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:
- Increased number of children participating PE, School Sport and physical activity.
- Supporting the Chief Medical Officer Guidelines and Public Health Agenda for children and young people
- Increase in overall physical activity levels
- Improvement of the Health and Wellbeing in the school.
- Improvement of learner's enjoyment and attitude towards PE and physical activity.
Following a 3-week training programme, apprentices are required to attend College sessions once a week to undergo their off-the-job training. The programme is developed by staff who have years of experience in School Sport/Coaching whilst tailoring the curriculum based on the employer's needs which is reviewed before the apprentice starts any training.
“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 to 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 on a Level 4 School Sport Coach Apprenticeship standard along with the following CPDs and Workshops.
- Emergency First Aid Qualification
- Safeguarding Workshop
- Managing Challenging Behaviour (StreetGames)
- Multi Skills - (External Workshop)
- Engaging Women and Girls in Sport and Physical activity - (StreetGames)
- Flag Football Level 1 - (NFL)
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 start on the first Monday in August. Apprentices will complete a 3-week pre-employment training programme to ensure they have the basic knowledge on specific areas when they walk into school for their first teacher training day.
Following the pre-employment training programme, apprentices will have College training sessions every Monday on a term time-only contract for approximately 18 months (This may vary based on the apprentice's prior learning).
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 (1st4Sport). The EPA can run up until the end of the school academic year.
Apprentices should be given a workplace mentor whom they will meet with regularly for support in the workplace. Apprentices and workplace mentors are to attend progress reviews with the college tutor every 8-10 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.
-
Assessment method 1: Work-Based Project, Word Report and Presentation with Questioning
- Fail
- Pass
-
Assessment Method 2: Coaching Session Plan and Practical Observation with questioning
- Fail
- Pass
-
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
Our goal is to upskill every apprentice, so they are prepared for their next career move and to focus on employability skills through their College training sessions and progress reviews.
Each apprentice is unique and will have different priorities in regard to their progression routes. Apprentices 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 roles following their completion of the apprenticeship standard 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)
- School Employment full time whilst working on a HND Sport & Exercise Science (Coaching Science) -Blending learning pathway at Loughborough College.
- Secondary Physical Education (Hons) with QTS
- Teaching Assistant (With potential coaching roles)
- PE Technician/Sport Coordinator
- Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma at Loughborough College (Level 5 & 6)
- UCAS application
Recruitment
To apply for the School Sport Coaching Apprenticeship, 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.
We will send your application to the relevant school(s) you have applied for, 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 Wednesday, 6th August 2025, with a 24-month contract. You will complete a 3-week training programme at Loughborough College throughout August to prepare you to transition into the school environment.
Employment
You will be employed with a contract directly by the school, for 30 - 40 hours per week (6 of those hours to be off the job hours, these include College day’s on alternative weeks and the week between the off the job hours will be covered at work premises).
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 2025 will be £7.55 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.
School Sport Coaching Apprentice Information Afternoon.
Wednesday, 30th April, 2pm - 4pm.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE
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.