From PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER TO PASTORAL LEADER: Why do Physical Education Teachers Move into Pastoral Leadership Roles within Secondary Education?

Pastoral leadership provides a popular career pathway for PE teachers. This research aimed to investigate why PE teachers have accepted (for whatever reason) pastoral leadership roles within secondary school education. Practicing secondary school PE teachers (n = 8; aged 25 - 45) participated in semi structured interviews which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes emerged relating to why PE teachers assume pastoral leadership roles within secondary education. These themes included, 1) the influence of ‘others’ within school; 2) PE teachers suitability for pastoral roles; 3) PE teachers careers and ambitions, 4) perceptions of the professional status of PE (as a discipline) and its teachers and 5) the relationship links within PE and pastoral care per se. The findings suggest that colleagues and staff responsible for selecting and recruiting pastoral leaders consider PE teachers as worthy candidates. Some PE teachers perceive that they possess desirable skills and qualities deemed appropriate for the role whilst others doubted their own abilities in taking on the role. In adopting pastoral leadership roles relationships with staff and pupils change and develop. Daily challenges and demands increase the impact upon PE departments. It would also appear that pre-existing views surrounding the status of PE as an academic subject along with the perceived intellect of those who choose to teach it remains a contentious issue.