Story added: 6th March 2020

Brand new course to launch this September

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation are joining forces with the University of East Anglia (UEA) and The Wensum Trust to offer students in Norfolk an exciting new pathway into a career in sports.

The Physical Education Teaching (PET) programme is a two-year course aimed at Year 11 leavers who want to teach PE.

The bespoke course will draw upon the expertise from three of the county’s most recognised sport and education providers: The Wensum Trust, UEA, and the Foundation.

Based at Hellesdon High School and Sixth Form Centre, which is part of The Wensum Trust, students will be able to choose their own education package, selecting from a range of A-Level and vocational subjects. This will be complemented by the chance to obtain the Level 2 Certificate in ‘Supporting Physical Activity and School Sport’, alongside additional coaching qualifications with the Foundation.

Students will also have the unique opportunity to benefit from meaningful in-school work placements, delivering physical education across the four key stages.

Those that achieve the required entry grades will be guaranteed a place on the University of East Anglia’s BSc Physical Education course.

The first cohort will start the PET programme this September.

Stevie Bramble, Head of Curriculum at the Foundation, said:

“We’re really excited to be able to work with both The Wensum Trust and UEA on this exciting new course.

“Like never before, the PET programme will support Year 12 and Year 13 students in Norfolk who want a career in PE. It’s a full pathway for the students, with some invaluable experiences and qualifications readily available on the side. The potential of a guaranteed place at UEA is a terrific incentive to work to.”

Tom Rolfe, Strategic Secondary Lead at The Wensum Trust and Principal at Hellesdon High School and Sixth Form Centre, said: “We are delighted to have worked with the UEA and Community Sports Foundation to create this bespoke A-Level experience and pathway to University. It is unique to our Hellesdon Sixth Form Centre and, as a PE teacher myself, I know just how fantastic an opportunity this is for young people whose career ambitions are centred on teaching sport and physical education.

“This is a great example of how The Wensum Trust is working to develop community partnerships that create a range of rich and diverse experiences for students across all of its schools. I am really looking forward to welcoming our first cohort of aspiring PE teachers to Hellesdon High Sixth Form in September.

Julia Robathan, Course Director Physical Education, Sport and Health at UEA, said:

“I am delighted that we have been able to provide this pathway for learners who wish to use their passion for sport to start to develop their PE careers.

“We are looking forward to welcoming subsequent cohorts to UEA to develop their skills as educational practitioners on the BSc in PE, with the option to complete their training on our PGCE in Physical Education.”

The Community Sports Foundation, Norwich City FC’s official charity partner, currently works with over 200 16-18 year olds in its own existing Football & Education programmes.

The Wensum Trust is a not-for-profit education Trust with 11 non-selective, free to attend, schools arranged into three geographical hubs across Norfolk. It provides a complete education journey from early years to sixteen plus.

UEA is ranked within the Top 15 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 and the School of Education and Lifelong Learning is one of the UK’s premier centres for teaching and research in professional education and training.

To find out more about the programme, or to apply for a place on the course (starting September 2020), please contact: [email protected] or call 01603 424 711.