• Learn through classroom experience, applying theory to your teaching practice to develop the skills to teach young people in the secondary education phase
• Study the scientific principles of physical education and sport, with applied practical activities (eg athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, health, swimming, outdoor and adventurous activities)
• Develop your expertise in the classroom with the support of a strong partnership between the University and your placement school
• Gain a qualification that includes recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Explore issues in teaching, learning and assessment
• Benefit from an experienced University teaching team
• 95% of recent graduates were in employment or further study within 6 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018)
• The course has achieved 100% overall student satisfaction for 4 consecutive years (National Student Survey, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Units

• Developing Physical Literacy Through Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA007-1) Compulsory
• Developing Physical Literacy Through Games, Oaa And Health (PBA006-1) Compulsory
• Foundations For Learning Teaching And Inclusion (PBA004-1) Compulsory
• Scientific Foundations Of Physical Education (PBA005-1) Compulsory
• Applied Physical Literacy Through Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA008-2) Compulsory
• Applied Physical Literacy Through Health, Games And Oaa (PBA007-2) Compulsory
• Teaching And Learning In Schools (PBA009-2) Compulsory
• Theoretical Frameworks For Physical Education (PBA006-2) Compulsory
• Developing Pedagogy In Athletics And Games Activities (PBA021-3) Compulsory
• Movement Replication In Gymnastics And Swimming (PBA020-3) Compulsory
• Pedagogies For Practical And Classroom Contexts (PBA032-3) Compulsory
• Processes And Products - Reflections On Practice In Dance And Oaa (PBA019-3) Compulsory
• Reflecting On Education (PBA035-3) Compulsory
• Teachers And The Pastoral Curriculum (PSA007-3) Compulsory
• Cultural Perspectives On Teaching Physical Education (PSA002-6) Compulsory
• Promoting Health And Wellbeing In Schools (PSA003-6) Compulsory
• Reflecting On Teaching (PSA001-6) Compulsory
• The Action Research Project (PSA004-6) Compulsory

The assessment strategy is based upon the premise that critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives as they apply to your own teaching is an intrinsic element of best teaching practice. Throughout the course, therefore, you will continually be encouraged to explore what is known about teaching and learning, and to demonstrate independence and creativity in evaluating the relevance of that knowledge in your own context. Assessed work will be directly applicable to your future role as a teacher and predominantly include essays, reflective writing, reports, presentations and portfolio. During your placements you will be assessed directly against the Teachers' Standards. In years one and two you will complete in-class tests to assess your developing knowledge and understanding. Sound subject knowledge is a fundamental quality of an effective teacher and you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing development of that knowledge throughout the course. Also key to the course is a focus on the development of research informed teaching, culminating in an extended systematic study of your own practice (action research project/dissertation). For study at level 7 (Integrated Masters) your work will need to consistently evidence your ability to critically analyse and evaluate practice, methodologies and research. By embedding the professional requirements for Qualified Teacher Status within the academic requirements of the degree, the course supports you in developing the qualities which define the University of Bedfordshire Graduate Teacher: an independent, reflective, creative, innovative, collaborative and resilient professional who is committed to ongoing personal and professional development. The assessment for this course seeks to support you in developing your understanding of the interplay between theoretical perspectives and practice based experience. You will be developing your skills of research and evaluation, critical thinking, creativity and independence. The themes for your reflective writing are developed from local and national priorities and, therefore, allow you to develop the evidence of your understanding of values and principles underpinning the Teachers Standards as they apply to your working context. (Superficial statements of performance against the standards oppose the principles which underpin this course and are not accepted). By building your reflections around these themes, you will generate rich evidence which can contribute to the assessment of your professional performance. Hence, the assessment items are intrinsically connected and, in combination, allow you to demonstrate your achievement of all learning outcomes. The Profile Review Point is the process by which the mentor reviews your progress in your teaching practice. The Teachers Standards (2012) provide the framework by which this progress is judged and are supplemented with descriptors which support you in understanding the qualities which define the level at which you meet the standards. The Teachers Standards Descriptors are included in School Experience documentation. Formative use of assessment is embedded throughout the course and is a principle which we would expect you to adopt in your own teaching. You will be supported to become familiar with self- and peer-assessment approaches and to make effective use of feedback on both academic and practice-based aspects of the course, to identify targets for your ongoing development and plan actions to address them. Engagement with published research is a fundamental aspect of the course and you will be supported in developing skills of critical analysis of the literature. Rigorous attention to referencing conventions is, therefore, essential and you will be required to adopt the Harvard system. You will be supported in developing your understanding of plagiarism and poor academic practice to ensure that your work meets the highest standards of ethics.

