Open Event
4 November 2026
Join us at our Open Event and discover what makes St John Rigby one of the most popular choices for students across the region.
This course is equivalent to one GCSE and is completed over one year. Students will explore a range of topics relating to sport, physical activity and wellbeing, developing their knowledge of the sports industry while building practical, communication and teamwork skills. The course combines both theoretical and practical elements, providing a strong foundation for further study or progression into sport-related careers.
You will be assessed through a combination of practical performance, written coursework and an external assessment. The course is designed to give you opportunities to demonstrate what you know, as well as apply your knowledge and skills in practical sporting situations. You will complete assignments throughout the course, with assessment taking place through a mixture of written tasks, practical activities, planning and evaluation. You will receive regular feedback to help you develop your knowledge, skills and confidence throughout the course.
You will develop your knowledge, understanding and practical skills across four exciting areas of sport and fitness.
Unit 1 – Fitness for Sport and Exercise
Explore the components of fitness, principles of training, different training methods and fitness testing. You will learn how fitness can be developed and measured to improve sporting performance.
Unit 2 – Practical Sports Performance
Develop your practical sporting skills and
understanding of rules, regulations and scoring systems. You will demonstrate and evaluate your skills, techniques and tactics in selected sports.
Unit 3 – Applying the Principles of Personal Training
Learn how to design, implement and review a personal fitness training programme. You will explore how the body responds to exercise and how training can be adapted to achieve individual fitness goals.
Unit 4 – Leading Sports Activities
Develop your leadership skills by learning how to plan, organise and deliver sports activities. You will explore the qualities and responsibilities of an effective sports leader before putting your skills into practice by leading sporting sessions and reviewing your performance.
This course can provide an excellent foundation for progressing into further study, training or employment within the sport and active leisure industry.
Successful completion can support progression onto Level 3 Sport-related qualifications, including programmes in sport, sports coaching, sport and exercise science and related areas. The practical and leadership skills you develop can also support progression towards careers such as sports coach, fitness instructor, leisure assistant, sports leader or activity leader.
The course will also help you develop valuable transferable skills including communication, teamwork, organisation, leadership, confidence and the ability to work effectively with others.
Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.
If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.
Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment.
As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.