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Back in 2023, I published my most-read blog post, Classification of Skill - Setting the Standard. That article established a clear, universally applicable framework for teaching the six skill continua, the very foundation of skill acquisition in PE. Crucially, it provided the rigour needed to move beyond common misconceptions and truly focus on the nuanced thinking and justification skills (AO2 or AO3, depending on the course) required for mastery. That previous post is essential reading for PE teachers, coaches and, crucially, exam-board colleagues who may soon be writing the specification guidance for new GCSE or A-level PE* courses.
*New courses may not actually be called GCSE and A-level PE.
That post set the standard. Now, I plan to build the expertise that PE teachers require to deliver such learning experiences in a world-class manner.
From blog post to certified knowledge
A blog post, however popular, can only do so much. It's a guide with standards and principles, but it is not a verifiable qualification with assessment rigour and certification for those who have met that rigour. That's why my team and I have developed a brand-new, fully certifiable PE Teacher Academy course dedicated to the classification of skills.
This course allows you to:
- Actively learn the established standards of skill classification.
- Master how to teach these essential concepts to your students.
- Demystify the errors and trade-offs that students and teachers often encounter.
This is a critical foundation topic assessed across major qualifications, including GCSE PE, A-level PE, IB Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, and BTEC/CTEC Sport. For many, it remains one of the most heavily assessed areas.
Take a look at these qualifications, which feature skill classification as one of the most heavily assessed topics:
The course, available to all PE teachers within PE departments with an active PE Teacher Academy subscription, is designed for rapid, focused professional development, taking approximately 60 minutes to complete. It is structured into five essential lessons that mirror and build upon the core concepts from the original blog post:
- Lesson 1: The six continua
- Lesson 2: Intuition of the continua
- Lesson 3: Muscular involvement and complexity continua
- Lesson 4: Environmental and pacing continua
- Lesson 5: Continuity and organisational continua
Certification and professional growth
Certification is achieved by completing more than 90% of the tutorial material (45 minutes total) and successfully passing two checkpoint assessments with a score of at least 80%:
- Checkpoint 1: 12 quiz questions covering lessons 1 and 2.
- Checkpoint 2: 12 quiz questions covering lessons 3, 4, and 5.
Upon successful completion, you are immediately awarded a certificate, providing you with demonstrable subject knowledge—a valuable asset for performance management, recruitment, and showcasing your professional commitment.
Furthermore, your learning is now housed in an intuitive Record of Achievement which should be – in fact, must be – used by PE teachers to demonstrate their ongoing professional development and form the basis of performance management progression.
Record of achievement on the PE Teacher Academy
Certificate download space on the PE Teacher Academy
Certificate of course completion on the PE Teacher Academy
This new course is a key part of the 30 other courses available through The PE Teacher Academy, covering five core disciplines:
- PE Curriculum
- PE Subject Knowledge - Classification of movement skills course can be found here.
- PE Pedagogy
- PE Cognitive Science
- PE Course Design and Assessment
We truly believe this provision can become a cornerstone of your and your department's professional learning.
Take the next step
Mastering skill classification is not just about passing an exam; it’s about improving your pedagogical practice and supporting your career progression.
Ready to get started?
Visit The PE Teacher Academy and start your Classification of Skills course today!
Thanks for reading.
James Simms