Deliver sport and physical education programmes in an educational setting

URN: SKAPE3
Business Sectors (Suites): Sports Coaching
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about the competence that sports coaches require to deliver sport and physical education programmes in an educational setting. You will use innovative methods and strategies to create a positive and empowering experience, ensure the programme is person-centred and aligned with the Curriculum and evidence-based coaching practice. A high level of emotional intelligence and situational awareness is required to understand and support individuals’ unique profile, development needs and educational targets.
 
This standard is for all sports coaches that have responsibility for a range of individuals in an educational setting.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. build positive and professional relationships with the individuals
  2. create a positive and empowering physical and social experience for the individuals
  3. make sure that effective, adaptable, and flexible safety parameters have been established following health and safety requirements
  4. individualise and differentiate delivery to meet individuals’ unique profile, development needs and educational targets
  5. develop a positive motivational climate to support a holistic approach
  6. facilitate the development of skills and techniques based on appropriate assessment for learning
  7. teach, instruct, coach and mentor individuals to achieve desired targets using relevant approaches and strategies
  8. use technological advancements and products to support your delivery
  9. communicate with the individuals and others at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to their understanding and needs
  10. demonstrate a high level of situational awareness and comprehension of the demands placed on the individuals
  11. assess and manage complex and unpredictable challenges with changing circumstances
  12. use a range of approaches to enable the individuals to give feedback to help them learn from their experience, to reinforce and support further progress and development
  13. follow current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the requirements and expectations of your role
  2. how to create and maintain a positive, professional and trusting relationship with individuals
  3. the importance of empowering the individuals to build self-regulation and resilience
  4. the different approaches including person-centred, pedagogy and their application to adapting own practice to meet the individuals needs and targets
  5. the importance of effective, adaptable, and flexible safety parameters following health and safety requirements
  6. positive learning environments and behaviour management strategies relevant to individuals needs
  7. methods of differentiating in order to respond to individuals different learning preferences
  8. relevant theories of human and social development, physical literacy and models of psychology involved in facilitating and delivering programmes
  9. a range of technological advancements and products that can support the delivery of programmes
  10. the socioeconomic, geographical, environmental and legal considerations in relation to the implementation of technologies
  11. a broad range of suitable communication tools, strategies and techniques that will support the individuals to meet their unique profile, development needs and educational targets
  12. what and how to apply emotional and cultural intelligence to effectively engage with individuals
  13. situational awareness and comprehension of the programme demands
  14. the importance of monitoring and anticipating the physical and emotional demands of the programme
  15. the broad range of appropriate approaches to enable the individuals to give feedback to help them learn from their experience
  16. the national trend, strategies and initiatives in physical education settings
  17. how to deliver sport and physical education programmes that are consistent with the principles of periodisation, aligned with the Curriculum and evidence-based coaching practices
  18. current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Sport and physical education programmes
Structured, progressive learning within the school curriculum, organised activities beyond the curriculum or any movement using energy, including physical education, sports, dance, play, adventurous and outdoor activities.
 
Holistic development
Recognises students as individuals with diverse needs beyond academics. It focuses on fostering personal growth, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose. The goal is to develop well-rounded, socially responsible, and emotionally intelligent individuals.


Links To Other NOS

This standards links to SKAPE1, SKAPE2, SKAPE4, SKAPE5


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2030

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Skills Active

Original URN

0

Relevant Occupations

Sports Coaches, Teaching Professionals

SOC Code

3442

Keywords

Sport, physical activity, PE, sports coaching