Inspiring Future Careers in PE and Teaching
Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research into Racial Equality in the Teacher Workforce found that Asian, Black, Mixed and Other ethnicities are considerably under-represented in the PE teaching workforce. Teachers from a White ethnic background are over-represented in PE by 16%, making PE one of the least ethnically diverse subject workforces, alongside Geography, Art, Design, Music and Drama.
The Youth Sport Trust wants to play its part in addressing this under-representation and helping to create a PE workforce in which young people can see a wider range of backgrounds, identities and experiences represented.
We know that representation alone will not address the barriers that can affect recruitment, retention and progression within the profession. But seeing people with relatable experiences and hearing honestly about their journeys can help young people imagine possibilities for their own futures.
In 2025, we worked with an incredible group of school leaders, PE teachers and thought leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds, who wrote letters to their younger selves, reflecting on key choices and values that shaped their lives and careers.
Together, the resources are designed to help careers advisers and PE teachers start conversations with young people who may not currently see themselves represented in PE, teaching or leadership – and help them see these as careers in which they can belong, contribute and thrive.
This resource links to the Gatsby Benchmarks;
- Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information
- Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
- Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces (link to further opportunities)
Find out more about the Leaders in PE from an Ethnically Diverse Community Development Programme here.