Sport

Key Stage 4 Students study BTEC  Sport.  This qualification is for learners who want to acquire theoretical knowledge and technical skills through vocational contexts by exploring areas such as the body systems, psychology, nutrition, technology and leadership. The qualification recognises the value of developing skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them. What does the qualification cover? The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on the knowledge and understanding of skills in health, fitness, activity and sport.

Learners  develop:

• knowledge of the body systems, common sports injuries and technological advances that impact on sport and activity

• key skills that support their theoretical understanding of the training, nutrition and psychological factors that influence and impact on engagement in sport and activity

• an understanding of the underpinning principles of leadership and the physical and psychological benefits for session participants.

Learners  investigate methods of planning, delivering and reviewing sessions for a range of target groups. The qualification builds on and uses the knowledge and skills learned in their core subjects at The Workplace core GCSE lessons. It has a broad focus on building knowledge and skills, including exploring the impact of technology and psychology on sport and activity.

What can the qualification lead to?

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects

• study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Sport, which prepares learners to enter employment or an Apprenticeship, or to move to higher education by studying a degree in the sport or sport and exercise areas.

Learners who generally achieve at Level 1 at The Workplace might consider progression to:

• study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, to employment, to an Apprenticeship, or to further study at Level 3; for these learners, the attitudes and the reflective and communication skills covered in this qualification will help them achieve

• study of sport post-16 through the study of a Technical Certificate, for example a BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma for Sport and Activity Leaders. Learners who perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route as, ultimately, it can lead to employment in the sport sector.

Assessment

The three components in the qualification give learners at The Workplace the opportunity to develop broad knowledge and understanding of the sports industry, and specialist skills and techniques in planning fitness training programmes and recommending nutritional strategies to improve fitness and performance at Levels 1 and 2.