The Cambridgeshire Physical Education Advisory Service has been a Professional Learning Centre for the delivery of the afPE / Sportsleaders Primary School PE Subject  Awardssince 2014, and has been held up as an example of best practice.

What are the qualifications?

These are bespoke physical education qualifications for primary school teachers, higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs) and teaching assistants (TAs) and coaches, developed by the Association for Physical Education and Sports Leaders UK.

Why should you undertake them?

The aim of the qualifications is to upskill primary colleagues to be able to assist (Level 5) or lead (Level 6) the delivery of high quality primary school PE. These qualifications are proven, effective use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium funding and are designed to help teachers and primary school staff deliver high quality, sustainable PE and part of the curriculum.

Who are these qualifications aimed at?

Primary school teachers, HLTAs, TAs and coaches embedded within schools will be able to undertake the qualifications.

Level 5 Certificate in Primary School Physical Education Specialism
This is a recognised qualification that aims to upskill primary school teachers and higher level teaching assistants to improve the overall delivery of the physical education curriculum within primary schools. On successful completion of this qualification, delegates will be able to assist in raising the standards within primary school physical education teaching and learning.

Level 6 Award in Primary School Physical Education Subject Leadership
This is a recognised qualification to improve the overall leadership and management of the delivery of the physical education curriculum within primary schools. The aim of this qualification is to enable subject leaders to support and upskill other colleagues in teaching the physical education curriculum. On successful completion of this qualification, delegates will be able to advocate, articulate and lead physical education to achieve whole school improvement.

How many hours training are involved?

The Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are as follows:

• Level 5 – 141 hours which includes 45 tutored hours and 96 independent learning hours
• Level 6 – 38 hours which includes 18 tutored hours and 20 independent learning hours

Key Outcomes

• Guaranteed to increase delegates’ confidence, competence and PE subject knowledge
• Proven to raise standards across the curriculum and contribute to whole school improvement
• Effective and sustainable use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium

These are professional degree equivalent level qualifications.

Course Aims

• The qualification teaches delegates how to understand the requirements of the primary school physical education curriculum, the links between the principles of pedagogy and child development and how using a range of activities can impact on 'good or better' teaching and learning within primary school physical education.
• Delegates will also learn how to develop plans for units of work that cover the primary school physical education curriculum and that use assessment to impact on learning and progress. Delegates will deliver, teach, evaluate and review the plans for units of work and will learn how to use the outcomes of the unit of work to inform future planning.
• Delegates will learn how to lead sustainable development within primary school physical education. This includes understanding the roles and responsibilities of a physical education subject lead

How You Are Assessed

Evidence of meeting each assessment criteria is required to pass the course and this will be demonstrated through your collation of a portfolio of assessment evidence including planning documentation, evaluations and reflection as well as evidence generated by tasks during your tutor contact time.

Your portfolio can also count towards your performance management related to the Teachers’ Standards. Where evidence of improved outcomes for children are used, this can also form part of contributory case studies towards effective use of the PE and School Sport Premium Funding.

There are ten assessment tasks during the course, these are completed as part of a portfolio task:

Further assessment protocols:

All delegates must be observed teaching a Physical Education Lesson

All delegates on the Level 6 qualification must devise a targeted development plan, and present this in a formal interview with a senior member of staff

Course Delivery

The course is a part time programme, with two levels

Level 5 – Primary School PE Specialism – 141 learning hrs (45 directly taught)

Level 6 – Primary School PE Subject leadership - 38 learning hrs (18 directly taught)

This is the equivalent of 8 days of teaching, and the rest as independent learning in your own school setting.

It is anticipated that the course will last around 12 months but there is a huge opportunity for flexibility

The face-2-face aspect of the course is delivered as 50% classroom based, and 50% practical, using an 'in & through' approach, where the theoretical aspects might be applied practically.

The following Practical aspects are covered:

• Multi-skills and Hand-eye coordination
• Gymnastics
• Invasion Games
• Athletics
• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
• 'Swim England' Teacher of Primary School Swimming Award.