A New Era for Physical Education teacher training: perceptions of delivering the CARE Curriculum of Physical Education in China, lessons for effective implementation

Abstract

China’s development plans to establish a New Era for the country are driven by aspirations to modernise, enhance health and wellbeing, and establish social harmony. Physical Education (PE) plays an important role in achieving these objectives. China has sought international partners to support this culture shift and help deliver a new form of education and training in PE through the Sino-UK joint led Higher Education programmes in PE and Sport. The purpose of this study was to investigate one of these joint programmes and the CARE Curriculum ethos that underpins it, providing unique insights into its operationalisation and effectiveness. The study explored different perspectives from students, teachers and managers about the benefits and challenges of the curriculum in order to better inform its future implementation and contribution to the New Era objectives. A qualitative case study is presented including individual interviews, observations, reflective narratives and focus groups with teachers, students, and managers at University ‘X’ in South Central China. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was employed to develop 5 higher-order and 14 lower-order themes. The many benefits of the curriculum are presented as well as its perceived limitations. The CARE Curriculum was deemed an appropriate model to support pupil development and wellbeing for the New Era. Challenges are identified and framed in the context of transnational education and socialisation debates. Finally, recommendations are made about how to modify its communication, delivery, assessment, and professional training to support more effective implementation, offering insight and guidance to similar international joint programmes.