BTEC Sport (Discovery) / Physical Education (Excel)

Exam Board:

Pearson – The Discovery Academy
OCR – Excel Academy

What will I study on the course:

You will gain a practical introduction to the sport and physical activity sector, exploring how it operates and developing skills relevant to participation, coaching, and fitness. Key components include:

• Component 1: Understanding the Sport and Physical Activity Sector – Investigating different types of sport/physical activity providers (e.g., clubs, gyms, schools), equipment/technology used, barriers to participation, and how organisations support involvement.
• Component 2: Planning and Leading Sports and Physical Activity Sessions – Learning principles of training, fitness components, nutrition, psychology for performance, and planning/delivering safe, effective sessions (including warm-ups, cool-downs, and adaptations for different participants).
• Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity – Applying knowledge to design and implement fitness training programmes, conducting fitness tests, analysing results, and evaluating improvements in performance. The course combines theory with hands-on practical activities (e.g., leading sessions, fitness testing), emphasising real-world application, safety, inclusivity, and the benefits of sport for health and wellbeing.

How is the course assessed:

A mix of internal and external assessment (graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* at Level 2, or Level 1 equivalents; no traditional GCSE tiers):

• Component 1: Understanding the Sport and Physical Activity Sector – Internally assessed (Pearson-set assignment/coursework), 30% – Portfolio exploring providers, participation, and equipment.
• Component 2: Planning and Leading Sports and Physical Activity Sessions – Internally assessed (Pearson-set assignment/coursework), 30% – Planning and delivering practical sessions, with evidence from observations and reflections.
• Component 3: Developing Fitness to Improve Other Participants’ Performance in Sport and Physical Activity – Externally assessed (synoptic supervised task or exam, typically 1 hour 30 minutes), 40% – Designing and evaluating fitness programmes based on scenarios. Total guided learning hours: 120. Assessments focus on practical application, with portfolios including plans, evidence of delivery, and evaluations.

Post-16 courses:

Level 3 BTEC National in Sport (equivalent to A Levels), T Levels in Sport, Coaching & Fitness or Management & Administration, apprenticeships (e.g., sports coach, fitness instructor), or A Levels in Physical Education or Biology. A good grade supports progression to college/sixth form for sport, coaching, or related pathways.

Careers:

Sports coach, fitness instructor/personal trainer, PE teacher, sports development officer, physiotherapist, sports therapist, leisure centre manager, outdoor activities instructor, or roles in professional sport, youth clubs, or community fitness programmes. The UK sport and fitness sector is growing, with opportunities in schools, clubs, gyms, and elite performance.

Specific advantages:

This vocational course is highly practical and engaging, with lots of hands-on sport, fitness testing, and leading sessions – ideal for students who love physical activity over pure theory. It builds employable skills early (e.g., planning, leadership, communication), suits those aiming for sport-related careers, and often involves real participants for authentic experience. At Discovery Academy, with its strong sporting reputation and wide variety of sports available at lunch/after school, it fits the vocational options perfectly, helping build confidence and relevance in a supportive environment.

How useful it is in the real world: