Mr Graham Smith in his presentation at Maidan Summit 2011 talked about the foundation of sport provisions in colleges and universities. Sharing a model from EdgeHill University, he mentioned six main categories for a good course on physical education and sport sciences. These were sport and exercise sciences, sport development, sport studies, sport therapy, coach education and coaching science, and physical education and school sport. In the course of his presentation, Smith elaborated on these categories in light of the ones existing in India and other parts of the world.
He also mentioned that a certain passion about teaching physical education is extremely important in deciding whether it goes a long way or not. Encouraging fundamentals, Smith concluded by saying that physical education and sport sciences is where sport starts. Therefore, the vision of achieving a healthy, active population can be achieved through it. Thus, it is for people involved in sports that they have to challenge policy and graduate change. If we don’t do that, we let down sports, we let down change, he said.
2. Teaching children/young people
Coaching (performance, participation)
Managing sport
Developing sport
Treating sports injuries
Optimising sporting performance
Developing community/school/youth sport
Employment in education-related professions (TA,
school sport, FE, HE, community schemes)
Employment in sports-related professions (fitness,
leisure, law, journalism, marketing, policy)
3. Across UK some variety at M level but much wider
range available for undergraduate study – typically
in single honours, joint award and major/minor
combinations. Six main categories of course:
1. Sport & Exercise Sciences
2. Sport Development
3. Sports Studies
4. Sports Therapy
5. Coach Education/Coaching Science
6. Physical Education & School Sport
Based on Edge Hill’s portfolio but other courses shown too
*visit – ucas.com.uk or contact smithg@edgehill.ac.uk
4. Usually include % of key
disciplines –biomech,
physiology, psychology.
Also possible to study –
sports performance,
sport psychology,
conditioning, applied
biomechanics, nutrition
for sport and wellbeing,
diet, fitness and health
Exercise physiologists,
Consistent demand.
sports psychologists, GP
Vocations include:
referral, fitness industry
5. Concerned with local
to national SD policy
Courses also available
in – sport policy, sport
management, sport
and community
leadership, sport
business management,
sport marketing, sport
or recreation dev.
SD policy (local/national)
Steady course demand
NGBs, NGOs, leisure
Employers include:
centres, clubs, marketing
6. Tend to be more
‘general’ in focus
degrees – wider scope of
content may include:
Sport in society, cultural
analysis, philosophy,
sports journalism, public
relations, sport
technology, football
studies, disability sport
‘General’ course demand Sports admin, PG study,
waning. Graduate variety of sports orgs.
destinations are: Uniformed services
7. Usually governed by
NGB who control
content/assessment
(HPC pending). Not as
expansive as
physiotherapy since
focus is sports injury
but can study massage
therapy, sports
rehabilitation and
health and fitness
Private/public clinics,
High course demand.
gyms, clubs, massage,
Employment includes:
GP, rehab programmes
8. Focus varies between
elite/performance level
to community, grass
roots coaching for
development. Courses
available in science and
coaching, community
sports coaching,
coaching pedagogy,
sport development and
conditioning coaches
Increasing course Pro Clubs, NGBs, NGOs,
demand. Qualified leisure centres, national/
coaches work for: community schemes
9. As an educator of future
generations considered a
key component of sport-
related development from
individual, community,
regional and national level.
Most courses prepare for
teaching (primary –
secondary) but others focus
on children and PE, PE and
School Sport development,
children & youth sport dev.
Very High course Primary/High teaching,
demand. PE teachers ATs, School/youth sport
graduate to: dev, community sport
10. PE/SS experiences
underpin all sport.
Through PE/SS children
& young people develop
holistically (SMSC). But,
it is also a key means of
embedding a positive
attitude to sport - fun,
continued participation,
interest in range of
aspects(health, work)
PE/Sport keeps individuals PE/sport educates -
and communities healthy informed lifestyle choice
11. PE/SS – a truly inclusive
subject discipline,
engenders an education
philosophy of ‘moving
to learn’. Also promotes
enjoyable, healthy
activity and a desire to
engage in sport – in
whatever capacity, role,
profession people
choose.
Passing the baton… …to an active life.
12. 1. Market research – talked to schools, colleges,
employers, ITT agencies, DCMS, sport NGOs, NGBs,
professional to community sport. We wanted to make
difference and be different!!
2. Conceptual strategy – Inclusive philosophy. Prog
aims (creative, positive and caring practitioners). HQ
PE/SS. Content/Design must align with philosophy.
3. Delivery/good practice model - PBL core, students
teach in each every session, link theory>practice, Uni
and voluntary placements, electives, coaching courses
– thinking outside box - builds ‘capacity’ too
Our aim: Employability & to positively affect PE/Sport
in schools, families and their communities & society
13. BA (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport
Level 4
Safe and Professional
Personal and Science of
Practical Teaching in PE/Sport – Foundation Practice in PE and School
Professional Movement –
(40 Credits) Sport PE/Sport in Society
Development 1 Foundation
(20 Credits) (20 Credits)
(20 Credits) (20 Credits)
Level 5
PE Pathway School Sport Pathway
Personal and Science of Practical Teaching in
Research Expressive Developing School Sports
Professional Movement - Applied PE/Sport – Required Skills
Methods Movement School Sport Initiatives
Development 2 (20 Credits) (40 Credits)
(20 Credits) (20 Credits) (20 Credits) (20 Credits)
(20 Credits)
Level 6
PE Pathway School Sport Pathway
Contemporary Practical Teaching in Active PE Sport, Young
Child (Holistic) Practice Based
Issues in PE and PE/Sport – Advanced Skills Pedagogy Research in People and the
Development Learning
School Sport (40 Credits) (20 Credits) Schools Community
(20 Credits) (20 Credits)
(20 Credits) (20 Credits) (20 Credits)
15. Sport can be the key to a Sport is a shared social,
active future for anyone cultural, communal and
and everyone Educative process
16. It can be about challenge It can be about winning
17. It can be about families But…It is for everyone!!!
18. The vision that a healthy, active population
can be achieved through HQPE/SS. It needs:
People who care about our youngsters
People who care about sporting chance
People who see the wider benefits of sport
People who support sport and performance
People who want to see sport succeed
Most of all we need PE/SS teachers who are
innovative, inclusive and inspirational - that
is where the process starts!!!
19. PE/sport embedded throughout society
PE/sport provision at community level
Well structured and delivered school PE/Sport
Strong, relevant PE/sport courses in Universities
20. Any society wishing use PE and sport as a
means of educational, social or cultural
development should consider creating strong,
mutually advantageous links with other
societies. A good place to start is with
Universities where practice-based learning
model courses, supported by research activity,
can influence both provision and evolution of
PE and sport for the benefit of individuals,
communities and society. All it needs is a
positive first step to network/share.
21. We have to challenge policy and entrenched
mindsets. But change must be graduated to
ensure its sustainability in achieving our
vision for effective PE and sport delivery. We
owe it to the children, to sport and to PE.
PE teachers and sport itself are key change
agents - ‘islands’ of excellence? Why not a
subcontinent of excellence!!!
22. Dr. Graham Smith
Associate Head of Department
Sport and Physical Activity
Edge Hill University
St. Helens Road, Ormskirk
Lancashire, L39 4QP
E-mail: smithg@edgehill.ac.uk