Students gain Football Association Secondary School Teachers award

Student PE teachers on the PGCE and School Connect routes experienced an intensive day with FA coaching staff.

They learnt how to maximise learning time in PE lessons and how to promote the holistic development of pupils through a four models games approach to learning. They were also guided in how to adapt their lessons for a range of different pupils and embed assessment for learning strategies.

As a result of the activities all successfully gained a Football Association Secondary School Teachers award designed specifically for teachers.

The course was part of their PE CPD for teachers programme designed to enhance the delivery of high-quality Physical Education for children within Key Stages 3-4 (ages 11-16).

PGCE and School Connect PE route leader, Dr Gary Stidder said: “The popularity of football in schools has always meant that it has been part of the Secondary School curriculum. Since the England women’s national team won the Euro 2025 final again in Switzerland this summer and reaching the World Cup Final in Australia, interest in the game amongst girls continues to explode.

“This FA accredited course provided our trainee PE teachers with essential transferable skills and subject knowledge and how to use football in imaginative ways and engage all pupils of all abilities. The course was pedagogically informed and was a very useful form of professional development.”