How to Become a PE Teacher
If you’re passionate about sports and physical activity and love working with young people, you might be wondering how you can turn that passion into a job. One way you can do this is through teaching PE in a school. Physical Education is vital to the school curriculum, helping children develop physical skills and resilience and become lifelong participants in physical activity. So, how do you become a PE teacher, and what does the role really involve?
How to Become a PE Teacher in England
There are different pathways to becoming a PE teacher in England, but all involve gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is a legal requirement for teaching in state schools.
There are different routes to achieving QTS in England:
- University-led PGCE: A one-year full-time course combining academic study with school placements. Click here for more information on PGCEs.
- School Direct or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training): Train directly in a school, usually with a linked university. For more information on School Direct training, click here.
- Undergraduate routes: Some universities offer 3- or 4-year BA/BSc degrees with QTS built in. Click here for more information about undergraduate teacher training.
- Apprenticeship route: The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is a paid, school-based route to QTS. For more information on apprenticeships, click here.
What Are the Physical Education Teacher Requirements Beyond Qualifications?
In addition to the official PE teacher qualifications, people who want to work in education will need a clear DBS certificate. This is a background check to ensure that they are suitable for an educational setting. Teachers also need a strong knowledge of a wide range of physical activities, excellent communication and organisation skills, and a genuine passion for helping young people enjoy physical activity.
What to Expect in the Job
Being a PE teacher is an incredibly varied and rewarding role. No two days are ever the same, which makes it hard to explain exactly what to expect as a PE teacher. However, most teachers’ day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Delivering structured PE lessons to meet the curriculum requirements
- Teaching a range of activities, including dance, gymnastics, athletics, games, and swimming
- Assessing pupils' progress in their PE
- Running after-school clubs, sports fixtures and school teams
- Managing equipment, maintaining safety standards and promoting active lifestyles
- Contributing to whole-school wellbeing
PE teachers can take on roles such as:
- PE subject leader or head of department
- Pastoral or leadership roles (e.g. head of year)
- Specialist roles in SEND, outdoor education, or health and wellbeing
- Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) positions for additional duties
Want Support with PE Planning?
Whether you’re already teaching or just starting your journey, The PE Hub provides high-quality resources, curriculum maps and assessments to support effective PE delivery in primary schools.