BSc (Hons)Sports Coaching and Physical Education

Core modules

Coaching And Volunteering

During this module you will explore the theories that underpin the subject of coaching and volunteering, you will engage with various topics and learning styles and opportunities. This will ensure that you are given different ways to learn and in turn gain confidence in doing so.

Foundations of Learning and Coaching

This module will look to develop your confidence and skills in planning and practical delivery. It is important to ensure that your delivery is safe, progressive, and purposeful for all participants. In this module, you will explore theory and apply this in practice to provide the best possible sessions for your participants in the future.

Physical Education

During this module, you will explore theory and how to apply this in practice in order to deliver high quality sessions in the future, with an emphasis on application of the National Curriculum. You will explore educational challenges within a contemporary climate, identify core values in the delivery of PE, sociology of education, and the construction of knowledge and recognition of PE in society. You will be given the opportunity to observe outward facing PE sessions, and will use these sessions to apply and critique the theory learnt during the module.

Physical Education in Practice

When working in physical education it is essential that you acquire both practical and theoretical knowledge to teach. In this module you will advance your ability to construct lessons through meticulous planning, further develop your teaching skills and your ability to reflect on your experiences. You will also develop your pedagogical skills in teaching a range of practical activities including invasion games, net & wall games, striking & fielding games, dance and gymnastics for key stages 1 to 4.

Research and Study Skills

Each week you will explore a different topic area that will help prepare you for your ‘research journey’. You will ask yourself: what is research; why is it important; and how do I successfully undertake it? Learning will encompass how to locate and use information, how to evaluate the quality of the information found, and how to analyse research design. You will explore research examples and be challenged to identify a potential research area that is of interest to you.

Sport and Physical Activity Landscape

During this module you will explore the theoretical concept of sport development, sociology of sport, and be introduced to its structural and organisational origins. You will be involved in discussions and debates regarding contemporary research and topical issues in the practice of sport development. You will develop knowledge of the relationship between sport, physical activity and society, as they are needed for informed decision making in relation to understanding the landscape of sport and physical activity.

Core modules

Community Innovation Projects

This module gives you an opportunity to understand how to design your very own Community Innovation Project (CIP) that uses sport, and/or physical activity as a tool to address a social problem. Social problems surround us in sport, health, nutrition and physical activity contexts. For example, very few people adhere to the recommended levels of physical activity in the UK. Also, we are presented with key issues around health inequalities, obesity, crime, racism, disability and female under representation. This module empowers you to look at social problems such as these in our surrounding communities and create your own solution through the form of a CIP.

Designing a Curriculum

This module will prepare you with the essential knowledge and skills to create, implement, and evaluate effective curricula within the context of sports coaching and physical education. You will explore theories, frameworks, and educational policies influencing curriculum development and design programs that address the diverse needs of learners.

Inclusive Practice in Sport and Physical Activity

Working within the sport and physical activity sector it is important to have an understanding of your participants and their diverse needs. This module aims to equip you with both the theoretical and practical understanding of the ways in which coaching practice differs to create an inclusive environment. The module will explore good practice within the sport and physical activity sector with a particular focus on gender, ethnicity, age, disability, and income levels. You will be encouraged to engage in evidence-based discussions, develop an understanding the barriers faced by the special population groups and develop an understanding of the role as a practitioner within the field.

Policy in Practice

This module will help you consider a range of policy considerations relating to your own career pathway. Policy is a controversial area that constantly changes, and has become increasingly influential for those working within the education, sport and physical activity sector. You will have the opportunity to synthesise how policy is developed and engage in discussion and debate across a range of topical policy issues. You will be challenged to explore your existing ideas and actively seek new knowledge in order to develop your critical appreciation of how policy impacts practice.

Research Methods

This module is a keystone for your undergraduate degree. It provides you with the fundamental building blocks towards a final year dissertation and equips you with the tools needed to fulfil an independent and academically rigorous research project. Here you will learn about the importance of academic enquiry and develop an awareness of the role of research in sport.

Teaching And Coaching In Schools

This module will provide you first-hand experience in developing children. Unlike previous practical modules you will be delivering your sessions to children within a school environment. While delivering in a school, you will also learn and dissect creative pedagogies that can be applied to allow every child to achieve. You will be encouraged to be critical, creative and applied to ensure that you link theory to practice. As well as challenging your theoretical understanding you will be inspiring children to engage and enjoy the subject. You will develop social and personal growth through the use of group work and the exposure to delivering within a school.

Core modules

Delivering Competitive Sports

This module will encourage you to analyse the way you view coaching and provide you with the tools to critically reflect on your coaching practice. You will examine what makes an expert sports coach and how to adapt delivery within competitive sports including planning, observation, decision making, reflection, practice design and feedback. You will also have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and experience of talent identification and development; and integrating coaching science to support psychological, physiological, biomechanical and tactical development.

Dissertation

In this module, you will research in a discipline related to your degree programme. You will synthesise knowledge from other modules to support the development of a research project that is relevant to your subject area. You will work with a supervisor and will utilise a range of research and academic skills to produce a written dissertation that demonstrates a systematic approach to the research process.

Outdoor Adventure Learning

Outdoor adventure learning is an increasingly important field that contributes to several key areas, including leadership, communication, skill development, and environmental awareness. It has become a crucial component of education at all levels, with a growing body of evidence indicating that outdoor experiences can promote both physical and mental health benefits throughout life. This module allows you to explore how outdoor activities can be used for education, training and skill development. It examines the role of schools, youth services and other community providers, as well as the factors that shape accessing and engaging with outdoor opportunities.

Physical Literacy

The module will provide you with the theoretical and practical understanding of physical literacy to promote physical activity amongst all population groups. The module will provide you with the knowledge associated with being physically active, as well the knowledge and understanding that physical inactivity contributes to poor health, poor well-being, reduced quality of life, and shorter life expectancy. This module will explore our understanding of the importance of physical literacy in overcoming the world wide problem of inactivity.

Professional Practice

This module will enable you to develop your theoretical knowledge learnt through the duration of the course and apply it through a school or sports club placement. You will experience the intricacies of teaching/coaching, and explore policy and practice both at a local and national level. You will utilise your understanding of the philosophy of the subject to affect innovative change. You will be supported through a school or sports club placement, by continuing to critically reflect on the practice you observe.