Thinking about teaching BTEC Sport?
We interviewed Tom Woodrow, a BTEC teacher of 7 years, about why his school, Ormiston Denes Academy, delivers BTEC Sport.ÌýTom discusses the adaptability and freedom of teaching BTEC qualifications, whilst also exploring learner progression.
What do you enjoy most about teaching BTEC?ÌýÌý
TheÌýflexibilityÌýoffered by the BTEC has ensured we can deliver the BTEC First, the BTEC Tech Award in SportÌýand alsoÌýimplement the PE curriculum. This gives me theÌýfreedom to teach units which coincide with core PE lessons, giving my students extra support and provision to aid their learning.Ìý TheÌýassignments can also be adaptedÌýto ensure that students learn the information in a way which isÌýmeaningful and suited to their needs.ÌýÌý
Whether this is teaching students to plan, design and implement a successful 6-week trainingÌýprogrammeÌýor teaching them the skills and knowledge needed to make them better sports players.ÌýAll ofÌýthe set tasks and scenarios have a real purposeÌýensuring students gain real-life skills.ÌýTheseÌýtransferable skillsÌýcan be used in the next step of their educational journey or out into the wider world.Ìý
BTECs are accessible to every type of learner and can be adapted to suit the needs, facilities and resources of the centre.
What skills do you think your BTEC helps your learners to develop?ÌýÌý
There are so many skills which my learners develop through the BTEC course. One of the main skills they improve is theirÌýconfidenceÌýto speak in front of an audience. Whether this is through developing communication skills when leading a mini sports session or umpiring a game of badminton.
Their ability to work independently when completing assignments allows BTEC learners to think for themselves.
Would you recommend BTEC to another school or teacher?Ìý
Yes, throughout a BTEC course you can beÌý100% accurate with tracking the progress of your students. BTEC students areÌýassessed throughout the courseÌýand also get the option of aÌýsecond attempt at improving their gradeÌýin the external unit/exam. This ensures learners revise even harder when they know it’s their final attempt.Ìý Ìý
What advice would you give to a BTEC teacher about how to best teach BTEC?ÌýÌý
If it's yourÌýfirst timeÌýplanning and delivering a BTEC, I would recommend getting in touch with theÌýSubject AdvisorsÌýfrom ÃÛÌÒapp. They are always more than happy to spend quality time talking through individual units and the best ways to deliver the content with the resources at your disposal. There is alsoÌýplenty of exemplar workÌýon the ÃÛÌÒapp's website with differentiated work graded at pass, merit and distinction. This gives you a good insight into the grading of BTEC qualifications.Ìý Ìý
Have you got any examples of learners going on to do great things after their BTEC?ÌýÌý
One BTEC learner who left Ormiston Denes Academy one year ago has gone onto qualifying as a referee and is currently working to reach the highest level of refereeing. This learner alsoÌýhas aspirationsÌýof attending Loughborough University to study Sport and Exercise Science.Ìý Ìý
What advice would you give to learners currently studying from home?ÌýÌý
Do your best with the work and resources you have at your disposal. We all know these are challenging times and teachers appreciate the work and extra demands which are being placed on studentsÌýat the momentÌýto work from home.Ìý ÌýÌý