University News Last updated 25 September
A group of four recent graduates will achieve national recognition when their research articles are published in a physical education (PE) journal.
The alumni, who all completed the BA Secondary School Physical Education with QTS degree course in July 2025, will see their work published in the Association for Physical Education’s (AfPE) Physical Education Matters journal.
Physical Education Matters is a termly journal that seeks to inspire, inform and engage by sharing the latest in research, practical and policy from across the PE, school sport and physical activity community.
Of the graduates, three will have their research featured in the November 2025 edition, while one will contribute two articles scheduled for the March and June 2026 editions.
The accepted articles are:
• Matt Ellis – Designing a Key Stage 3 PE curriculum (November 2025)
• Ryan Hedges-Quinn – TikTok: An opportunity or a distraction in PE? (November 2025)
• Joshua Hothersall – Beyond the classroom: How PE teachers inspire active lifestyles (November 2025)
• Blessing Awazi – PE teachers’ perspectives on Continuous Professional Development: beliefs, attitudes and experiences
o Part A – The literature (March 2026)
o Part B – The study (June 2026)
Senior Lecturer in PE Grant Huddleston said: “In the five-year history of the Secondary School Physical Education with QTS degree course, only one student had previously achieved publication. To have five articles accepted from a single year group – and within just one month – is quite remarkable.
“All four individuals are now working as secondary school PE teachers, carrying forward their passion for teaching and research.
“Their success highlights the calibre of work being produced within the degree programme and the impact it is having within the wider professional community.”