BA (Hons) Physical Education (Secondary Years)

Foundations of Learning and Teaching

This module aims to introduce you to learning theory and pedagogic practice in physical education and sport. The module seeks to develop your understanding of contemporary ideas of learning, and how this translates into teaching behaviours. 

You will begin to recognise the importance of research-informed practice in physical education.

The Enquiring Practitioner

While learning the technical components involved in the teaching and coaching of specific skills, you will also be introduced to fundamental biomechanical principles which impact performance.

The module will apply research and enquiry to real-life lived experiences that are associated with your potential future career paths.

Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in Education

This module will introduce you to outdoor adventure activities in an educational context typically focusing on KS2 and the start of KS3.  This may be the first time that you have experienced this area of study, and this module will help you develop the necessary knowledge and pedagogical skills that will allow you to operate effectively during your teaching career.

Knowledge and Understanding of Individual Activities (Aesthetics)

This module aims to analyse movement related to gymnastics and dance.

You will explore gymnastics in its broadest sense within elements identified as formal, educational, sporting and rhythmic.

You will use the application of biomechanical principles, including Laban technique, as you explore the evaluation of gymnastic and dance performance.

Principles of Play Through Invasion Games

You will participate in a range of practical sessions that will examine attacking and defensive principles of play, as you analyse the technical and tactical aspects of performance in invasion games.

Active Schools

Explore the issues surrounding physical education and its role in the health and activity agenda. Consideration of personal and social barriers and facilitators within and outside the school environment will also be given.

Theoretical Physical Education 1

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of some of the major concepts in theoretical physical education.

You will build on aspects of research and enquiry previously developed in ‘The Enquiring Practitioner’, to consider how they may be able to contribute to the area in the future through your own research and data collection.  

Theoretical Physical Education 2

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of some of the major concepts in theoretical physical education. The module will focus on providing you with an understanding of key concepts and how research in this area may be conducted.

You will build on aspects of research and enquiry previously developed in ‘The Enquiring Practitioner’, to consider how you may be able to contribute to the area in the future through your own research and data collection. 

Purposeful Practice for Games-Based Physical Education

You will participate in a range of practical sessions that will explore different types of practice and have the opportunity to design practices for developing technical, tactical, and/or physical aspects of games-based performance.

Pedagogical Skills in Track & Field Athletics and Swimming

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to develop your knowledge, understanding and personal performance of track and field athletics events and swimming strokes. You may have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and understanding of technical aspects by planning and leading small group sessions.

Striking and Fielding: Net and Wall Games

While learning the technical components involved in the teaching and coaching of specific skills, you will also be introduced to fundamental biomechanical principles which impact performance.

Conceptualising Sports Coaching

This module aims to take a very personal approach to conceptualising the sports coach and their working practices. Through a process of reflective and introspective activities, you will be encouraged to consider your identity as a coach and how this influences your practice; thus, the development of the beginnings of a philosophy of coaching is fundamental to the module.  

The concept of evidence-based practice underpins content which will explore and analyse contemporary issues in sports coaching. You will be expected to develop a critical understanding of coaching behaviours and be able to make applications to your coaching practice.  

Module content will reflect the fast-paced, continually evolving nature of sports coaching research and, as such, will be fluid in nature. Notwithstanding, learning content will be built around, but not limited to, fundamental concepts of the who (the coach, the learner), what (technical, tactical concepts), and how (coaching behaviours) of sports coaching.  

International Education

This module invites you to reflect on school systems unfamiliar to you through a professional placement. Your placement will reflect your career aspirations (primary, secondary), aiming to give rise to the opportunity of working abroad, whilst developing a vast array of employability skills.

The module will challenge you to consider yourself as a developing professional within the fields of physical education and sports pedagogy, whilst developing an appreciation for children who have English as an additional language (EAL). 

Pedagogical Behaviours in Practice

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to gain an understanding of the various pedagogical behaviours (coaching behaviours and teaching behaviours) (e.g. divergent questioning) that are utilised by sports coaches and teachers of physical education.

You will have the opportunity to lead practical sessions and implement the pedagogical behaviours discussed in the theoretical lectures and workshops.

You will need to critically reflect on the pedagogical behaviours that you applied and how these impacted participant performance and/or learning.  

Practical Pedagogy (Placement)

An opportunity to experience a placement within a practical setting. This module aims to develop and refine pedagogical skills so that you can enhance pupil/performer progress and learning within a practical environment.

Dissertation Project

This module is the culmination of previous learning and is the major element of your independent enquiry on your programme.

The module requires that you reflect on, and utilise the knowledge base, context, and application of taught modules, as well as placement experiences.

It is designed to encourage you to generate and explore your own ‘problem’ assisted by supervision from a tutor.

Managing Individual Differences and Behaviours

The module aims to build on your knowledge and understanding of effective teaching and coaching by understanding and applying principles of equality and inclusive practice. You will develop an understanding and critically evaluate the learning environment that actively promotes equality and inclusion for all learners. It will develop your pedagogical confidence and encourage you to think critically about your teaching and coaching. 

Indicative content will include ideology of inclusion, young people at risk of exclusion, teaching approaches and strategies to meet all pupils needs, and creating and maintaining a positive learning environment. The module will be delivered through a series of practical workshops supported by theoretical lectures and will include a school-based placement. 

Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in Education 2

This module aims to use a residential experience to explore the application of different OAA teaching methods to fulfil a range of pupil needs. This module enables you to build upon your understanding of what outdoor learning is and its uses; therefore, facilitating a critical evaluation of the process and output of residential experiences. 

Classroom Pedagogy

This module will use a series of lectures and workshops to explore curricula employed in classroom teaching such as:

• the national curriculum
• GCSE PE
• BTEC Sport
• A-level PE.

You will consider how schemes of work and lesson plans are developed for delivery in school and college classrooms.