A NEW course is being offered at Haslingden High School Sixth Form with six students signing up to the Level 3 Sports Leadership Academy.
The OCR Cambridge Technical qualification will see students completing the equivalent of three A levels in the one course and provide a springboard into a sporting career either as a teacher, a coach or in the sports industry.
Head of PE, Wes Haworth said: “The course teaches key leadership skills by offering students practical experience within the PE department at Haslingden High School.
“Although other colleges offer similar courses, we feel ours is unique because students are gaining real school experience working with PE teachers and shadowing them while lessons take place.”
Over two years, they will have 15 taught curriculum lessons each week, take a key role in PE lessons and help to coach and lead after school clubs. All students will be offered the opportunity to complete Level 1 coaching or officiating awards in their chosen sport to gain the necessary experience.
Mr Haworth said: “When they complete the course they will have a portfolio of valuable, worthwhile experience to help them to secure a university teaching course or go forward to a sports course of their choice.
“Hopefully they will be in a really strong position to compete with other students for the best sports courses.”
The school has provided the students with kit and also helped fund the coaching courses.
Chris Round, 16, already plays football for Walshaw and cricket for Ramsbottom and would like to get a job in sports media, possible as a performance analyst.
Rossendale Amateurs goalkeeper Sam Dawson, 16, has already been introduced to a new sport in his first half-term on the course.
He said: “I was helping to teach volleyball to Year 7s and 8s. This is a sport I had never done before so I could understand it from the students’ perspective and what they were going through.
“I would like to do sports coaching, I wouldn’t mind being a coach at Blackburn Rovers, or become a sports analyst, especially in football.”
Millie Hughes, 16, wants to be a PE teacher.
She said: “I did GCSE PE and although I was not the best at the physical side, I really liked the theory.
“When I first started on this course I was shadowing the teacher, but now when the students are split up into smaller groups I get to take the lead.
“I have helped with gymnastics, badminton and hockey and it is good that the girls I am working with trust me.”
For more information about the course email Mr Haworth at whaworth@haslingdenhigh.com