The programme has seen outstanding success rates and has had a lasting impact on the participating primary, secondary and special schools, many of whom have gone on to employ their apprentices.
As a direct result of the programme schools have demonstrated a number of improvements in key objectives including:
- Improvements in activity levels of children.
- Increased number of children participating and enjoying PE, School Sport and physical activity.
- Improvement on the Health and Wellbeing in the school.
Apprentices receive outstanding training and development from Loughborough College in order to effectively carry out their role.
"Trainers use highly effective teaching methods very well to inspire and challenge work based learners, ensuring that most make rapid progress as well as improving their skills and understanding to a high level. Staff support learners very well to progress towards their learning goals" Loughborough College Ofsted Inspection Report April 2013.
Following a 3 week training programme, apprentices are then required to attend College sessions once a week to undergo additional training. Loughborough College are also currently working in partnership with Leicestershire & Rutland Sport to enhance the training given to the apprentices to focus improving the health and well-being in the school and also to develop the fundamental skills of the students.
“The range of training and support the apprentices have received has created a great bank of ideas for the rest of the school to benefit from” - Grampian Primary Academy.
For learners, the apprenticeship can be seen as an alternative route into a career in education, sports development and sports management. It can also be seen as personal development and work experience, returning into higher education with a wealth of knowledge and understanding as well as a large increase in confidence and professional development.
Key Facts
The Level 4 School Sport Coach Apprenticeship is an alternative route into a career in education, sports development, sports management and coaching. The students spend 2 academic years working in a school (Primary, Secondary, Community College or Special) alongside qualified teachers and coaches delivering high level Curriculum PE and School Sport activities.
Level:
4
Dates:
You have to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. You can either apply for one of our vacancies, or you can source your own employer.
Course Code:
N/A
Course
Content
Successful candidates will be enrolled onto a Level 4 School Sport Coach Apprenticeship standard.
Loughborough College work with LRSport to discuss additional funding opportunities linked to physical activity, health and wellbeing aiming to support the following four objectives:
- Inactive boys and girls
- Active travel
- Daily boost
- Fundamentals
This allows the College to provide additional training and qualifications to develop the coach’s practicality in the workplace.
Other complimentary training and qualifications will be delivered by the host school in line with their staff development programme.
Delivery
Model
The training and development are delivered right from August and are followed up by contact days throughout the school year. Students complete training and development sessions once a week with the College to meet the minimum 20% requirement for off the job training. After 18 months, if apprentices are ready, they may be put through to gateway to progress towards the End Point Assessment (EPA) where their Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours will be assessed by an external organisation. The EPA approximate duration is 6 months.
As an apprentice, you will have a workplace mentor who you will meet with regularly and who will support you in the workplace. Apprentices and workplace mentors are to attend a progress reviews with the college tutor every 8 weeks.
Entry
Requirements
Course is aimed at learners who have:
- Completed A Levels or minimum of a Level 3 PE or Sport related qualification
- Experience delivering sporting activities to children and young people
- English or Maths GCSE Grade C/4 or above / Functional Skills Level 2
- Students will be required to attend College once a week.
Other desirable elements:
- Sports Leadership training
- NGB Level 1 coaching award (any sport)
- Experience as an athlete
Maths &
English
Apprentices with English or Maths grades which are grade 3/D or below will need to achieve Level 2 Functional skills prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
Assessment
Methods
During the End Point Assessment you will have to undergo 3 assessment methods.
-
Method 1 - Assessment method 1: Work Based Project and Presentation with Questioning
- Fail
- Pass
-
Assessment Method 2 - Assessment Method 2: Coaching Session Plan and Practical Observation with questioning
- Fail
- Pass
-
Assessment Method 3 - Assessment method 3: Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio
- Fail
- Pass
- Distinction
All EPA methods must be passed for the EPA to be passed overall. Apprentices must gain a distinction in the professional discussion to gain a distinction overall.
Progression
Opportunities
At the end of the apprenticeship we aim to have upskilled all learners to be ready to take their next career step and make them as employable as possible. Each apprentice is different and will have different priorities in regards to their progression routes; and students may wish to continue in education or move into employment.
Although it is not a requirement for host schools to offer a job at the end of the apprenticeship, many schools have offered apprentices full and part time jobs following their year as a School Sport Apprentice due to the impact of that individual with regards to PE and School Sport.
Example exit routes for previous apprentices are as follows:
- PE/Sports Coach (in schools or community organisations)
- Blended Learning Pathway – School employment and work towards HND part time
- Teaching Assistant
- PE Technician/Sport Coordinator
- Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma at Loughborough College
- University application
Recruitment
To apply for the School Sport Coaching Apprenticeship, you can either ‘Apply Now’ on our website (see right) or you can apply for a specific schools vacancy which we advertise on our website
Once you have applied, our Apprenticeship Team will contact you to arrange a telephone interview to ask you some additional questions including why you think you are suitable for the programme, to explain more about the programme and how it works, and to answer any questions that you may have.
If shortlisted following your telephone interview, you will be invited to attend an assessment day at Loughborough College.
The assessment day will involve a Presentation from Loughborough College about the programme, some group and individual activities and tasks and a 1-2-1 interview with the programme lead and recruitment consultants. Following your assessment day, we will send your applications of to the relevant school(s) who will decide who to shortlist for interview.
If following your interview with the school they decide to appoint you, you will start your Apprenticeship on Monday 2nd August 2021 with a 24 month contract. You will complete a 3 week training programme at Loughborough College from 2nd – 20th August to prepare you to transition into the school environment.
Employment
You will be employed directly by the school, for 30 - 40 hours per week (5 of those hours include College contact days).
You will be on a term time only contact, however you will be contracted to work over the February half term in the second year to upskill and prepare you for the End Point Assessment.
The current National Minimum Apprenticeship wage from April 2021 will be £4.30 per hour for Apprentices within their first year.
In the second year of employment, apprentices should be paid based on the national minimum wage for their age group. For more information about current National Minimum wages please visit click here
FAQs
How much college work will I need to do?
- All apprentices will have tasks to complete on their College contact days to enhance their Knowledge and Skills. This will be broken down into different assessment methods such as professional discussions, workbooks and research tasks.
What responsibility will I have in school?
- Apprentices will be treated like any other member of staff and will therefore need to contribute to the behaviour management of pupils. Apprentices will be expected to attend and contribute to staff meetings and training as requested by their school.
What are the working hours and holidays?
- The working hours for a School Sport Apprentice are flexible and will vary between schools. Due to the timetable of extra-curricular activities and fixtures there may be different start and finish times throughout the week. Apprentices will however have a set schedule to follow that will be between 30-40 hours per week. Holidays should be taken outside of the school term but not during the Easter Break.
Do I have to do the August training? …What if I have holiday booked?
- The August training programme is a vital part of your training as a School Sport Apprentice and is compulsory. As well as preparing you to start in your school with confidence and quality there are elements of the apprenticeship qualification that are delivered during this period. Pre-booked holidays will be discussed on an individual basis during the interview process.
What can I do afterwards?
- It is hoped that is schools are happy with the role and impact of the apprentice that there may be opportunities to keep them on as a Coach/Technician/LSA after the programme. There are many other routes such as finding these roles in other establishments whilst also continuing with education in Further Education or Higher Education.
Can we choose our schools?
- Students can apply for particular school positions advertised depending on their location and transport needs. After initial screening to ensure students meet the entry requirements they will be put forward to the relevant schools that will shortlist for interview.
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information contained on this website is correct, the College accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Please note that details are subject to change without notice with regard to the provision of courses, course times and dates and the fees and charges levied.