Professional development
For BA Hons Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status [QTS].
For students working on an undergraduate degree over four years to become qualified teachers of secondary physical education, it is vital to acquire not only the necessary practical [e.g. in games and athletics] and theoretical [e.g. in physiology and social science] subject knowledge, but also professional insights and experience. While subject knowledge contributes towards the award of an honours' degree, other experiences assist the gaining of another qualification, namely the award of qualified teacher status.
In practice, however, it is not so easy to divide up course experiences into those parts which are directed wholly towards the academic degree, and other parts associated with professional development alone. Good teachers of physical education clearly need to possess sound subject knowledge; perceptive students of physical education have insight into the contexts and manner in which it takes place, or fails to. As a result, students on the four year course will be continually acquiring subject knowledge invaluable for professional duties, and simultaneously deepening professional understanding through related natural scientific, sociological, or other theoretical studies. One of the advantages of this four year course is the gradual interplay of different considerations in the development of students who leave with a professional as well as an academic degree qualification.
At strategic times in the course the application of academic and professional knowledge occurs during periods spent in secondary schools. Students learn about how schools in general and physical education departments in particular operate; observe experienced teachers of physical education at work; note the responses of pupils to their physical education curriculum; engage in team teaching; and gradually take responsibility for planning, teaching, assessing, and evaluating lessons. Such experiences are rich in professional development for the student who is academically prepared to learn from them.
Professional development profile.
Throughout the course students are guided to maintain a professional development profile [PDP] which records their progress towards attaining the professional standards needed to be recommended for QTS. Into this profile, which indicates all the standards needed, are added details such as audits of course entry competencies; action plans to work towards attaining particular standards; reflection on relevant experiences; self-assessment notes; evidence from lecturers and placement tutors; course transcripts indicating success in acquiring professionally relevant knowledge; and information from other sources. Maintenance of the profile over the four years ensures all the evidence relating to professional development is well documented and ready for presentation to gain the award of QTS.
Other professionally relevant experiences.
Alongside the course are opportunities to gain professional development through a variety of other means. These, where relevant to the standards for QTS, can be recorded in the PDP too. They include development of sporting skills and dance experiences through regular membership of a university-based team or club; registration through the Sport and Recreation department of the University for a course leading to a governing body award; voluntary work with children in a sporting or dance environment, both during term time and in vacations; taking opportunities to gain experience at officiating in sport events; membership of a sports club not affiliated to the university; and working towards and attaining other awards, such as those in first aid and life-saving.