A BTEC provides a unique combination of technical skills that help prepare you for higher education together with a breadth of knowledge about the sector that empowers you to succeed in the real world. This course is designed for individuals with a genuine interest in sport and good sporting general knowledge, as much of the course will involve linking theory that is learned through sporting examples. Successful pupils will be highly motivated and able to consistently meet coursework deadlines.
You will not be directly assessed on your sporting ability. However, there are practical elements of the course that require you to be motivated, enthusiastic and able to regularly participate in practical lessons. You should be willing to take part in practical activities and be able to work with others.
This qualification is equivalent to a single A Level and is an academic, practical and vocational course. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations and activities in addition to several externally set tasks and exams. You will study four units of which three are mandatory and one is optional. The mandatory content is equal to 83% of the course, with external assessments equal to 67% of the total qualification.
The mandatory units are anatomy and physiology, fitness training and programming for health, sport and well-being and professional development in the sports industry. The optional unit the school has selected is sports psychology.
You will learn in a variety of styles during this BTEC Level 3 course. You will have both theory and practical lessons and will be able to apply your understanding from theory lessons to practical situations or via activities that will stimulate understanding and application. You will have exam style assessments and homework throughout the two-year course and are expected to keep physically active and try out different sports to widen your knowledge and understanding of sporting methods and skills.
Exeter School’s 25-acre site is well equipped with a range of first-class facilities. In addition to the large playing fields, the school has its own 3G astroturf arena, sports hall and fitness suite, studio area, climbing wall, indoor shooting range, squash courts, and an all-weather court.
Pupils follow the Pearson examination board BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport. Minimum grade 6 in GCSE biology or GCSE double award science. The unit on anatomy and physiology is assessed by a 1.5 hour externally marked exam. The unit on fitness training and programming for health, sport and well-being is assessed through an externally marked paper completed under supervised conditions. Both these units are completed at the end of year one of the course. Resits are available in year two of the course.
The unit on professional development in the sports industry together with sports psychology consist of internally assessed assignments marked by teachers and externally verified.
BTEC sport can lead on to degrees such as sport and exercise science, sport coaching and development, sports therapy, sports management or sports journalism. In addition, BTEC sport can help support applications for university study in other fields in combination with your A Levels. You will need to check in advance that universities and courses that you might be interested in will accept a BTEC in addition to A Levels.
Andy Mason is Head of BTEC sport; formerly the school’s Director of Sport, he has years of experience both within Exeter School and other independent schools.
