities for a Physical Education Teacher

  • Developing engaging and fun activities that promote physical fitness.
  • Monitoring the participation and progress of students.
  • Teaching students the technical skills and techniques of individual and team sports.
  • Promoting the importance of healthy living and physical activity.
  • Maintaining accurate records.
  • Liaising with the broader teaching team and parents.

What to expect as a Physical Education Teacher

To become a Physical Education Teacher, you may attend teacher training events to gain an insight into the profession. You will need to use your teaching knowledge to build and design courses and your motivational skills to encourage active participation. You will need to pass an enhanced background check and take annual leave as directed by the school or learning establishment.

Recommended Physical Education Teacher Jobs

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How to get Physical Education Teacher Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Physical Education Teacher job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Physical Education Teacher application. If you have not held a Physical Education Teacher position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Physical Education Teacher role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Physical Education Teacher CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Physical Education Teacher application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Physical Education Teacher in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Physical Education Teacher 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Physical Education Teacher and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Physical Education Teacher experience.

How to get Physical Education Teacher Experience

What does it take to be a Physical Education Teacher? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Physical Education Teacher jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Physical Education Teacher through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Physical Education Teacher Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Physical Education Teacher part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Physical Education Teacher or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Physical Education Teacher freelance work

If you have impressive Physical Education Teacher qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.