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BA (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport course preparation

To help you feel prepared for your BA (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Open the links below to find out more:

Suggested reading

You’ll be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.

In the meantime, here are some suggested books you may like to read before starting your degree. We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But, if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library, or access online, we suggest the following:

  • ARMOUR, K., 2011. Sport Pedagogy, An Introduction for Teaching and Coaching. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
  • BAILEY, R., 2011. Physical Education for Learning, London: Continuum International Publishing Group.
  • BURNS, T., SINFIELD, S., 2012. Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University. New York: Sage Publications Limited.
  • CAPEL, S., and WHITEHEAD, M., 2010. Learning to Teach Physical Education in the Secondary School. London: Routledge.
  • CLELAND-DONNELLY, F., MULLER, S.S. and GALLAHUE, D. L. 2017 Developmental Physical Education for All Children Theory into Practice. Illinois. Human Kinetics.
  • HAYWOOD, K. M. AND GETCHELL, N. 2014. Lifespan Motor Development. Illinois. Human Kinetics.
  • KIRK, D., MACDONALD, D. and O’SULLIVAN, M., 2013. The Handbook of Physical Education. London: Sage.
  • LAWRENCE, J. 2012. Teaching Primary Physical Education: London: Sage.

Clothing requirements for your course

Appropriate kit needs to be worn for your course. So, you’ll need to bring:

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Plain white t-shirt/polo shirt
  • Navy shorts or tracksuit bottoms. Kit must be worn for all practical sessions.
  • AstroTurf/multipurpose trainers are required (fashionable footwear is not suitable for practical sessions)

Useful websites

If you want to join a sports team at University, you can visit the clubs and societies web page.

For ideas on careers and other PE and School Sports related opportunities, take a look at the following sites:

Catch up on the latest sports news

It’s important to keep up to date with what is going on in the sports and education industry. Try to think more broadly than simply sports results. Check announcements from the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport, or the Department of Education and see how the latest news might affect PE teachers in their roles:

Things to do over summer

Here are some activities that you can be doing during the next few months to prepare you for the start of your course:

  • Try to improve activity-specific subject knowledge
  • Update your CV
  • Read and familiarise yourself with the suggested texts

Use the drop down boxes for more summer activities.

Watch a webinar or read a blog
Listen to a podcast
Look at the PE National Curriculum

Meet your programme leader