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
- School Direct or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training): Train directly in a school, usually with a linked university
- Undergraduate routes: Some universities offer 3- or 4-year BA/BSc degrees with QTS built in
- Apprenticeship route: The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is a paid, school-based route to QTS
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.