BTEC National Award in Sport (equal to 1 A Level) and BTEC National Certificate in Sport (equal to two A Levels)

What are BTEC Nationals?
BTEC Nationals are equivalent to A Levels and are highly valued by universities, higher education institutions and employers. They are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors and are the most popular vocational qualification in the UK.
There are three levels of BTEC Nationals:
1. National Award (one A Level equivalent)
2. National Certificate (two A Level equivalent)
3. National Diploma (Three A Level equivalent)

What BTEC Nationals in sport do we offer?
We offer the National Award, which is undertaken in Year 12 and the National Certificate which is undertaken in Year 13. Students therefore have the choice of stopping at the end of Year 12 and achieving the BTEC National Award (the one A Level equivalent qualification) or continuing into Year 13 for the BTEC National Certificate (the two A Level equivalent qualification)

Why a BTEC National Award in Sport?
This course is the logical next step from the BTEC First Diploma in sport that we have been successfully running at Key Stage 4. Students who have followed this course will be familiar with the requirements of a BTEC. For those that have not, the main points of a BTEC are:
On-going , exam free assessment
Variety of assessment techniques linked to individual learning preferences
Practical and individually tailored work linked to preferred learning styles
Interesting, relevant and interactive work

What does a BTEC National Award or Certificate give you?
BTEC Nationals provide specialist and practical knowledge focusing on particular aspects of employment in the sport and leisure industry. This will provide ideal preparation for higher education or the work place.
Year on year the sport sector outperforms the rest of the UK economy and it is predicted that this will continue to be the case for years to come, long after the London Olympics and Paralympics of 2012 have been and gone. The BTEC Nationals in Sport provide an introduction to the sector for learners looking to build a career in sport, within one of its occupational areas. These include careers in exercise and fitness, coaching, sports development and the outdoors.

BTEC National Award at a glance:
Name of qualification: Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award / Certificate
Equal to: Award = 1 A level; Certificate = 2 A levels
Number of units: Award = 6 units in Year 12; Certificate = 6 further units in Year 13
Overall grade:
Pass (Award = A Level grade E; Certificate = 2 A level grade Es)
Merit (Award = A Level grade C; Certificate = 2 A Level grade Cs)
Distinction (Award = A Level grade A; Certificate = 2 A Level grade As)

What aspects of Sport will I study?
During Year 12, you will study six units:
Three core (compulsory) units:
Body in Action
Health and Safety in Sport
Training and fitness for sport
In addition, three Specialist Units selected from the following:
Sports coaching or Leadership in sport
Sports Development
Fitness Testing for Sport and Exercise
Practical Team Sports or Practical Individual Sports or Outdoor Adventurous Activities
Sport and Society
Exercise, Health and Lifestyle
Working with Children in Sport
Work-based Experience in Sport
Principles and Practices in Outdoor Adventure
uring Year 13, you will study a further six units, 12 in total.

Who should consider choosing BTEC National Award or Certificate in Sport?
Students who enjoy sport
Students who tend not to perform well in exams or normal academic work
Students who prefer working in a more practical and relevant way
Students who wish to go on to study for a sports related subject in higher education or who wish to enter the sports/leisure industry

Finally,
You do not necessarily need to be a good sports performer – you do need to have a desire to learn more about the world of sport in a more practical way

For more information about the course contact Mr Ian Lockren (Assistant Head – 01926 859421 ext 1107) or have a look at the Edexcel website www.edexcel.org.uk