PE teacher

You can do a sport or physical education degree with qualified teacher status (QTS).

You can also complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), if you have a first degree without QTS. This can be done at university or on a school-based training programme.

There are more training options if you want to change career or specialise in teaching certain subjects.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements
• funding for teacher training
• postgraduate teacher training courses

You can get into this career through a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship, if you have a degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• GCSE science at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) for primary school teaching
• a degree for a teaching apprenticeship

More Information

• postgraduate teaching apprenticeships
• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You may be able to get into teaching, if you're a PE or sports graduate, by working as a sports coach in a school, then moving onto a teacher training programme.

You'll need coaching qualifications in your specialist sport to do this.

You'll find it helpful to get some experience of working with young people though this is not essential. You can do this through paid work or by volunteering at a school, doing youth work or coaching at a sports club.

Registration

• you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England

Career tips

You can attend teacher training events before you apply to get advice about the profession, the different training routes and funding. You can attend events in person and online.

Learning to drive is useful, as you may be expected to drive a minibus to take teams of pupils to sports events.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a teacher from Get Into Teaching.

You can also search for jobs through the Teaching Vacancies service.

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• be able to motivate and inspire pupils of all abilities to take part and learn new skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• leadership skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass numeracy and literacy skills tests
• pass enhanced background checks

You will:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials
• teach and coach a range of sports and physical activities to pupils of different ages and abilities
• manage class behaviour, motivate and encourage all pupils to take part
• work with learning support assistants to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
• set and mark assignments and prepare pupils for exams
• attend meetings and training
• talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
• work with other professionals such as educational psychologists, counsellors, social workers and mentors
• organise events like sports days, field trips and matches with other schools and colleges
• take registers, update records and write reports

You could work at a school or at a college.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.