1. Home: Explore careers
  2. PE teacher

PE teacher

Alternative titles for this job include Physical education teacher

Physical education (PE) teachers work in schools and colleges, teaching sport and fitness to young people.

Average salary (a year)

£17,682 Starter

to

£62,735 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

33 to 35 term time

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become a PE teacher

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

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:

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

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career through one of a small number of postgraduate teaching apprenticeships, if you have a degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Work

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.

Volunteering and experience

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

More information

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.

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.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • leadership skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You day-to-day duties may include:

  • preparing lessons and teaching materials
  • teaching classes of different ages and abilities
  • managing class behaviour
  • arranging matches with other schools and colleges
  • setting and marking assignments and preparing for exams
  • attending meetings and training
  • talking to parents and carers about their children's progress
  • organising events like sports days and field trips

Working environment

You could work at a school or at a college.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression

You could become a specialist leader of education, supporting teachers in other schools. You could also be a curriculum leader, head of department, deputy head or headteacher.

You could use your experience to work in coaching or sports development.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a PE teacher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

HE BSC HONS IN SPORTS COACHING (PERFORMANCE AND PARTICIPATION) FT

  • Provider: CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location: CHESTERFIELD

Sports Coaching and Performance Science - BSc Hons Degree - Topup

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2020
  • Location: Blackpool
Find courses near you

JobsIn the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No