CTEC Sport and Physical Activity

CTEC Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity

Who are these qualifications for?

These qualifications are for learners who want to develop their skills in preparation for employment in the Sport and Physical Activity sector. The qualification is not just about being able to play sports or deal with elite athletes; employers need people who are able to develop sports skills for teams and individuals, work with clients and participants to improve their fitness and change their lifestyles and monitor progress and improvement over time, adapting practices and approaches to suit the needs of individuals. Therefore, this qualification will develop learners’ skills in preparation for employment in sports coaching or personal training either through an apprenticeship or directly into work. It could also provide a route into Higher Education on a sport-related programme such as Sport and Physical Education, Sport Science or Sport Coaching and Development.

What do these qualifications cover?

Everyone will study the following mandatory units:

• Body systems and the effects of physical activity
• Sports coaching and activity leadership
• Sports organization and development
• Working safely in sport, exercise, health and leisure
• Performance analysis in sport and exercise (Extended Diploma only)
• Physical activity for specific groups
• Nutrition and diet for sport and exercise (Extended Diploma only)
• Sports injuries and rehabilitation (Extended Diploma only)
• The business of sport (Extended Diploma only)
• Improving fitness for sport and physical activity (Extended Diploma only)
• Organisation of sports event (Extended Diploma only)
• Working in active leisure facilities (Extended Diploma only)
• Practical skills in sport and physical activities (Extended Diploma only)

These units will give learners skills, knowledge and understanding related to key aspects which underpin how sport and physical activity is delivered and organises, such as anatomy and physiology in relation to physical performance, coaching skills, the structure of sport in the UK and the organisations involved, the target groups that would most benefit from participation in physical activity and why and safe practice in sport and leisure.

In addition to the mandatory units, learners will choose to study one of five pathways depending on the further study or career path they wish to pursue. Each pathway has a mandatory unit plus optional units that they can choose from.

Pathways

In addition to the mandatory units, learners following the Diploma qualification will choose to study one of two pathways. These are:

• Sports Coaching
• Personal Training

How is the qualification assessed?

These qualifications are assessed using a combination of:

• External assessment, set and marked by OCR
• Internal assessment, where the teacher assesses learners’ work which is externally moderated by OCR

How are these graded?

Every unit achieved will be graded as pass, merit or distinction. Qualifications are graded using a Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* structure.

Does the qualification carry UCAS points?

Meaningful Employer Involvement

All students must undertake meaningful activity involving employers during their study. Meaningful employer involvement is when:

• Learners undertake structured work-experience or work placements that develop skills and knowledge relevant to the qualification.
• Learners undertake project(s), exercise(s), and/or assessment set with input from industry practitioners.
• Learners take one or more units delivered or co-delivered by an industry practitioner. This could take the form or master classes or guest lectures.
• Industry practitioners operate as ‘expert witnesses’ that contribute to the assessment of a learner’s work or practice, operating within a specified assessment framework.

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