I entered my NQT year ready for anything!

In 2002 I graduated from UEA with my PGCE in Physical Education and embarked into the world of Teaching as an enthusiastic, motivated and confident teacher. However, had UEA prepared me with what I was about to face?

Prior to starting the course I had somewhat of a blinkered view of the subject. To me Football, Cricket, Athletics were among the core and fundamental reasons as to why the job was so appealing and Dance and Gymnastics were just the areas that you would unfortunately have to go near every so often. UEA not only changed my view of these areas but made look towards embracing them as part of the whole package that makes Physical Education teaching one of, if the most, rewarding subjects to teach.

I entered my NQT year ready for anything, fully prepared to meet the demands of any activity that was placed in my path. This was not only due to the fantastic course delivery by Penny Lamb and her team but also through having dedicated, thorough and experienced mentors within my placement schools. By experiencing two widely diverse schools I was able to make vast steps towards improving my subject knowledge in all areas.

My training at UEA placed me in high regard as a professional in my first school and after three years I had progressed to taking in the roles of Head of House and Head of Boys Physical Education. However, UEA had made me open my eyes to the wide world of teaching and gave me a thirst and determination to move forward with pace.

Three years after leaving I landed my current position as Head of Physical Education at a high achieving school on the Surrey/Hampshire border. My experience, my outstanding training and my drive for the subject had been rewarded and now heading up a department of five staff, running residential trips and of course the timetable, I have found a new and exciting world.

I could not have done any of this without a strong base and that is what UEA gave me and is why I would say that if you are looking for a PGCE course in Physical Education there is no other place to go!!!!

The social life rivals any university and Norwich is a fantastic city. Remember however, all work and no play is not good for you!