Course Overview
The Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship is designed to develop competent, reflective and professional coaches who can plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality coaching across a range of sporting environments. It is aimed at anyone wanting to or currently working as a sports coach in community, school, club or performance settings who have responsibility for developing participants’ technical, physical and personal skills while employed in a coaching role.
Typically completed over 18 to 24 months, the apprenticeship is delivered through a blended learning approach that combines workplace coaching, workplace learning, online learning and independent study.
Apprentices develop a strong understanding of coaching theories and models of learning, alongside practical skills in session planning, inclusive practice and behaviour management.
Assessment is carried out through workplace observations, professional discussions, a portfolio of evidence and a final end-point assessment that demonstrates occupational competence. On successful completion, apprentices are well prepared to progress into coaching roles, coaching coordination or development roles, higher education, or further professional coaching qualifications.
– High performance sport coaches: develop athletes and players in high-performance settings, including those on talent or development pathways, national or international programmes, professional or podium environments.
– Community sport coaches: motivate and engage people of all ages and abilities in community sports and physical activity settings. community sport includes local authority, charity and national governing body of sport community initiatives or clubs.
– School sport coaches: collaborate with teachers to develop pupils’ mastery of psychomotor skills by applying a whole child approach in their coaching. They work in all categories of school and registered childcare environments.
Topics may include:
- Development of a coaching philosophy and professional practice
- Promotion of holistic wellbeing for all
- Facilitation of learning and skill acquisition to create a positive learning environment
- Influencing behaviour through effectice design and implementation of behaviour management strategies
- Understanding and completion of relevant participant profiling, measuring performance based on psychomotor, physiological, sport specific skills, and social/emotional attributes
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, current trends, and cultural influences for sports coaching.
Assessment Methods
Assessment takes place through on-programme learning with a blend of online learning and in workplace learning and units of study with a variety of assessment tasks to complete.
Final assessment will be at End Point Assessment which will comprise of coaching observation with questions, a presentation of work-based project with questions, and a professional discussion underpinned by portfolio of evidence.
Progression Options
On successful completion, apprentices are well prepared to progress into coaching roles, coaching coordination or development roles, higher education, or further professional coaching qualifications.
Entry Requirements
You will need prior experience coaching in their chosen area and pathway (Community, Schools or High Performance), a Level 4 (Grade C) or above in both English and Maths or the equivalent Functional Skills grade (Level 2), and to have completed a Level 3 qualification, hold a valid coaching qualification or have successfully completed the Level 2 Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
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The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
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All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
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Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
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