PE teacher
Physical education (PE) teachers work in schools and colleges, teaching sport and fitness to young people.
Also known as: Physical education teacher
- Starter salary£33,000 a year
- Experienced£51,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a PE teacher, you could:
- plan lessons and coaching sessions
- teach a range of sports and physical activities to students of different ages and abilities
- motivate students to fulfil their potential
- set and mark assignments, and update school records
- talk to parents and carers about their children's progress
- work with other professionals like mentors, educational psychologists and social workers
- organise sports days, field trips and matches with other schools and colleges
Working environment
You could work at a school or at a college.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
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
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- leadership skills
- knowledge of English language
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a pE teacher
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
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
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Teacher Level 6 Apprenticeship.
The undergraduate option takes up to 4 years to complete. The postgraduate route takes around 1 year, with both leading to qualified teacher status (QTS).
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 postgraduate teaching apprenticeship
Work
If you're a PE or sports graduate, you may be able to get into teaching by working as a sports coach in a school or college, then move onto a teacher training programme.
You'll need coaching qualifications in your specialist sport to do this.
Volunteering
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.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
A driving licence would be useful, as you may be expected to drive a minibus to take school teams to sporting fixtures and competitions.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a leading practitioner, supporting teaching staff, particularly those relatively new to the profession. You might also gain promotion to head of department, deputy head or headteacher.
The Get Into Teaching website has more information on how to develop your career .
You could use your skills and experience to move into the coaching, sports development or fitness industries.
Career tips
You can attend a Get Into Teaching event before you apply to get advice about teaching, funding and the different training routes available. You can attend events in person and online.
Registration
- you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in a state school in England
Guides for this industry
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