Sport and Outdoor Activities

This course combines the practical and theoretical elements of the Outdoor Activities Industry and is equivalent to three A Levels. It will prepare you for employment within the Outdoor Adventure industry or to progress on to University to study the subject at a higher level.

This course is ideal if you enjoy and want to develop your skills and leadership in outdoor and adventurous activities. The course is suitable for those that are enthusiastic, hard working and willing to push their comfort zone.

You will be taught at Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre. Lectures will be both theoretical and practical. Assessment is mainly through coursework set by your lecturers, along with some externally assessed aspects.

Additional qualifications:
You will be offered the opportunity to achieve the National Governing Body qualifications in a number of Outdoor Activities. An additional cost will be charged for these, the cost of which is dependent upon the National Governing Body. Those students who have not achieved grade 4 in Maths will be expected to continue towards achieving this whilst on the course.

What topics will I study? 

The course consists of 12 units of study which is made up of the following units:

• Personal Skills Development in Outdoor Activities
• Applied Leadership and Instructing in Outdoor Activity
• Outdoor Activity Provision
• Impact and Sustainability of Outdoor Activities
• Health and Safety Factors in Outdoor Learning
• Expedition Experience
• Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Research Project in Sport
• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Fitness Training
• Anatomy and Physiology in Sport

You will:

• Continue the development of your outdoor activity skills within kayaking, canoeing, climbing, sailing, caving and hill walking and navigation skills
• Develop your leadership skills, practice and experience
• Become competent in assessing and managing equipment, facilities and risk
• Gain advanced skills in a range of water based and land based adventurous activities
• Participate in work experience, study trips and expeditions to Cornwall, Eryri (Snowdonia) and a ski trip to the Alps
• Study topics such as nutrition and sustainable outdoor adventure

This course is studied on its own and cannot be combined with other courses, although you will be expected to work towards an appropriate level 2 qualification in Maths if you do not have grade 4 at GCSE in this subject.

Future Steps: On completion of this course you may wish to progress to a degree or enter the outdoor activities industry directly through employment. Future job roles might include Outdoor Activity Instructor at Haven Banks, PGL, Rockley Watersports or Mountain Bike Instructor or ski guiding in the Alps.

You will need a grade 4 in English Language. If you do not have a grade 4 in Maths, you will be required to work towards an appropriate Level 2 qualification in this subject. Plus, you will need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or equivalent.

You will also be required to have a desire to participate and engage with a range of outdoor activities in a variety of environments and weather conditions. The personal qualities required to work in the outdoor and adventurous activities industry are essential.

You will have access to all of the facilities at Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre as well as the Exeter College facilities which include; the Learning Resource Centres, refectories, Gym and many others.

• You will need to supply your own stationery
• Course fees (£170) to cover instructors NGB training, some residentials, minibus use