While studying the Sports Studies degree programme I have become increasingly aware of the positive impact of sport and physical activity within society and, as a result, have been inspired to pursue a career in PE teaching. This has led to me applying to study PE teaching as a postgraduate course. I chose to undertake the work experience module as it presented an opportunity for me to apply the theory I have learned to a practical working environment and in doing so to become better equipped to take on further placement and working roles.
My placement was determined through the university and I was allocated to Active Stirling under Natalie Wilson. On my initial meeting with Natalie we discussed my desire to gain experience working within a secondary school PE setting and she suggested that she would put me in contact with one of her colleagues who work alongside the secondary schools within the Stirling area. Shortly after this I was contacted by Hazel Dean who is the Active Schools coordinator for Dunblane High School. Hazel informed me that Dunblane High are happy to take me on as a volunteer within the PE department and so I have arranged to meet both Hazel and some of the PE staff at the school on the 6th of February to discuss how I will complete the placement.
While I have previous experience of working within schools this has all been done within Glasgow City Council and the vast majority has been with primary school pupils. As such I am very excited to have the opportunity to carry out my placement within Dunblane High as this will give me more of a chance to work with secondary school pupils and will provide an invaluable opportunity to network and establish myself with different organisations. I am hoping to complete my placement as a series of full or half day sessions as this would allow me to develop a better understanding of how a PE department operates throughout the duration of a school day and experience working with different age groups and delivering different activities.
I am really looking forward to meeting the PE staff within the school next week, and by my next blog update am intending to have begun my placement at Dunblane High.
sounds great! – Ronan
Love this! Thank you for sharing such an insightful article!