Vocational qualifications are either work-related qualifications designed to enable students to gain the skills required to perform a particular job , or qualifications that may be taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
Schools and colleges may offer qualifications that are not included in the DfE performance tables, if approved for teaching to 16-19 year olds by the Secretary of State for Education in England under Section 96, where this is in the best interests of individual students.
This qualification is a mandatory component of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and School Sport, offered in the Active Leisure footprint.The 1st4sport Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supporting the Delivery of Physical Education and School Sport (QCF) develops knowledge and skills to allow individuals to support the delivery of physical education and school sport (PESS) programmes in a school sport environment. While it is delivered through the medium of PESS, the skills may be used by students aspiring to work in other sporting roles, such as coaching.
This qualification is awarded on a Pass/Fail basis. All 12 mandatory units must be passed for a learner to be awarded the qualification.
This qualification is internally assessed in its entirety.
Students are provided with pre-standardised assessment tools and templates, and centres provided with assessment guidance in order to assess that students work effectively. These tools and templates have been developed to ensure full coverage of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
Internal quality assurance is required for all centres, and external quality assurance is conducted at regular intervals by subject-specific external quality assurers deployed by 1st4sport Qualifications.
There are a number of key considerations for HEPs when reviewing vocational qualifications that are not listed on the DfE 16-19 performance tables for England:
- Some of these qualifications are occupational, and may not be designed specifically for progression to HE.
- Applicants holding these qualifications may be school or college leavers, however, some may be more mature students who are likely to have other relevant experience alongside these qualifications.
- These qualifications may have been taken as part of a wider study programme or an apprenticeship.
- If they are presented for admission to HE it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications.
In respect of this qualification:
- Students who have successfully achieved this qualification will have experience of operating in a school environment, planning and delivering physical education and school sport sessions.
- They will also have an understanding of the teaching profession and possess a foundation knowledge of this area. The qualification would provide a good foundation for students looking to train as a teacher, particularly in this subject area.
- This qualification is 283 GLH. If it is presented for admission to HE it is likely to be in conjunction with other qualifications, normally also as part of an apprenticeship structure
- Applicants for higher education may present this qualification from 2017