How to Become a PE Teacher in the UK: A Complete Guide

How to become a PE teacher? Just being passionate about sport is the first step. You also need the right qualifications, teacher training and experience working with young people. In the UK, most PE teachers need a degree, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and strong knowledge of physical education.

You can follow different routes, including university-based training, school-based programmes or teaching apprenticeships. During training, you learn how to plan lessons, manage pupils and create safe activities. After qualifying, PE teachers can work in schools and colleges, with opportunities to move into leadership, coaching or fitness roles.

Let’s discover how to become a PE teacher, including the required qualifications, training pathways, essential skills and future career opportunities. 

What Does a PE Teacher Do?

A PE teacher teaches students physical education through sports, exercise and practical activities. Their main goal is to help pupils improve physical skills, stay active and understand the importance of health and fitness. A PE teacher usually:

• Plans and teaches PE lessons: Creates lessons that teach sports skills, fitness activities and physical education topics.
• Teaches different sports: Helps students learn sports techniques, rules and teamwork through activities such as football, athletics, swimming and other games.
• Improves students’ physical skills: Supports pupils in developing coordination, strength, confidence and overall fitness.
• Adapts activities for students: Change lessons to suit different abilities and help every student take part.
• Assesses student performance: Track progress, give feedback and help students improve their skills.
• Maintains safety during activities: Check equipment, explain safety rules and manage risks during lessons.
• Supports school sports activities: Organise sports clubs, competitions, teams and events.

What is the Role of a Physical Education Teacher?

The role of physical education teacher goes beyond teaching sports and games. PE teachers help pupils build confidence, teamwork and self-discipline. They encourage children to stay active and improve their fitness. They also help pupils learn how to face challenges and keep trying.

PE lessons change as pupils grow. Younger pupils may learn basic skills, simple tactics, dance and outdoor activities. Older pupils can learn competitive sports, better techniques and game tactics. They may also learn how health and fitness affect performance. This helps pupils build both physical skills and life skills through PE.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a PE Teacher?

The right qualifications are important when training to become a PE teacher in England. You usually need GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above. A graduate training route also requires a bachelor’s degree. However, your degree does not always need to be in PE. Relevant A levels can also show your knowledge of sports and physical education.

Once you meet these academic requirements, you can focus on teacher training. Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is needed to teach in most state schools in England. If you have overseas qualifications, they must meet English teacher training standards. Checking these rules early can help you choose the right training route.

How to Become a PE Teacher After University?

If you already have a degree, you can choose a graduate teacher training route. You can train through a university or school-based programme. During training, you learn to plan lessons, teach PE and manage pupils. You also gain useful classroom experience.

A PGCE is a common training route for graduates. However, a PGCE and QTS are different. QTS gives you qualified teacher status. You usually need QTS to teach in most state schools in England. After training, you can apply for PE teaching jobs.

Which Teacher Training Routes Can PE Teachers Choose?

There are several ways to train as a PE teacher in England. Each route has a different way of learning and training. Some routes focus more on university study. Others focus on school work. Teacher apprenticeships can also combine work, study and training. Here are the main routes to help you understand the differences.

• University-Based: Study at a university and gain school experience during your course. This route can lead to QTS.
• School-Based: Spend more time training in a school. You learn by teaching pupils with support from experienced teachers.
• Postgraduate: Graduates can take a postgraduate teacher training course. Some courses include a PGCE and lead to QTS.
• Undergraduate Teacher Apprenticeship: Work, study and train at the same time. This route can take up to four years and can lead to QTS.
• Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship: Graduates can train while working in a school. This route usually takes around one year and can lead to QTS.
• Teacher Training With Sports Experience: Sports coaching experience can support your training. It can help you build useful skills for teaching PE.

How to Become a PE Teacher Without a Degree?

The usual route requires a bachelor’s degree. However, some training routes do not need one first. These include teacher degree apprenticeships and undergraduate teaching apprenticeships. An undergraduate apprenticeship lets you work, study and train at the same time. 

Sports coaching or school work can also give you useful skills. However, work experience alone does not make you a PE teacher. You still need proper teacher training and must meet the required teaching rules.

