Cambridge Nationals

The Gilberd School has a thriving PE department which champions sport for all. Teachers wanted to engage hands-on learners with a practical alternative to GCSE, while making full use of the school’s facilities.

"We wanted something for students who had chosen GCSE PE, but the course didn’t necessarily suit them. We decided to go with Cambridge Nationals in Sport Studies because it was actually a little bit different to GCSE. We liked the fact that it was coursework based, with only one exam. We also liked the outdoor activities module. We are fortunate to have an outdoor adventure learning space, so we were able to use existing facilities and encourage as many students as possible to get involved."

Cambridge Nationals are highly flexible and teachers at The Gilberd have found that they can tailor the Sport Studies course to individual needs, engaging and enabling students of all abilities.

"It’s a very enjoyable course and interesting to teach. I like the content. I like the fact that we can choose the modules to suit the students, and how varied it is. One week we will be talking about leading an activity and the next week we are officiating. Then it’s something completely different, such as learning about the background of the Olympics."

Alongside flexible content, teachers also benefit from high-quality support and resources. Teaching a new course can be daunting, but straightforward admin has helped Megan and her colleagues to manage the transition.

"Moving to OCR has been new for us this year, and it’s the first time I’ve run a course. You need to be very organised…. The website is very handy. It has lots of different resources, especially for the contemporary issues in sport module. The online admin system is simple to use. It’s all straightforward, now that I know what I’m doing."

Megan has also found that Cambridge Nationals fits with the school’s existing sports programmes and partnerships. The Gilberd has good links with local primary schools, and has arranged for students to coach young pupils as part of the sports leadership module.

The opportunity to act as a coach, manager, teacher or team captain, is a popular aspect of the course. Students can also develop leadership through the outdoor activities unit, which builds skills in a range of challenging environments. From planning and taking part in expeditions to enjoying pursuits such as climbing, the chance to enjoy the great outdoors has appealed to pupils at The Gilberd.

"The students absolutely love the outdoor activities module. They like the fact that it’s not something they would do on a daily basis. So they get to go orienteering or mountain biking, and to learn how to put up a tent. We’ve done outdoor cooking too. They like the fact that it is completely different. We vary our lessons between practical and theory. It gives us the opportunity to get out of the classroom."

Back in school, the students also enjoy contemporary issues in sport, a module which covers topical subjects including high-profile sporting events. With content that’s current and relevant, and a sector-based focus, the students are equally engaged inside the classroom.

"It’s very enjoyable and definitely something which gets the kids really interested, especially the Olympics and the history of sport. They thoroughly enjoy that side of things. When they watch the Olympics they don’t think about the hard work that goes on behind the scenes."

With an engaging mix of theory and practical, Cambridge Nationals in Sport Studies prepares students for a range of pathways, providing a solid foundation for further study or careers. It also builds vital skills for the future, in areas such as communication, problem solving, team working and performing under pressure.

The first cohort of Sport Studies students at The Gilberd School will take various next steps, from entering further education or the military to taking on apprenticeships and discovering the world of work.