Recent documentation (e.g. HMIE Scotland 2001: 31,33) has suggested that confidence levels amongst generalist primary school teachers concerning knowledge and pedagogical approaches in physical education are relatively low. We make the suggestion that institutions of initial teacher education may bear some responsibility for this. This paper will examine this claim with reference to teacher education institutions in Scotland and Finland. The notion of the importance of confidence in teachers in terms of their state of preparation to deliver specified important curricular components will be examined in the light of appropriate concerns of theory (eg Mills, 1989). We shall report on the findings of pilot research carried out in universities in Glasgow and Helsinki which looks at student preparedness in terms of pedagogical skills and understandings. In turn, we shall relate this to the confidence and awareness which courses engender in finishing students. We hope to draw tentative conclusions on student confidence and aspects of teacher education pedagogy. References: Improving Physical Education in Primary Schools (2001): A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education: The Stationery Office: Edinburgh Janet Mills (1989) The Generalist Primary Teacher of Music: a Problem of Confidence: British Journal of Music Education Vol 6 No 2 pp125-138.