A new Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Physical Education is to be officially launched this weekend (10.30am on Saturday 4 November 2006) by the Faculty of Education of the University of Glasgow.

Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive Education Department to deliver the courses to help class teachers become specialists in primary physical education with the aim of developing provision and teaching of P.E. in Primary Schools throughout Scotland.

Fees for teachers attending are being paid by the Scottish Executive.

Peter Peacock, Education Minister said: "We are determined to improve the nation's health. To do this, we need to encourage children to develop healthy, active lifestyles and Physical Education has an important part to play. More access to a wider range of activities will help ignite pupils' enthusiasm for sports, a habit we hope will last a lifetime. This high quality certificate will give teachers the additional skills we need, helping us meet our commitment to train extra Physical Education specialists."

Professor James Conroy, Dean of the Faculty of Education said: "The Faculty of Education welcomes this opportunity to make a real impact on children's experiences in Primary Physical Education. This Certificate Programme will encourage teachers to reflect on the impact of different approaches to teaching Physical Education. We believe that it will have a positive effect on children's attitudes to learning and engender confidence in their own physical abilities and prowess. Enjoyable, meaningful and positive experiences in Physical Education will encourage children to participate in physical activity in future years and thus contribute to the health and well-being of Scotland."

Glasgow University will deliver the Programme in two phases with 230 teachers signed up to begin the first phase in January 2007 and a further 100 teachers expected to join the second phase in January 2008.

Intended for General Teaching Council registered teachers with a particular interest and role in the development and delivery of primary physical education, the programmes will be of specific interest to the following teachers:

ﾷ primary teachers with the responsibility for the physical education of their own classes

ﾷ primary teachers with the responsibility for physical education within their schools and/or across a school cluster

ﾷ teachers holding a promoted post in primary schools wishing to enhance their knowledge and understanding of physical education to assist with the future development of physical education in their school.

Key speakers at the launch event ﾖ at 10.30am on Saturday 4 November in the Sir Charles Wilson Building, 1 University Avenue, University of Glasgow - will be Donald Henderson, Head of Teachers Division in the Scottish Executive; the Dean of Education Faculty Professor James Conroy; and Professor Richard Bailey of Roehampton University who will deliver a short lecture on the value of Physical Education.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

Further information: Theresa Campbell, Senior University Teacher in Physical Education, 0141 330 3063

Photocall: Glasgow University launches Professional Qualification in Physical Education for Primary Teachers.

Date: 10.30am Saturday 4 November

Location: Sir Charles Wilson Building, 1 University Avenue, University of Glasgow

The Faculty of Education developed a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Physical Education and commenced delivery of this Programme in partnership with Glasgow City Council in September 2004. The Programme was very well received and came to the attention of Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) during that time.

In late 2005, Glasgow University was approached by SEED and discussions took place regarding the possibility to rolling this Programme out across Scotland. It was agreed that other Universities should be approached to see if they wished to be involved in the Project and Edinburgh University indicated that they would be prepared to develop a similar Postgraduate Programme for delivery.

The programmes will operate within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Each programme will be 60 credit points, have similar learning outcomes and will involve 100 hours of contact. A range of delivery methods will be employed by programme tutors with a wide range of relevant experience and expertise in the fields of Initial Teacher Education, continuing professional development and the planning and delivery of primary education in schools.

Attendance will mostly be outwith the school day and teachers will be able to count a proportion of the time spent on the programme against their 35 annual hours of continuing professional development. Local Authorities will be invited to work in partnership with the University best placed to meet their particular needs. The Scottish Executive will pay programme fees directly to the Universities and a contribution towards the costs incurred by local authorities.

First published: 3 November 2006