Which Skills and Qualities Does a PE Teacher Need?

A good PE teacher needs more than strong sports skills. You need to connect with pupils and help them enjoy learning. You also need to plan safe activities and manage your lessons well. These skills can help you become a confident and effective PE teacher:

• Communication: Explain sports, rules and tasks in simple words.
• Leadership: Lead lessons and help pupils work together.
• Patience: Support pupils who learn at different speeds.
• Organisation: Plan lessons, activities, records and school events.
• Motivation: Encourage pupils of different skills and abilities.
• Teamwork: Work well with pupils, teachers, parents and school staff.

How Much Does a PE Teacher Earn in the UK?

PE teachers can earn a good salary as they gain more experience. The National Careers Service lists £34,000 a year for new PE teachers. Experienced teachers can earn around £53,000 a year. Most PE teachers work 37 to 45 hours a week during term time.

Pay can differ based on your experience, school, location and role. London can have higher salary levels than some other areas. You may also get a pension and school holidays as part of the job. These benefits can add value to a PE teaching career.

Where Can PE Teachers Work in the UK?

PE teachers can work in schools and colleges across the UK. They teach children and young people how to stay active and enjoy sport. They can teach inside or outside depending on the lesson. PE teachers may use sports halls, playgrounds, fields or swimming pools. 

Also, PE teachers help pupils play for school teams and join sports events. With more experience, they can move into sports coaching, sports development or fitness jobs. So, PE teaching can open the door to several sports careers.

What are the Requirements to Be a PE Teacher?

The requirements to be a PE teacher can change by training route. Still, most people need the right education, skills and teaching status. The main requirements are:

• GCSE English and maths: Usually grade 4 or above.
• Bachelor’s degree: Needed for most graduate training routes.
• QTS: Usually required to teach in most state schools in England.
• PE knowledge: Understand sports, fitness and physical education.
• Experience with young people: School or sports coaching experience can help.
• Background checks: Required before you work with children.

How Can You Gain Experience Before Becoming a PE Teacher?

Practical experience can help you understand what teaching is really like. You can volunteer in schools, youth groups or sports clubs. Sports coaching is another good way to work with young people. These roles help you learn how to support pupils and manage different behaviours.

If you have a PE or sports degree, you can also work as a sports coach in a school. A coaching qualification can help you find these roles. This experience can build your confidence and show you what school life is like. It can also help you decide if PE teaching is right for you.

What Career Progression Can a PE Teacher Expect?

A PE teacher can grow into different roles as they gain experience. They can take on more duties within their school. This can include leading PE activities or supporting other teachers. Strong skills in teaching, planning and communication can also help with future roles.

With experience, some teachers move into roles such as leading specialist, head of department, deputy head or headteacher. Others move into sports coaching, sports development or fitness. Career paths can differ for each person. The skills and qualifications gained through PE teaching can support many future opportunities.

Final Thoughts

A career in PE teaching can be a great choice for people who enjoy sport and teaching. Knowing how to become a PE teacher helps you understand the steps ahead. The right qualifications, teacher training and school experience can prepare you for the role. Good communication, patience and sports knowledge also matter. With experience, you can explore careers in teaching, sports coaching, fitness and sports development. 

FAQs

1. How long will it take to become a PE teacher?

• It can take one to four years, depending on your training route. A postgraduate route can often take about one year.

2. Can I become a PE teacher without going to university?

• Yes, some apprenticeship routes let you train without going to university first. You still need approved teacher training and QTS.

3. What degree is best for a PE teacher?

• A sports or PE degree can be useful for this career. However, your degree does not always need to be in PE.

4. What qualifications do I need to teach PE?

• You usually need GCSE English and maths, teacher training and QTS. You also need the required background checks before teaching children.

5. Are PE teachers paid well?

• PE teachers can earn around £34,000 as starters and up to £53,000 with experience. Pay can change based on location, experience and role.

6. Is there a shortage of PE teachers in the UK?

• Teacher demand can change across subjects and areas. Check current teaching vacancies and government data for the latest position.