Teacher - Secondary School - Physical Education

You’d inspire and motivate young people to study and learn about sport, fitness and health. You’d help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

You would teach young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

You would specialise in physical education (PE). You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

There’s national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence and National Qualifications, which you would use when planning your teaching.

As a PE teacher you’d have a key role in encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing, and helping them understand why and how to keep themselves fit and healthy.

You’d teach different sports and physical activities and might coach school teams for competitions. You’d make sure that the pupils exercise safely and understand how the human body works.

You would:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials

• assess students’ progress and mark their work

• set homework

• manage behaviour in the classroom, the sports field and gym hall

• discuss students' progress with parents and carers

• organise sports events and matches with other schools and colleges

You’d encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to take part in activities so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You’d need to attend meetings and training courses. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables, and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.

• Teach in Scotland - About a career in teaching: how to apply, studying, early career and professional development

• General Teaching Council for Scotland – interactive career path from the professional body for teachers in Scotland

• Education Scotland: Curriculum information, and advice and resources for teachers in Scotland

• Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme