Level 3 Qualifications - Sports Coaching & Development

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

The sport sector is a fast-growing industry. It is currently worth £39 billion to the economy and continues to grow annually (‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation DCMS, 2015’).

Coaching is an area that continues to expand, with up to 3.1 million adults in England estimated to having coached sport or physical activity in the previous 12 months, providing 7.6 million coach-led participation experiences per week (Coaching in an Active Nation The Coaching Plan for England, YouGov Study, 2016).

Therefore, the course is ideal for students who wish to explore a career in sports coaching with the course aim to support learners in developing the necessary practical and academic skills to pursue a career in the sports coaching industry. This qualification blends the learning (3 A-level equivalent) with embedded industry experience through a dedicated coach education programme and industry lead coaching placements. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to gain numerous industry recognised sports coaching qualifications allowing learners to progress directly to work in the sector or to further study.

The course builds on the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of a sports coach, which also allows learners to access employment and self-employment in varying areas such as coaching in different tourist locations, working towards delivering sport curriculum in schools or working towards employment at a sport coaching company. The course equally provides a pathway for learners to enter higher education for many related degree programmes.

The course is blended between practical coach education, theory lesson and sports coaching placements.

During theory you will study:

- Developing Coaching Skills

- Applied Coaching Skills

- Careers in the Sport & Active Leisure Industry

- Sports Development

- Self Employment in Sport & Physical Activity

During the coach education (1 lesson a week) you will:

- Develop practical sports coaching skills

- Gain sports coaching qualifications

- Have the opportunity to support the college's sport coaching leadership academy coaching at schools and local clubs.

Sports Coaching placement:

You will be required to gain coaching experience throughout the year (30 hours) to support the development of your practical coaching skills in addition to meeting the course specification requirements. This can be at a local sports club or school throughout each year of study.

Coursework - 100%

- Grade 4 in GCSE English.

- Sports Coaching Placement

The qualification focuses primarily on progression to employment as a coach through giving learners employment opportunities for working with participants of all ages, from children in primary and secondary schools, to adults of all ages.

Possible job roles include community coach, sport-specific school coach, sport-specific after-school coach and weekend multi-sports holiday coach. Learners will also have the skills and expertise to work with beginners up to high-level performers. They will be able to work in the role of club sports coach, progressing to working with elite performers and in sport-development programmes in many capacities.

This qualification gives learners the opportunity to progress to further study in higher education and is recognised by higher-education providers as meeting entry requirements for many related degree programmes such as a BA (Hons) in Sports Coaching and Development and a BA (Hons) in Sports Management.