This paper focuses on the UK perspective of Physical Education Teacher Education, yet what is the UK? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official title of the state that consists of 4 ‘Home Countries’ (or 4 Home nations) these are: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All of these named places are referred to as countries or nations, yet currently none of them are officially independent states, although Scotland have currently called for a new vote of independence.
This differentiation of 4 nations / countries and 1 nation / country, may appear confusing to those outside of the UK, especially with world wise tournaments such as the World Cup for Rugby or for Football, where the nations compete as independent countries, yet for the Olympics and Paralympics the team is the team of GB and Northern Ireland! In the UK there is a devolved country models for each of the 4 home countries, in that there are different curriculum within the schools and within teacher education, there are also different statuary powers for decision making powers, these are given to the ‘Assemblies’ which are the devolved Parliament for each nation.
Also, to add to the complexity of the UK perspectives, at time of writing the UK, has just completed a general election and a new government has been implemented with new Ministers, who may make future changes. A general election is normally undertaken in May time, and every 5 years, yet after chaotic Brexit negotiations, and the call for a People’s Vote on the terms of the negotiations, with the possibility and hope of remaining in the EU, Parliament was dissolved in November and therefore any changes in curriculum both for school settings or for teacher education have been paused in terms of time until the election process, new Minister positions have been appointed and the Christmas break has been completed. Randall et al. (2016) described Physical Education as a contested concept that struggles “to find its identity within the crowded political spaces of sport, health and education” (p.7). However, this paper offers the current context and the UK perspectives of Physical Education within Teacher Education and seeks to explain Physical Education and the influence of Teacher Education within the UK context
