Level 3 Sport and Physical Activity Course in Poole for 16 to 18 Year Olds

CostFree for 16 to 18 year olds
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start2 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyOCR awarding body

A sixth-form course for 16 to 18 year olds. Aged 19 or over? See Sports Coaching Courses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

About this course

Free Level 3 Sport and Physical Activity Course in Poole. Classes run at St Edwards Comprehensive School, full-time over two years.

Sport is one of the UK's fastest-growing industries. The course covers coaching, fitness training, sports psychology, nutrition, and sports technology. You'll study how to improve athletic performance at all levels, from grassroots to elite. Units are assessed through exams, written assignments, and practical sessions.

You'll need at least a Grade 5 in GCSE PE and a Grade 5-5 in GCSE Sciences to apply. You'll finish with an OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Sport and Physical Activity.

Who this course is for

Sport is currently one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK and offers a huge range of professions in a variety of different areas. These can be from grass-roots level, all the way through to international level, and can focus on improving students' own or other athletes' performance through coaching, fitness training, technology, psychology or nutrition. Units covered are assessed in the form of externally assessed exams, theoretical based assignments and practical assessments. The students are required to apply both their practical skills and knowledge to the units studied. Designed in collaboration with experts spanning the breadth of the sector, the OCR Level 3 in Sport focuses on the skills, knowledge and understanding that today's universities and employers demand. Students will study an exciting, inspiring and challenging qualification created to develop transferable skills that are essential in for further study. This course is also an ideal foundation for students entering the workplace, because of the combination of a theoretical background that's reinforced with practical learning and assessment. The course will meet the needs of those aspiring to a career in sport coaching, teaching, therapy, sports nutrition and conditioning and Health and Leisure industry. The course not only serves as a route to full time employment within sports related fields. It is also a proven progression route to Higher Education.

Entry requirements

A least a Grade 5 in GCSE PE and Sciences Grades 5-5

What you will learn

  • You'll explore the science behind sports coaching and athletic performance.
  • You'll study sports psychology and how it affects performance.
  • You'll learn about nutrition and its role in fitness and sport.
  • You'll develop knowledge of fitness training methods and programming.
  • You'll examine how technology is used in sport and performance analysis.
  • You'll understand how sport is organised from grassroots to international level.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom lessons, practical sessions, and independent study. Assessment includes externally marked exams, theory-based written assignments, and practical assessments. Each unit is assessed in a different way, so you'll build both academic and hands-on skills across the two years.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. St Edwards Comprehensive School will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Sports coach, works with individuals or teams to develop skills and performance.
  • Fitness instructor, plans and leads exercise sessions for clients.
  • Personal trainer, designs training programmes for individual clients.
  • Sports development officer, promotes participation in sport at community level.
  • Performance analyst, uses data and technology to support athletes.
  • Leisure centre assistant, supports activities and classes at a sports facility.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sport, a broader qualification for those wanting more depth before university.
  • Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching or Sports Science, a higher-level route into specialist roles.
  • Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning, for those focusing on athletic performance.
  • Sports-related degree at university, building on the Extended Certificate for careers in coaching, sports science, or management.

Related courses at St Edwards Comprehensive School

More courses near you