Physical Education

The West Midlands Consortium has successfully managed School Centred Initial Teacher Training Courses since 1993. It is made up of a number of outstanding Secondary Schools in the West Midlands Area. The majority of these schools have been awarded Specialist School status. The Lead School is Thomas Telford School, a City Technology College, which was the most successful comprehensive school in the country in 2000/2001 based on 100% of its students gaining 11 or more GCSEs at Grade C or above.

Course Details

PGCE teachers at the swiming pool The scheme in Physical Education is aimed at preparing students to teach all areas of National Curriculum Physical Education at Secondary level. It aims to develop all trainees to become reflective practitioners through an evaluative process of their own skills. Trainees are supported and encouraged to develop ideas in the delivery of the full Attainment Target in Physical Education across the six practical Activity Areas. Classroom practice is also considered as more work within the subject is now being delivered though examination work in the classroom. An audit of skills is conducted to ascertain the levels of knowledge and this is then enhanced by a strong programme reinforced with opportunities to obtain Governing Body awards. GCSE, AGCE, and a range of vocational and leadership courses in Physical Education and Leisure and Recreation are experienced by all trainees and resources for all courses are explored. Use of Information and Communications Technology is covered and a range of information handling skills developed to enhance teaching and administration. Innovative software to assist teaching and learning in Physical Education is used in the training of all students. All trainees experience two separate school placements in the locality and are supported by a strong group of Subject Mentors and Consortium Staff. A supplementary subject, to be taught to Key Stage 3 level, is required of all trainees and five National Curriculum Core or Foundation subjects are offered. Training for these comes in the second term just prior to the second and longest school placement. Training during the first term focuses on the main subject of Physical Education with a day a week during the first two terms spent on a range of professional studies issues.

Athletics coachingThe course is assessed throughout the 40 weeks against the current DfES/TTA Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status and by 3 x 4,000 word assignments devised to support your progressive learning towards securing a teaching post.

The course has had a 100% successful 1st destination list as all course members have secured full time, permanent teaching posts since 2000/2001.

Typical Timetable of Study for course