The Level 3 National Diploma is equivalent to two A-levels, and is studied over two years.
It is a theory course with some practical elements and gives you the tools to develop your own fitness and performance alongside the study of sport in various contexts.
Those taking on the Diploma would typically be very interested in a career within the sports industry and be passionate about understanding a multitude of facets concerning sports development, coaching and fitness.
Course Content
Students will study the following units across the two years of their programme:
- Anatomy and Physiology (exam)
- Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (controlled assessment)
- Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry (coursework unit)
- Sports Leadership (coursework unit)
- Professional Development in the Sports Industry (coursework unit)
- Skill Acquisition in Sport (coursework unit)
- Application of Fitness Testing (coursework unit)
- Practical Sports Performance (coursework unit)
- Principles and Practices for Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (coursework unit)
Three externally assessed units & six internally assessed Units.
Students will study the following units across the two years of their programme:
- Anatomy and Physiology (exam)
- Fitness Training and Programming for Health, Sport and Well-being (controlled assessment)
- Investigating Business in Sport and the Active Leisure Industry (coursework unit)
- Sports Leadership (coursework unit)
- Professional Development in the Sports Industry (coursework unit)
- Skill Acquisition in Sport (coursework unit)
- Application of Fitness Testing (coursework unit)
- Practical Sports Performance (coursework unit)
- Principles and Practices for Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (coursework unit)
Three externally assessed units & six internally assessed Units.
Methods of Teaching and Learning
A variety of classroom activities as well as practical sports activities, help develop each students understanding of the topics within BTEC Sport. Students are expected to plan, deliver/lead and evaluate coaching/fitness testing sessions. Students will acquire the skills they need to work independently and to monitor their own learning so to ensure they reach the highest standards. Students will also be required to participate in practical activities in order to be assessed. Students will also have exam based tasks which will require self-study and revision outside of class room lessons; alongside their independent learning.
Method of Assessment
This course has both internally and externally assessed units. For the internally assessed units students will complete a range of assignments in each unit that ensure differentiated opportunity for success. Some assignments will require students to physically take part and/or lead sessions. The external assessments comprise of an exam and controlled assessments.
A variety of classroom activities as well as practical sports activities, help develop each students understanding of the topics within BTEC Sport. Students are expected to plan, deliver/lead and evaluate coaching/fitness testing sessions. Students will acquire the skills they need to work independently and to monitor their own learning so to ensure they reach the highest standards. Students will also be required to participate in practical activities in order to be assessed. Students will also have exam based tasks which will require self-study and revision outside of class room lessons; alongside their independent learning.
Method of Assessment
This course has both internally and externally assessed units. For the internally assessed units students will complete a range of assignments in each unit that ensure differentiated opportunity for success. Some assignments will require students to physically take part and/or lead sessions. The external assessments comprise of an exam and controlled assessments.
Resources
Sports students at St Brendan’s have access to an excellent range of facilities which are used to support your learning. These include a 4G football and rugby pitch, 4 outdoor floodlit netball/tennis courts and grass football pitches, multipurpose sports hall and fitness suite, teaching rooms and IT facilities.
Additional course costs
During the course, students are charged for printing and revision books can be purchased. Payment for the cost of the outdoor and adventurous unit is also expected for Diploma students. Costs for day trips, which form a valuable part of the course which all students are expected to attend, may also be charged.
Sports students at St Brendan’s have access to an excellent range of facilities which are used to support your learning. These include a 4G football and rugby pitch, 4 outdoor floodlit netball/tennis courts and grass football pitches, multipurpose sports hall and fitness suite, teaching rooms and IT facilities.
Additional course costs
During the course, students are charged for printing and revision books can be purchased. Payment for the cost of the outdoor and adventurous unit is also expected for Diploma students. Costs for day trips, which form a valuable part of the course which all students are expected to attend, may also be charged.
Enrichment
The vocational nature of this course enables students to develop their sport specific knowledge alongside their main studies. During the course of their studies, students will be provided with the opportunity to enhance their learning and CV through a wide variety of activities such as sports development opportunities, and NGB Coaching Qualifications with our many sports providers.
Students will also benefit from attending visits to sports and leisure venues and from receiving tuition/guest lectures from experts within the industry.
All sport students are expected to gain further experience within sports enrichment at the college; whether it is playing with one of the many sports teams to gaining experience coaching or refereeing, there are lots of great opportunities for you.
The vocational nature of this course enables students to develop their sport specific knowledge alongside their main studies. During the course of their studies, students will be provided with the opportunity to enhance their learning and CV through a wide variety of activities such as sports development opportunities, and NGB Coaching Qualifications with our many sports providers.
Students will also benefit from attending visits to sports and leisure venues and from receiving tuition/guest lectures from experts within the industry.
All sport students are expected to gain further experience within sports enrichment at the college; whether it is playing with one of the many sports teams to gaining experience coaching or refereeing, there are lots of great opportunities for you.
Functional Skills
Students will have an opportunity to develop their functional skills through the diversity of teaching methods used. This is inclusive of presentations, leading sports sessions, preparing reports to mention just a few.
Students will have an opportunity to develop their functional skills through the diversity of teaching methods used. This is inclusive of presentations, leading sports sessions, preparing reports to mention just a few.
Progression
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma is a nationally recognised A-level standard course that facilitates employment within the industry due to its vocational relevance and emphasis on the development employability skills.
Many St Brendan’s students have used the course to progress on to higher education where there are many foundation and full degrees in a range of sporting disciplines.
Employment in the Leisure and Recreation industry could include a wide variety of careers such as Teacher, Sports Therapy, Sports Development Officer, Community Coach, Fitness Instruction or employment in other fields of sport & leisure.
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma is a nationally recognised A-level standard course that facilitates employment within the industry due to its vocational relevance and emphasis on the development employability skills.
Many St Brendan’s students have used the course to progress on to higher education where there are many foundation and full degrees in a range of sporting disciplines.
Employment in the Leisure and Recreation industry could include a wide variety of careers such as Teacher, Sports Therapy, Sports Development Officer, Community Coach, Fitness Instruction or employment in other fields of sport & leisure.
Where can this course lead?
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