NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Sports Coaching)

Who is this course for?

Are you interested in becoming a PE Teacher, a Sports Coach or Manager, a Fitness Instructor, or do you just enjoy learning about sport?

This course enables you to focus on improving your own or other athletes’ performance through coaching, fitness training, technology, psychology, and nutrition. The theoretical background to sports activities and exercise is reinforced with practical learning and assessment.

Over the two years, you will cover a range of different topics that can include: Anatomy and Physiology, Coaching, Fitness, Nutrition, Psychology for Sports and Performance, Practical Team Sports, and Individual Sports. Other options may also be on offer, such as: Leadership in Sport, Sports Injuries, Sport and Massage, Organising a Sports Event, Fitness Training and Programming.

What are the entry requirements for the course?

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) or higher, one of these must be either Maths or English Language, in addition to science and preferably P.E.

How long is this course?

A two-year full-time course beginning in September and finishing in June.

What will I study on this course?

A range of sports related topics over two years. The qualifications are designed to give learners the skills, knowledge and understanding of the sport and physical activity sector. These qualifications will act as a steppingstone to a range of occupations, often through the route of higher education.

There are eighteen units to be completed:

Exercise, Health and Lifestyle – learners will understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and provide lifestyle improvement strategies to an individual. Learners will investigate the impact of various factors such as exercise, alcohol and diet on a person’s lifestyle. Learners will then assess an individual’s lifestyle and create a health related physical activity plan.

Preparing for a Career in Sport and Physical Activity – learners will recognise the employment opportunities and trends in the sport and physical activity sector. They will prepare for a chosen career in the sector before undertaking and reviewing their performance in an interview for a sport and physical activity job.

Sports Coaching – aims to give learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills required for coaching and allows them to plan and deliver effective coaching sessions.

Coaching Special Populations – allows the learner to enhance knowledge and understanding of sports coaching for special populations groups. The unit looks at differences in delivery methods, activities and coaching practice for specific groups of participants, meaning learners have practical experience of delivery with these groups.

Analysis of Sports Performance – learners will understand the factors that influence the performance of an athlete. Learners will analyse the performance of a selected athlete and provide feedback to the athlete based on this assessment. Learners will understand the importance of observing, analysing and evaluating sports skills and techniques.

Fitness Testing for Sport and Exercise – learners will understand laboratory and field-based fitness tests. Learners will undertake health screening techniques and deliver appropriate fitness tests for selected individuals. The learner will consider the results of the fitness tests and make conclusions Fitness Training and Programming – earners will understand the different methods of fitness training and will prepare fitness training sessions for the different components of physical fitness. Learners will create, monitor and review a fitness training programme.

Leadership in Sport – learners will understand the qualities, characteristics and roles of effective sports leaders. They will understand the importance of psychological factors in leading sports activities. Learners will plan and lead their own sports activity session, reviewing its effectiveness Work Experience in Sport – learners will understand work–based opportunities in sport and they will develop their own skills by undertaking and reviewing a work-based experience.

Practical Team Sports – allows learners to participate in contrasting team sports and explore the sports skills, tactics, rules and regulations, including team formations and phases of play. In the second part of the unit learners will develop, practice and refine these skills and tactics in their selected team sports. Learners will also analyse their own performance and that of others, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, including development of improvement strategies.

Practical Individual Sports – allows learners to participate in individual sports. Learners will explore the sports’ skills, tactics, rules and regulations. In the second part of the unit learners will develop, practice and refine these skills and tactics in their selected sport. Learners will also analyse their own performance and that of others, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, including development of improvement strategies.

Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport – the learner will understand the technical skills and tactics demanded by selected sports. Learners will assess their own technical and tactical skills as a sports performer in a chosen sport. Learners will produce a development plan to further enhance their own technical and tactical ability in a chosen sport.

Psychology for Sports Performance – learners will develop their knowledge of psychology theory and how it affects sports performance. Learners will understand what affects personality, motivation, anxiety and arousal and apply this to assess the psychological skills of an athlete. Learners will plan a psychological skills training programme in order to enhance the performance of an athlete.

Sports Nutrition – learners will understand the structure and function of the digestive system, the importance of hydration and the components of a balanced diet in relation to sports performance. Learners will know how to plan an appropriate diet plan for a selected sports performer and activity.

Principles of Anatomy and Physiology – learners explore the structure and function of various body systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, skeletal and energy systems. Learners will examine how these systems respond to different types of exercise.

Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise – learners will understand the principles of safe and effective physical activity and exercise sessions. They will design a physical activity/exercise programme before planning and delivering their own session. Learners will then review the design of their programme and the delivery of their session.

Sports Injuries – learners will understand causes of common sports injuries and how these can be prevented. Learners will understand the physiological and psychological effects of sports injuries and will understand the methods of treatment for sports injuries. Learners will plan treatment and rehabilitation programmes for sports injuries.

Sport and Exercise Massage – learners will understand the effects and benefits of sports massage. Learners will produce a treatment plan for an athlete and use appropriate massage techniques throughout the treatment. Learners will review the treatment plan and their own performance to suggest further treatment opportunities and areas for own improvement.

What Qualification will I gain?

NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (equivalent to 3 A levels) with additional sport, fitness and OA related opportunities and qualifications available.

Will I go out on work experience?

Courses at Highlands are about preparing you for the world of work. As part of your course, you will learn how to go about presenting yourself to an employer to stand the best chance of getting the job you are looking for. You will spend at least one week in a work placement.

What does this course lead on to?

This 3 A level equivalent course can help towards any of the following careers, (48 – 168 UCAS points):

Higher Education:

University College Jersey (Highlands College) Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND) in Sport and Exercise Science, with further progression to a BA top-up degree.

Study at a UK or International University.

How much will it cost?

There are no fees for this course but students must obtain a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) – £45 and enrol on the Update Service (£13).

How can I find out more?

For further information, please contact the Highlands College Admissions team on 608582 or email: fulltimeapplications@highlands.ac.uk.

Additional Information

The objectives of these qualifications are to allow learners to gain an in-depth understanding of the sport and physical activity sector, give learners the opportunity to investigate career opportunities in the sport and physical activity sector, and allow learners to choose content which relates to their own interests, aspirations, and progression choices. Work experience and enrichment opportunities exist within the course to broaden the student experience.

All 6th form courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. Where a course does not meet the required number it will be reluctantly cancelled for that academic year. Affected applicants will be contacted and offered a transfer to another course if a suitable one is available.

International students should contact Jersey Immigration on immigration@gov.je before making an application.