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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
PGCE Physical Education Course Leader
I began my teaching career at Huish’s Grammar School in Taunton in 1977 where I was Master in charge of Rugby and Swimming, incidentally, whilst at Huish’s I taught the former England Coach Andy Robinson who captained the School 1st XV.
After five successful years in Taunton I was appointed Head of Physical Education and Games at The John Hampden School in High Wycombe before moving to Bedford in 1985 to take responsibility for PE and Games at Bedford Modern School.
As Director of PE and Games (and later as Director of Sport) at Bedford Modern School I coached the School 1st XV through a period of huge success, introduced GCSE and ‘A’ level PE, was a member of the Senior Management Team and taught Art as a second subject. During my fifteen years at Bedford Modern School I also started the Bedford Modern Holiday Course Scheme that continues to flourish, attracting large numbers of children aged between 4 and 14 years of age.
Whilst at Bedford Modern School I was the ITT mentor for both PGCE and BEd and BA students and it was this contact that initially ignited my interest in working in the Higher Education sector.
In 2001 I joined the staff at De Montfort University and have subsequently been promoted to not only leading the PGCE Physical Education course but I am also Head of Gymnastics and University Provost at the University of Bedfordshire.
In addition to the teaching of PE playing sport has also been a prominent part of my life. Having represented England Schools at 18 Group level I went on to play for England Under 23 XV and was a reserve for the full England XV. I played for Bristol and won 18 caps for Somerset in the County Championship.
During the summer months I enjoyed playing Water Polo and gained an International Trial. In holiday periods I participate in Windsurfing and Snowboarding activities and, having previously toured the world playing Rugby, I enjoy travelling albeit in a more relaxed mode.
I currently teach across a range of practical courses that have included three major courses Gymnastics, Rugby and Cricket. I take great pride in delivering well planned, stimulating and enjoyable activities that are designed to show the teachers of tomorrow how to teach effectively.
I firmly believe that all lectures should engage the participants and that the right balance of challenge, support, feedback and fun are essential.
Student and trainee evaluations on all of the courses that I teach have been consistently outstanding and have led to my being awarded two Vice Chancellor Distinguished Teaching Awards for the past two consecutive years, an achievement that I understand has never been equalled.
Prior to this year I also led the Preparing to Teach course that was designed to equip Sport Studies and Sport Science graduates for entry onto a PGCE PE course. This I found very illuminating in that I was able to develop a very good rapport with these students who considered my approach a ‘breath of fresh air’. Such was the relationship that I was able to develop with these students that they continually return to ask for my advice.
Across all of the courses that I teach on I have sought to re-vamp and update the content and presentation of lectures and have revised the assessment procedures and the course handbooks.
Gymnastics, for example is now a very popular choice of option at ‘major level’ whereas once it only attracted a small number of the more able ‘gymnasts’ During a recent Ofsted Inspect my teaching of Gymnastics was observed by the lead Inspector which resulted in an outstanding report.
Having spent many years teaching in schools the only noteworthy piece of research that I have engaged in relates to Gymnastics.
For my MA dissertation I investigated how pupil’s self-confidence affects performance and how such confidence can be increased.
This not only stimulated my interest in the teaching of Gymnastics but led to my exploring other issues in relation to ‘how to best teach Gymnastics effectively’.
When time permits I hope to carry on with my investigations and also to carry out some research in issues concerning PGCE training.
I am currently involved in the local community in numerous different activities. I often referee and coach local Rugby teams and referee school matches.
As part of a Gifted and Talented Scheme I organised a Training Day for talented Rugby players. Every year for the past three years I have written Rugby articles for the local paper which have been very well received.
More recently my duties as Provost have resulted in slightly different contact with the local community in that I am now heavily involved with maintaining good community relationships.
In this respect I feel that personal contact is important and that it is essential that local residents see that action has taken place when problems have arisen. I believe that maintaining a harmonious relationship with our neighbours is vital and in this respect my role as Provost is crucial if good relations are to continue.
My role as PGCE PE course leader involves considerable consultancy with outside agencies, particularly schools. In this respect I am often visiting schools to offer guidance and support with reference to the course procedures and paperwork and not least the trainees.
If not visiting my email and telephone line are almost always ‘hot’ dealing with individual concerns. I also meet school-based mentors on a more formal basis every term where different aspects of the training are discussed and planning for future improvements takes place.
I am also continually being consulted by both PGCE trainees, personal tutees and others in respect of writing applications for teaching posts and writing CV’s.
Indeed, at present a hugely time consuming role is in advising Sports Studies and Sports Science students how to apply for a place on a PGCE course and how to write their personal statements.
This I feel is a very important aspect of my role in that many of them have little support and guidance and unless they write a well-structured and relevant personal statement their application for a PGCE course is likely to be unsuccessful.
T: +44 (0)1234 793380
E: andy.whittle@beds.ac.uk
