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• Lapsing

The Sport and Physical Activity Group Award places emphasis on assessing the whole outcome or a combination of outcomes within each of the units rather than on individual knowledge and skills. This reduces the assessment load for both learners and centres.

The unit specifications contain guidance on types of assessment and optional oral/written evidence that can be used, including professional discussion, performance observation and a portfolio or e-portfolio.

Centres are encouraged to use holistic or cross assessment, where possible, and this should be clearly evidenced within a mapping document for internal and external verification purposes.

Assessment support packs may be available for selected units. These can be found on Qualification Scotland’s secure website.

• 2022 Qualification Verification Summary Report (124 KB)

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This guidance is optional. You can use this guidance or deliver and assess as outlined in the group award specification.

Optional assessment guidance (399 KB)

See also the general HNVQ optional assessment guidance: Information and guidance for centres.

Centres delivering this qualification must have suitably qualified staff for each of the subject components. Your centre should already have established processes to ensure staff are appropriately qualified to deliver in this subject area. New centres must also have staff who have the relevant subject knowledge and can demonstrate this with an SCQF level 6 or above in a sport, physical activity or exercise and fitness based subject qualification, or a relevant industry-recognised qualification. This subject knowledge would be based on the optional units selected.

Learners should have access to a range of sports equipment, including but not limited to a selection for each of the following:

• environments such as games halls, outdoor multi use games area or equivalent
• sports equipment such as footballs, basketballs, badminton equipment, volleyballs, and hockey
• cones, markers and bibs
• fitness testing equipment such as blood pressure monitors, stadiometers, and sit and reach boxes
• cardiovascular equipment
• fixed resistance machines including a cable pulley
• free weight equipment, including barbells, dumbbells, Olympic bars, weight plates, adjustable benches, squat or power rack, and appropriate flooring
• functional exercise equipment including medicine balls, kettlebells, Swiss balls, mats, powerbags and plyo boxes

The NC in Sport and Physical Activity at SCQF level 5 is designed for a wide range of learners who want to develop related knowledge and skills, including:

• school leavers
• adults returning to education
• learners with an interest in sport and physical activity
• learners who currently work in the industry
• learners who are currently studying this subject area

You will develop your knowledge in anatomy and physiology, nutrition, wellbeing and health, principals of exercise, and communication. You will apply that knowledge through practical components sport performance and officiating, as well as teamwork.

You will also have the option to develop important knowledge and skills within key areas of the industry such as sport coaching, sports development, resistance training and sports therapy.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

You would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

• SVQ at SCQF level 4 in appropriate subjects
• occupationally relevant skills and experience (for direct entrants)
• NC in Sport and Fitness (SCQF level 4)
• National 4 qualifications or equivalent in appropriate subjects

It would be beneficial for you to have some experience in sports coaching, or in a fitness sport and leisure environment.

The qualification contains units that provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills which will enable you to seek employment in a variety of roles within the sporting industry or allow progression to relevant pathway at SCQF level 6.

Successful completion of the NC in Sport and Physical Activity may lead to career opportunities which include but are not limited to the following contexts:

• sports coaching and/or activity leadership
• active school roles
• sports development
• disability sports development
• fitness or gym staff
• leisure centre staff
• swimming pool staff
• health and fitness staff

Employers may include the following: local authorities, leisure trusts, national and sports governing bodies (NGB and SGB), local sports organisations, private clubs and hotels.

The practical nature of the course will equip learners practically within the promotion and development aspects of sports, physical activity and health, or one of the other chosen pathways. There is a strong emphasis on developing the practical skills relevant to the sport and physical activity sector.

The successful completion of the course may lead to a number of pathways in Sport and Physical Activity at SCQF level 6.

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