Course description
The outdoor adventure/education industry is a rapidly developing sectors providing increasing variety and opportunities to successful students. These include positions in outdoor centres as activity instructors, expedition leaders/support staff, teaching roles and specialist adventure sport coaches. This course covers a wide range of specialist subject areas, leading to the development of organisational and leadership skills alongside practical skills in a range of land and water based activities. This makes the course ideally suited to individuals who have an interest or aptitude for adventure sport. Alongside developing the attributes desirable for employment within the industry students will also generate the skills needed to progress onto the Intensive Instructor Training Course. Students will need to demonstrate a keen interest in developing both their own technical skills and those of others. Although it is not necessary to have a high level of fitness, students will be required to undertake a range of physical activity in order to meet the course requirements.
Indicative Programme Content
The course is made up of 13 units. These units are based on a modular system allowing for flexibility of Work Experience opportunities. Over two years students will study the following units:
Core Units
- Principles of anatomy and physiology in sport
- The physiology of fitness
- Assessing risk in sport
- Fitness training and programming
- Leadership in sport
- Principles and practices in outdoor adventure
- Equipment and facilities for outdoor and adventurous activities
Specialist Units
- Sports coaching
- Organising Sports Events
- Physical education and the care of children and young people, etc.
Additional Qualifications
There will be opportunities throughout the year to study additional qualifications that relate to the Outdoor Education Sector. These may include:
- NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme)
- BMC (British Mountaineering Council)
- NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme)
- RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
- BCU (British Canoe Union)
- Appropriate first aid qualifications
- College award, functional skills or GCSEs in English and maths
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Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Students should hold 4 GCSE passes, including English and Mathematics at grade C or above, An Intermediate GNVQ in a related subject plus 2 GCSEs including English & Maths, A Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in a related subject at Merit level or above plus 2 GCSEs including English & Maths at C or above. To progress from Subsidiary Diploma to Diploma or Extended Diploma, students must achieve a merit grade at Subsidiary Diploma and be recommended by their tutor for progression. Mature students who do not possess any of the above qualifications will be considered individually.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
National Certificate/Diploma