Abstract
Previous studies have reported that generalist primary teachers lack the confidence and competence to teach Physical Education (PE). In response, schools have outsourced PE to external providers. This paper examines data from an online survey of 175 pre-service teachers (PSTs) in England and their perceived confidence to teach primary PE. Findings showed PSTs had high levels of confidence across a breadth of knowledge areas, specifically in areas relating to lesson planning, health and fitness and the subject’s aims. Conversely, knowledge confidence was lowest in swimming, assessment and working with external providers. This paper argues that to address teacher confidence in PE, teachers must be positioned back as the main curriculum deliverers. An outcome of this research has been the development of a professional knowledge model for primary PE which recognises a breadth of professional knowledge needed to become a primary physical educator.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 133-146 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 18 Mar 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 18 Mar 2019 |
Keywords
- Primary physical education
- initial teacher education
- teacher knowledge