Sport & Physical Activity (Vocational)

At Harris Rainham Sixth Form our students study a Cambridge Technical in Sport and Physical Activity.

The two pathways offered are, the Level 3 Extended Certificate and the Level 3 Diploma. The Cambridge Technical urges the students to engage in a course that is academically rigorous yet adaptable in its units of study. This freedom to select units allows us to contextualise the course to our intake, provide consistency with our Key Stages 3 and 4 previously learnt knowledge, and develop students understanding in order to access further study in the sporting field at university, apprenticeships or industry-specific jobs.

The aims are to:

• equip students with both a depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills relating to scientific, socio-cultural and practical aspects of sport and physical activity.
• develop theoretical knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin physical activity and sport and use this knowledge to improve performance.
• understand how physiological and psychological states affect performance.

Year 12 - Extended Certificate:

The curriculum is chronological because students will begin their learning journey studying unit 1, whereby students develop their knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology in an examined unit, which looks at the major bones, muscles and joints and their adaptations during both the short- and long-term during exercise.

They will also study how the respiratory and cardiovascular systems work in relation to performance and their long- and short-term effects. This unit then concludes with a study of the makeup of the body’s three energy systems and when each is needed during different sporting events. This is a fundamental knowledge base for understanding and applying lifelong learning and health relatable issues for students to then apply within their own or a client’s needs.

Students will then go on to study Unit 3, in which they will study the structure of sport within the UK and the roles of UK government departments and national governing bodies and supportive bodies.

They will then study the sport development triangle and the potential barriers to participation. Followed by looking at specific target groups and what the major barriers to participation are, and the measures that can be taken about trying to increase participation.

Lastly, they will then look at the success criteria of each measure, and its impact. The next Unit of Study is Unit 8, Organising Sports Events, this is designed to enable students to develop skills in planning, promoting and delivering a sports event. With the focus primarily on planning, delivering and then reflecting on your input and opportunities for future personal development. This unit enables students to establish transferable skills which can be used within sport and active leisure as well as within the fitness industry. It will also enhance skills such as teamwork, organisation and safeguarding awareness.

Year 12 - Diploma

Students will begin their learning journey by studying unit 17, Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation. This unit will teach students how to recognise and treat common chronic and acute sports injuries. Students gain an understanding of first aid, and how to develop a rehabilitation programme for an athlete and injury of their choice.

Students will then move to study for an externally assessed examination unit, Working Safely in Sport, Exercise, Health and Leisure. Students will gain an understanding of key health and safety legislations, know how to administer emergency first aid, as well as understanding roles, responsibilities and reporting duties in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Finally, they will gain knowledge of key health and safety documents, including how to carry out risk assessments.

Students will then progress to studying unit 11, Physical activity for specific groups. This unit looks at different target groups, and the physiological, psychological and sociological benefits of participating in physical activity and why these particular groups are targeted by initiatives.

Students then move on to plan suitable physical activity sessions for the groups identified. The final unit of study Is Unit 13, looks at sports leadership and fitness testing. This links into unit 1’s agenda of knowing the human body’s involvement within sport and exercise. This allows them to understand baseline testing and evaluating training methods for performance outcomes.

Year 13 - Extended Certificate

Students begin the year by studying unit 18, Practical skills in sport and physical activity. This provides students with the opportunity to participate in a number of different sports and outdoor and adventurous activities which they may later be coaching, teaching or leading.

Students are assessed on their practical ability in one team sport, one individual sport and an outdoor adventurous activity. Students will conclude the year with unit 2, sports coaching and activity leadership. This looks at the running of a coaching session with a group for sport and exercise. Students will plan and lead their own sessions which enables them to have the opportunity to deliver and present in front of a group, taking control of the outcomes over a given time frame.

Year 13 - Diploma

Students will begin with studying unit 5, Performance analysis in sport and exercise, This unit provides students with the skills and knowledge required to carry out performance profiling and analysis and deliver feedback to the performers in a manner that is suitable for them. Finally, within unit 19, students will understand psychological factors that can have an impact of both sports performance and potentially the lack of enjoyment for sport. This ties into a previously learnt unit, of surrounding issues and barriers that can hinder optimal performance.