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This two-year online course is offered by the University of Buckingham in conjunction with the Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools (PADSIS) from September 2021.
There are approximately 1000 Directors of Sport in UK independent schools, and a similar number in UK curriculum schools overseas. These positions have changed significantly in their structure, operation and success criteria over the last 10 years. The traditional entry route, via PE teaching, does not provide an adequate preparation for the demands of this role. There is currently no specific qualification that either prepares candidates for this role, provides a suitability indicator for employers or improves the performance of incumbents. This programme addresses this.
PADSIS is endorsed by ISC, HMC, GSA, IAPS and ISA, which is all of the major independent schools’ heads’ associations in the UK. For those working in international schools, an MA qualification is often required for appointment to SMT roles and in some countries, higher qualifications such as Master’s degrees, are required for their general teaching body.
Teaching & Assessment
This MA is an online programme that is made up of four taught modules and culminates in the awarding of a Master’s degree following the successful completion of a fifth module which is a dissertation.
The essence of the course is the development of a broad understanding of the context of school sport and physical activity, current sector issues and the role of the leader in determining a positive sports culture and programme success in schools.
Module 1: The Historical Context of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools (25 Credits)
Module 2: Contemporary Issues in School Sport and Exercise (25 credits)
Module 3: Leadership and Management in School Sport (30 Credits)
Module 4: Building a Positive Culture of Sport and Physical Activity (40 credits)
Module 5: Education Research Dissertation (60 credits)
There will be a 5000-6000 word written assignment at the end of each module and in one module a presentation.
The final dissertation will be 12,000 – 15,000 words.
Materials will be made available for each of the modules so that students can access recorded lectures, online discussion seminars, reading lists and guided study materials from wherever they are in the world.
The course will also encourage students to examine current and historical practices within their own, and other schools, and to research examples of good practice elsewhere. A range of case studies will be presented for analysis and various practical projects will provide students with the opportunity to apply newly discovered research materials to their own school-based context.