EducationISCO 2330
Physical education teacher secondary school
A physical education teacher in a secondary school is a person who teaches physical education to pupils of secondary-school age as a subject specialist trained in that field. The teaching is practical, so the lesson is delivered in a hall, on a pitch or in a pool rather than from a desk.
Check yourself in a minute: physical education teacher secondary school
Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
personalise sports programme
prepare lesson content
monitor developments in field of expertise
compile course material
liaise with educational support staff
About physical education teacher secondary school
Preparation shapes the lesson. The teacher prepares lesson plans and materials, plans the sports training programme across a term, and follows developments in the specialist field. Information on sporting events feeds into the same planning, school competitions included.
Teaching a mixed class is the central difficulty. The teacher adapts teaching methods to each pupil's capability, in a group where physical ability varies widely, and takes account of learning difficulties that affect how an instruction is understood or a movement is learned. A pupil who cannot do what the class is doing has to be given something they can do.
The group itself needs managing. The teacher manages pupil relationships, maintains discipline which matters for safety when pupils are moving fast and using equipment, monitors each pupil's progress, helps individually where that is needed, and assesses knowledge and performance through practical tests and examinations.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (29)
sporting equipment usagesporting equipment usageThe correct operation, safe usage and maintenance of sporting equipment.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.sports competition informationsports competition informationThe information regarding latest results, competitions and events in the sporting industry.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.sport games rulessport games rulesThe rules and regulations of sport games such as football, soccer, tennis, and others.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.personalise sports programmepersonalise sports programmeObserve and evaluate individual performance and determine personal needs and motivation to tailor programmes accordingly and in conjunction with the participant.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.plan sports instruction programmeplan sports instruction programmeProvide participants with an appropriate programme of activities to support progression to the required level of expertise in the specified time taking into account relevant scientific and sport-speci...assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...correct potentially harmful movementscorrect potentially harmful movementsRecognise when a particpant performs a movement that could cause short or long term damage to the body. Respond with verbal instructions and/or physical demonstration to ensure competence is achieved.apply risk management in sportsapply risk management in sportsManage the environment and athletes or participants to minimise their chances of suffering any harm. This includes checking appropriateness of venue and equipment and gathering relevant sport and heal...demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.instruct in sportinstruct in sportProvide appropriate technical and tactical instruction related to the given sport using varied and sound pedagogical approaches to meet the needs of the participants and achieve the desired objectives...apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...motivate in sportsmotivate in sportsPositively foster athletes and participants' intrinsic desire to carry out the required tasks to fulfill their goals and to push themselves beyond their current levels of skill and understanding.liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.
Optional (32) — show
sport and exercise medicinesport and exercise medicinePrevention and treatement of injuries or conditions resulted from a physical activity or sport.biomechanics of sport performancebiomechanics of sport performanceThe biomechanical aspects of sport practice, typical movements, and terminology of technical movements.adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.sports nutritionsports nutritionNutritional information such as vitamins and energy pills related to a specific sporting activity.disability typesdisability typesThe nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled peop...sport historysport historyThe background history of players and athletes and the history of sport events and games.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...sporting eventssporting eventsPossess an understanding of different sporting events and conditions that can affect a result.features of sporting equipmentfeatures of sporting equipmentTypes of sporting, fitness and recreational equipment and sporting supplies and their characteristics.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.identify learning disordersidentify learning disordersObserve and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to t...consult student's support systemconsult student's support systemCommunicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...identify talentidentify talentIdentify talents and involve them in a particular sport.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.monitor children's physical developmentmonitor children's physical developmentRecognise and describe the development of children, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, respo...arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.develop competitive strategies in sportdevelop competitive strategies in sportCreate adequate competitive strategies to maximise chances of success in sport.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.organise trainingorganise trainingMake the necessary preparations to conduct a training session. Provide equipment, supplies and exercise materials. Ensure the training runs smoothly.promote balance between rest and activitypromote balance between rest and activityProvide information about the role of rest and regeneration in the development of sport performance. Foster rest and regeneration by providing appropriate ratios of training, competition and rest.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.follow trends in sporting equipmentfollow trends in sporting equipmentFollow material developments and trends within a specific sport. Keep up-to-date about athletes, gear and equipment manufacturers.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.identify cross-curricular links with other subject areasidentify cross-curricular links with other subject areasRecognise correlations and overlaps between your subject of expertise and other subjects. Decide on a levelled approach to the material with the teacher of the associated subject and adjust lesson pla...provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a physical education teacher secondary school do?
Physical education teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, physical education . They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of physical education through practical, usually physical, tests and examinations.
What skills does a physical education teacher secondary school need?
A physical education teacher secondary school needs 29 essential skills, including sporting equipment usage, learning difficulties, sports competition information, instructional strategies, sport games rules.
Will AI replace physical education teacher secondary school jobs?
The AI disruption score for physical education teacher secondary school is 20/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: sport games rules, keep records of attendance, sports competition information. Most resilient: motivate in sports, human anatomy, escort students on a field trip.
AI Replacement Risk
20/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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