Local and national demand for University of Bedfordshire graduate teachers is high. Recent annual destinations surveys show that typically 95-100% of graduate teachers will have secured full-time teaching posts to begin in the year of graduation.

For those who wish to gain promotion within schools, evidence shows that this is highly likely, with many graduates securing a variety of leadership responsibilities. Recent graduates are now in roles such as Head of Department, Head of Year, Head of House, Assistant Head, Deputy Head and even Head Teacher. Other graduates who wanted to work in education internationally are now in teaching and leadership positions around the world.

If you decide that school teaching is not for you there are opportunities for you to use the skills that you have gained in other areas of training, coaching and adult education as well as more broadly in sports or education organisations. Occasionally, other graduates use their transferable knowledge, skills and understanding in unrelated fields and industries.

 

 

Gateway Building

The Gateway Building located at the entrance of the Bedford campus holds a wide range of facilities including the main reception, student information desk, a café on the ground floor, large lecture theatres as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on all floors.

Part of the University's 'greening of the campus' initiative, the £25m investment in the Gateway includes a number of sustainable and low carbon technologies such as rainwater harvesting. The project team are aiming towards a BREEAM sustainability rating of 'excellent'.

Campus Centre

The Bedford Campus Centre holds the large 280 seat professional theatre on the ground floor and the 80 seat studio theatre on the first floor as well as a box office just inside the entrance where students, staff and the wider community can get tickets for the variety of student performances that are held by our School of Media & Performance

Also on the ground floor is the main campus café which offers a wide variety of tasty food & drink and is a great social space for meeting friends and group working.

Bedford Campus Accommodation

The University guarantees accommodation to all new students.

Choose from Liberty Park's en-suite study bedrooms or the Student Village which offers standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities, and en-suite rooms with a private shower. All have fully-equipped kitchens.

Our rooms are on-campus and have easy access to the town centre and train station.

Sports Science Labs

Our specialist labs give students a fantastic environment to develop their research skills and expertise, where a student can explore the biology of an elite athlete who could be performing simultaneously within the sports hall.

Few Sport Science courses in the country offer students such unique discipline leading research experience and skills, alongside intimate access to world leading researchers within their field. Students are regularly offered the opportunity to be involved within discipline defining Sport, Health and Exercise Science research

Our state-of-the-art laboratories are purpose built for research and teaching in the fields of exercise and nutrition science. This includes specialised equipment and facilities for assessing human health risk and delivering exercise and diet interventions for health promotion.

Campus Theatres

Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.

Our theatres welcome new and existing audiences to see a range of student work including contemporary dance, theatre and performing arts; holding regular performances. The performance facilities are designed to emulate professional working conditions.

Aspire Gym - Bedford

The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility.

There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.

Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.

Teacher Education Centre

The teacher education centre is set out over a number of blocks on campus containing realistic mock classrooms for students to learn and train within.

As part of this our Forest School also provides the opportunity for teachers to be trained in outdoor learning and the educational benefits of outdoor play.

We have a long-established history in teacher training and education with over 500 partnerships with schools, colleges and other organisations.

Sports Hall & Fields

The sports hall is an integral space in the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, complementing discipline leading Sport and Exercise Science and modern biological analysis laboratories, all co-located on the Bedford campus.

The sports hall is proud to host all Bedfordshire Bulls students' sports matches as well as national standard sporting events including British University College Sports championships – one of the few indoor sporting venues in the county to host prestigious tournaments all year round.

The facility also plays host to a number of University promoted Get into Sport activities which are open to all University students and staff.

Alongside the large sports hall the campus is surrounded by sports fields and a multi-use games area for the University's Sport and Physical Education degree students.

Bedford - Location

The Bedford campus is located just outside the centre of town within easy walking distance. For students and staff travelling by train we also run a free regular bus service from Bedford Station to the Campus. Bedford has excellent transport links to the rest of the UK as it sits between the M1 and the A1. The town connects by train to Luton (20 minutes) and London (40 minutes).